Utah Child Abuse Reporting Laws

Utah Child Abuse Reporting Laws

Everyone in Utah, whether a public official or a private citizen, is required to report child abuse. According to Utah law, "When any person...has reason to believe that a child has been subjected to incest, molestation, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, physical abuse, or neglect, or who observes a child being subjected to conditions or circumstances which would reasonably result in sexual abuse, physical abuse, or neglect, he shall immediately notify the nearest peace office, law enforcement agency or office of the Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS). (Utah Code Annotated 62A-4a-403). Since Utah law also states that committing domestic violence in the presence of a child is a form of child abuse (see UCA Section 76-5-109.1), this must also be reported to law enforcement and/or the Division of Child and Family Services.

Failing to report child abuse is a Class B misdemeanor.

How to Report Child Abuse

To report child abuse call 1-855-323-3237, the child protection hotline for the State of Utah. If the child is in imminent danger you can also call the police department located in the city where the alleged crime occurred. Please note that if you report to law enforcement first they are mandated to notify child protective services and vice versa. Both law enforcement and child protective services are required to investigate child abuse cases.

What is child abuse?

The term "child abuse" can be defined as any behavior directed toward a child by a parent, guardian, care giver, other family member, or other adult, that endangers or impairs a child’s physical or emotional health and development. While child abuse and neglect affect all segments of society and know no socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, or religious boundaries, included among the factors which often contribute to child abuse are alcohol and substance abuse, lack of parenting skills, economic difficulties or poverty, domestic violence and previous victimization.

Child abuse includes four major categories: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect.

What are signs of possible physical abuse?

Physical child abuse involves external injuries and is more easily detected than other forms of abuse.

The following signs may indicate physical abuse:

· Unexplained injuries, especially those located on parts of the body not usually affected by normal childhood activities, (e.g., eyes, mouth, back, thighs, buttocks, genital areas, etc.).

· Repeated injuries such as bruises, welts or burns, especially those where the shape of an object is visible, (e.g., an electric cord, hair brush, belt, buckle, board, cigarette, etc.).

· Abrasions or lacerations appearing on the body for no apparent reason. Injuries in various stages of healing which appear in a regular pattern or are grouped together.

· Small circular burns which may have been inflicted by a cigarette or cigar, often found on forearms, hands, buttocks, or soles of the feet.

· Burns with a "doughnut" shape on the buttocks which may indicate a child was dipped or forced to sit in scalding liquid. Any burn which shows the pattern of the object used to inflict the injury (e.g., an iron, fireplace tool, heaters, etc.).

· Burns caused by friction, usually found on arms, neck, legs, or torso indicating a rope or cord may have been used to tie up the victim.

· Unexplained fractures, (e.g., nose, face, ribs, legs, arms, etc.).

· Behavior by the child which may be hyperactive, disruptive, and aggressive, or complacent, compliant, shy, withdrawn or uncommunicative.

· Denial by parents that anything is wrong, unlikely explanation for the child’s injuries, delays in obtaining medical care, or inadequate care given and injuries which occur with increasing frequency or severity.

What about neglect?

Child neglect is the continued failure to provide a child with necessary care and protection including adequate shelter, food, clothing, medical care, etc. Lack of appropriate supervision, especially for young children, for extended periods of time is also considered child neglect.

Signs of possible neglect include:

· Appears poorly nourished or inadequately clothed;

· Appears consistently tired or listless;

· Inconsistent attendance at school;

· Lack of good hygiene, or an obsession with cleanliness;

· Is regularly left alone in dangerous situations, or over long periods of time;

· Exhibits evidence that medical needs are not being met;

· Unable to relate well to adults or has trouble forming close friendships.

What is emotional abuse?

Emotional abuse is the most difficult form of child abuse to verify. It includes both verbal assaults and the withholding of positive emotional support. Although the scars may not be visible to the naked eye, emotional abuse wounds the spirit, frequently leaving its marks for a lifetime. Victims of emotional abuse are "hit" every day with the power of words which are demeaning, shaming, threatening, blaming, intimidating, unfairly critical or sarcastic in nature.

Some indicators of potential emotional abuse include:

· Patterned behavior that is extreme (e.g., lying, stealing, fighting) or is overly aggressive and acts out inappropriately;

· Appears defensive, shy or overly dependent;

· Is verbally abusive to others, using the same language and demeaning terms she/he has experienced.

Sexual abuse

Incest, sexual molestation, rape, sodomy, child pornography, exhibitionism and exploitation are terms most often used when describing child sexual abuse. Sexual abuse can be physical -- including genital or oral stimulation, fondling and intercourse; non-physical -- including indecent exposure, obscene phone calls or "peeping toms"; and/ or violent -- as in rape or other forms of sexually violent behavior.

What to watch out for in children:

· Acting out in an inappropriate sexual way with toys or objects

· Nightmares, sleeping problems

· Becoming withdrawn or very clingy

· Becoming unusually secretive

· Sudden unexplained personality changes, mood swings and seeming insecure

· Regressing to younger behaviors, e.g. bedwetting

· Unaccountable fear of particular places or people

· Outburst of anger

· Changes in eating habits

· New adult words for body parts and no obvious source

· Talk of a new, older friend and unexplained money or gifts

· Self-harm (cutting, burning or other harmful activities)

· Physical signs, such as, unexplained soreness or bruises around genitals or mouth, sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy

· Running away

· Not wanting to be alone with a particular child or young person

Physical warning signs

Physical signs of sexual abuse are rare

· Pain, discoloration, bleeding or discharges in genitals, anus or mouth

· Persistent or recurring pain during urination and bowel movements

· Wetting and soiling accidents unrelated to toilet training