Child maltreatment risks and strategies. (Risk Management).Risk Assessment Child maltreatment child maltreatment '…intentional harm or threat of harm to a child by someone acting in the role of a caretaker, for even a short time…Categories Physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect…', the last being most common. is a plague in our society This is a fact. Historically, there was a lack of awareness about the scope of the problem. This has changed over time. In the mid-1 980s Americans were shocked to hear the allegations of child sexual abuse Child sexual abuse is an umbrella term describing criminal and civil offenses in which an adult engages in sexual activity with a minor or exploits a minor for the purpose of sexual gratification. and molestation molestation n. the crime of sexual acts with children up to the age of 18, including touching of private parts, exposure of genitalia, taking of pornographic pictures, rape, inducement of sexual acts with the molester or with other children, and variations of these involving a California childcare center. This event brought the issue of child sexual abuse and molestation to center stage. The impact of this event has been wide and continuous. At the time, it created some panic and overreaction o·ver·re·act intr.v. o·ver·re·act·ed, o·ver·re·act·ing, o·ver·re·acts To react with unnecessary or inappropriate force, emotional display, or violence. among the public, insurance underwriters, and state regulators. The allegations of child sexual abuse and molestation ruined the lives of some teachers, who were wrongfully accused. Our society was changed by this event. It would never be the same again. Ultimately, the McMartin case served a vital purpose. It increased awareness about the risk of child sexual abuse and molestation, which has lead to a commitment to protect the children. This commitment manifested itself in individuals and businesses serving children and included significant efforts from federal (National Child Protection Act of 1 993; The Volunteers for Children Act in 1998; Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (Public Law 93-247) provides federal funding to States in support of prevention, assessment, investigation, prosecution, and treatment activities and also provides grants to public agencies and nonprofit organizations for -- CAPTA CAPTA Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act CAPTA Chicago Area Pet Trainers Association ) and state government to reduce the risks and protect our children. Over fifteen years have passed since the reports of sexual abuse at that childcare center made national news, in my opinion, our society has made real progress toward fighting this plague. Unfortunately, events of the past year may cause some to dispute this statement. Others disagree more fundamentally and believe we have not done enough to deal with the problem of child maltreatment. They believe perceptions of progress are illusory il·lu·so·ry adj. Produced by, based on, or having the nature of an illusion; deceptive: "Secret activities offer presidents the alluring but often illusory promise that they can achieve foreign policy goals without the . Regardless of opinion, the fact remains, children continue to be neglected by their parents, sexually abused by family members and others, exploited, beaten, bullied, and emotionally abused in shocking numbers. Scope There is a lag in the data on child maltreatment and some dispute over the sources. The federal government keeps the statistics. The U. S. Department of Health and Human Service, Children's Bureau The Children's Bureau may refer to:
Risk Identification Increased awareness often leads to identification of new risks and new thoughts about old risks, You probably noticed the use of the words child maltreatment, in the past, much of our focus on risk management at camp has been directed toward sexual abuse and molestation and more recently toward sexual harassment sexual harassment, in law, verbal or physical behavior of a sexual nature, aimed at a particular person or group of people, especially in the workplace or in academic or other institutional settings, that is actionable, as in tort or under equal-opportunity statutes. . This focused effort runs the risk of developing compartmentalized com·part·men·tal·ize tr.v. com·part·men·tal·ized, com·part·men·tal·iz·ing, com·part·men·tal·iz·es To separate into distinct parts, categories, or compartments: "You learn . . . thinking and of losing sight of the bigger picture. Successful management of the risks of child maltreatment, including sexual abuse and molestation, requires a balanced approach. The focus on sexual abuse and molestation is understandable -- it is one manifestation of our society's frustration over this issue. On the other hand, insurance underwriters have raised the issue and forced attention to it as a precondition pre·con·di·tion n. A condition that must exist or be established before something can occur or be considered; a prerequisite. tr.v. to transferring the risk. While this has been valuable and probably necessary, we can't lose sight of the bigger picture of child maltreatment. Experts have defined child maltreatment to include sexual abuse, exploitation, or molestation (sexual activity between a child and an adult, or a child with an older child), physical abuse (non-accidental injury to a child including hazing Hazing is an often ritualistic test and a task, which may constitute harassment, abuse or humiliation with requirements to perform random, often meaningless tasks, sometimes as a way of initiation into a social group. and bullying behaviors), emotional abuse (attacking a child's self-worth including belittling be·lit·tle tr.v. be·lit·tled, be·lit·tling, be·lit·tles 1. To represent or speak of as contemptibly small or unimportant; disparage: a person who belittled our efforts to do the job right. , insulting, or manipulating behavior), sexual harassment, and neglect (failure to protect a child from harm, or provide for basic needs). As we consider the implications of this expanded risk definition and broader perspective, a renewed commitment is needed to address these issues in an increasingly complex environment. Build New Strategies Prevention of child maltreatment is not a separate strategy It should be integrated with your camp's overall plans for risk management. It is just as important as your plans for prevention and reduction of the risks of accidental injury. The risk of child maltreatment threatens camps from outside, as well as inside, the camp organization. Perpetrators can be parents who abuse and mistreat their children at home before they come to camp. Other perpetrators can be volunteers, counselors, pedophiles, strangers/intruders, as