4 Emergency Response - Santa Cruz County Office of Education

Emergency Response
Types of Emergencies:
Child Abuse and Sexual Assault
No person
within the school
district has the
authority to veto
the reporting of
child abuse!
Sexual Assault
is any physical
contact of a
sexual nature to
a student, with or
without, physical
force or violence.
Child Abuse and Sexual Assault
What: Child abuse is generally defined as non-accidental physical or
metal injury caused by the acts or omissions of the child’s parents
or caretakers. Any injury inconsistent with an explanation
of how the injury occurred may be considered child abuse.
Child abuse includes the four following types of abuse:
❏ ❏ Physical Abuse: Non-accidental physical injury to a child
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Why:
How:
Physical Neglect: Failure on the part of the child’s caretaker to
provide adequate food, clothing, shelter or supervision
Emotional Maltreatment: The constant belittling and rejecting of a
child, not providing a positive emotional atmosphere
Sexual Abuse: Sexual exploitation, molestation, or prostitution of a
child
School personnel have a legal obligation to make a report if
child abuse or neglect is suspected. Suspicion or knowledge
of abuse or neglect must be reported to the police.
General Principles for Reporting:
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Follow specific reporting procedures
After the probability of abuse or sexual assault has been
established, school staff should not question the student further
Provide a confidential setting for a caseworker
or police officer to interview the child
The principal may designate one staff person with whom
the child is familiar to be present during the interview
Em e r g e n c y Re s p o n s e & Crisis Ma n a g e m e n t 4.32 2007 – 2008