Caledonia Argus

Child abuse takes a variety of forms

Posted: 4/16/02

By Shannon McKinney
Argus News Reporter

Physical abuse and neglect happen more often to children than does sexual abuse.

April is national Child Abuse Prevention month. This is the second article The Argus is publishing to increase awareness of the problem of child abuse.

Caledonia Police Chief Duane St. Mary said physical abuse and neglect of children go hand in hand.

He has seen firsthand that abuse and neglect may mean not having food in the house, and having a messy house and dirty dishes in the sink. He said, ìThe kids have to fend for themselves. They go home to garbage piled high. They canít find a clean dish in the house let alone food. The kids canít bring home friends because the place is a mess.î

St. Mary said a financially and emotionally depressed parent may neglect a child.

Parents who physically abuse their children can be male or female. However, according to Houston County Womenís Resources 95% of domestic abuse cases in the home involve a male as the abuser. Domestic abuse in the home involves the presence of fear, intimidation, isolation, emotional abuse, economic abuse, sexual abuse and physical abuse.

It is also a fact that over half (53%) of the men who abuse their wives also beat their children.

Children who live in a situation where there is domestic abuse may be emotionally traumatized when witnessing a parent being abused.

There are different ways to witness domestic abuse. A child may actually see the parent being shoved, kicked, slapped, punched, their hair being pulled or objects thrown.

They may also see a parent being emotionally abused by a verbal put-down, threats, name-calling or being sworn at.

They may witness the aftermath which may include bruises, tears, broken furniture or a phone torn out of the wall.

There may be unseen things such as tension in the air, hearing the screams, sensing the parentís fear, hearing the slaps and cries.

According to the Houston County Womenís Resources, ìHearing the cries of a frightened, abused mother stains a childís memories. Though these are not visible, they leave a scar.î

Children who are abused and live with this type of abuse feel powerless, guilty, angry, confused, afraid, isolated, anxious, sad and ashamed.

Children who are the victims of intentional physical injury are often abused by adults who were once abused themselves.

Houston County maltreatment statistics

In Houston County, according to the Human Services Department, there were 90 calls which were accepted for assessment for maltreatment of children in 2001. Maltreatment encompasses physical, emotional, and sexual abuse and neglect.

Of those 90, 38 cases were substantiated cases of maltreatment.

According to the Houston County Court Administrators office, 32 maltreatment cases were filed.

This filing results in a ChIPS (Child In need of Protective Services) petition where the child may be removed or provides services until the family situation can be resolved or until the child is located to a safe place.

Last year, seven of those ChIPS cases resulted in the termination of parental rights.

Compared to counties of a similar size, Houston County has a slightly higher number of ChIPS petitions and parental terminations.

In neighboring Fillmore County, there were 19 ChIPS petitions last year and three terminations.

In Dodge County, there were 23 ChIPS petitions and two terminations. In Wabasha County, there were 22 Chips petitions and no terminations.

So far this year in Houston County there have been six ChIPS petitions and one termination.

Houston County Human Services said there have been 38 maltreatment reports accepted for assessment from January 1, 2002 through April 8, 2002. Of that number, 30 have been investigated and 14 have been substantiated.

Houston County Court Administrator Darlene Larson isnít sure why this county has more ChIPS petitions and terminations. She doesnít feel itís because there is more child abuse in Houston county.

ìIt may be better reporting. Maybe we should look at that as a positive thing.î she said.

Family reunification not primary goal

Reunification of the family used to be the goal when children were taken out of the home because of abuse.

In March of 2000, however, that attitude changed. Now parents are only given one or two chances to change an abusive home situation or the child will be permanently placed elsewhere. He or she may be adopted out by a family member or someone else.

The law requires that a child under the age of eight can only be out of the home for six months before permanency is established. And for children ages eight and above, permanency must be established in a year.

Larson explained that the best interests of the child are considered first. Children will no longer spend extended periods of time in and out of foster homes.

A ChIPS petitions always takes top priority on the calendar, says Larson, because the child can only spend a limited amount of time outside the home before the childís permanent residence must be established.

Larson said she is glad to see the law go into effect. ìKids lives are short. For us, one month isnít a long time, but 90 days to wait for a hearing, thatís the entire summer vacation for a kid. I donít think people deserve more than one chance. Why should we give people second chances to ruin three or more lives?î

When a ChIPS petition is filed, a determination must be made whether or not to return the child to the home. If the child is returned, the parents may have to work with human services on an individual case plan. Certain requirements like attending parenting classes, counseling or keeping the house clean may have to be met.

Larson said it will be 15 or 20 years before they see if keeping the child out of an abusive home situation works.

One fact we do know, though, is that 80% of men in prison grew up in violent homes.

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