well as other campers. How does your camp's risk management plan address the risks in the expanded definition of child maltreatment? Have you identified all possible sources of attack? Are you satisfied, or can you do more? If you think you can do more, take some time now to consider the bigger picture. Successful risk management plans require support and commitment from management. This includes moral support, as well as, financial and administrative backing. As the director, you must "live" the risk management philosophy you espouse and require it from others if it is to succeed. Screening staff The first line of defense in risk management is screening staff in order to hire the most qualified, capable people for the job This process starts with a comprehensive application. The hiring process involves more than a simple skill check. It requires taking some time to determine what kind of person each applicant is and how he or she will fit into the culture and environment of your camp. While there are some scientific methods for determining the match, this is more art than science and requires sensitivity and experience, as well as excellent "people skills." A 1995 report by the American Bar The American Bar is a drinking establishment at the Savoy Hotel in London. Opened in 1898 when cocktail were being first introduced to London. The term American Bar comes from the 1930s when cocktails were first gaining popularity in the United States. Association's Center on Children and the Law studied effective screening techniques for employing youth service workers. They discovered the most effective technique was a personal interview. Take some time to think about the qualities and characteristics of the counselor with the "right stuff" for your camp, so you'll know them when you see them. Take some time to review your interview questions in light of some of the additional child maltreatment issues mentioned above. Besides a comprehensive application, personal interviews, and reference checks, many camps are using background checks. Most insurance companies providing camp liability insurance require a background check of some type. This is a valuable additional screening tool, but is not a panacea Some antidote or remedy that completely solves a problem. Most so-called panaceas in this industry, if they survive at all, wind up sitting alongside and working with the products they were supposed to replace. to concerns about child maltreatment. Background checks may or may not be available on international staff, which presents another risk factor. Check out the latest information on the type of background checks available in your state at ACA's Web site, www.ACAcamps.org/knowledge/human/staffscreening.htm. Staff Training Staff training is another key element of your camp's risk management plan. Training on sexual misconduct sexual misconduct Professional ethics Any behavior that violates a health professional's ethics through sexual contact of physician and his/her Pt. See Professional boundaries. issues should be expanded to include other child maltreatment issues, such as bullying behavior and emotional abuse, among other potential risk issues. Some insurance companies have had abuse and molestation claims develop out of post camp season contact between campers and staff. Consider developing a policy that controls or prohibits this type of contact. Be sure to include information for staff about how they can protect themselves from spurious spu·ri·ous adj. Similar in appearance or symptoms but unrelated in morphology or pathology; false. spurious simulated; not genuine; false. or false allegations from campers or other staff It is important for staff to know that you support and care about them, too. Clear, consistent communication about what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior and what to do when they witness or experience unacceptable behavior can go a long way toward maintaining control and reducing the risks. Supervision Supervision is the other key ingredient. Educate your supervisory staff separately from other staff. Help your supervisors understand that they are truly your "eyes and ears." Enlist them in the development of your camp's risk management philosophy. Encourage them to make unannounced visits to cabins, program areas, pools, and bathrooms. Wander around, but with a purpose. Make them responsible and hold them accountable for implementing the plan. Reward them well for the behaviors you see and want them to repeat. Correct them quickly, privately, and sensitively if you observe they are not implementing the supervisory and risk management plan appropriately. Teamwork Effective risk management is teamwork. Take some time to review your current plan in light of the child maltreatment issues raised here and the other risk management issues, that confront you at camp each summer. Evaluate your plan. Enlist your key staff. Get their advice. Then make the necessary changes, so you can be ready for next year. RELATED ARTICLE: ACA ACA - Application Control Architecture Resources & Books Staff Screening * Staff Screening Tool Kit * Bob Ditter's To Tell the Truth Video Child Abuse * For Their Sake: Recognizing and Responding to Child Abuse * For Their Sake Staff Training Handbook * Maintaining An Envelope of Safety * Hysteria hysteria (hĭstĕr`ēə), in psychology, a disorder commonly known today as conversion disorder, in which a psychological conflict is converted into a bodily disturbance. Management: Child Abuse and Camp * So You Want to Be A Supervisor http://bookstoro.ACAcamps.org Ed Schirick is president of Schirick and Associates Insurance Brokers in Rock Hill, New York Rock Hill is a hamlet (and census-designated place) in Sullivan County, New York, United States. The population was 1,056 at the 2000 census. Rock Hill is in the Town of Thompson by New York Route 17. , where he specializes in providing risk management advice and in arranging insurance coverage for camps. Schirick is a chartered property casualty underwriter Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) is considered to be the premier professional designation in property-casualty insurance and risk management. The rigorous curriculum includes eight (8) post-secondary undergraduate, or graduate-level courses covering topics such as and a certified insurance counselor In the United States, Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) is an insurance agent professional certification designation. The CIC certification program was started by the National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research in Austin, Texas in 1969. . He can be reached at 845-794-3113. |
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