CHILD ABUSE POLICY
Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act, California Penal Code (PC) § 11164 through 11174.5 P.C. § 11169 and 11170 pertain to child protective reporting to the Department Of Justice and the dissemination of CACI information to authorized agencies.
The responsibility to protect children belongs to all UNIDOS volunteers, and there are specific legal mandates in regards to child abuse. This policy helps to outline our response to these mandates, but does not intend and must not be interpreted in any way to override the law.
SUSPICION OF CHILD ABUSE
The following may suggest the occurrence of child abuse or neglect:
● Unexplained injury—patch of hair missing, a burn, a limp, or bruises
● Has an inordinate number of “explained” injuries such as bruises on his/her body over a period of time or an injury that is not adequately explained
● Verbal testimony of abuse or neglect such as: complains about numerous beatings, or complains about others “doing things to them when others are not at home” or not getting enough food to eat on a regular basis.
● Prayer requests, pictures, or journal writings referring to beatings, injuries, being hurt by another person, etc.
● Child is dirty and smells, has bad teeth, hair falling out, and/or lice, etc.
● Child is consistently inappropriately dressed for the weather such as: Wears long sleeved tops during the summer to cover bruises on the arms or Is inadequately dressed for cold weather or rain
● Displays inordinate and age-inappropriate sexual awareness and behavior
● Displays profound change in social behavior from previously demonstrated behavior
REPORTING
As holders of a high responsibility in Christ and as part of UNIDOS’s policy, UNIDOS does require volunteers and paid staff who do not work with children to report suspected child abuse to Program Directors. Therefore, all volunteers or paid employees, involved with students between birth and the age of 18th birthday shall immediately report any suspicion of child abuse or neglect of which they have knowledge or have observed. These volunteers and paid staff members shall report the things outlined above under “Suspicion of Child Abuse,” in addition to/as well as any other indications that may suggest the occurrence of child abuse or neglect.
SUSPICION V. CERTAINTY
The law requires reporting of suspected child abuse. It is not our responsibility to collect evidence, do investigation, or be absolutely certain beyond any doubt of child abuse. We are required to report any suspicion of abuse, and Child Protective Services will determine if the suspicion is sufficient to warrant investigation. If you are a legally mandated reporter, no one can remove that mandate from you or relieve you of its responsibility. You can request help in working through the steps of reporting, but the mandate rests with you to make the report.
REPORTING PROCEDURE
When any paid staff member or volunteer working with children suspects child abuse he/she shall report the suspected abuse to Child Protective Services within 24 hours and then immediately inform the UNIDOS program directors.