White River Youth Camp

White River Y

Child Abuse Prev

Youth Camp

vention Training

Why this training

 Child abuse has becom
since about the 1980’s.

 Schools, camps, church
organizations have com

 We must be sensitive a
avoid potential difficul
the well-being of the yo
our care.

is important…

me a nationwide issue
.

hes and other youth
me under intense scrutiny.

and well-informed to
lties in this area and for
oung people entrusted to

A Team Effort…

 It is not just the respon
_C_a_b_i_n__ _C_o_u_n_s_e_l_o_r
the campers.

 Preventing child abuse
 Every adult, either em

who has opportunity t
campers is required to
pass the test with 70%

nsibility of the
to ensure the safety of

e is a team effort.
mployee or volunteer,
to interact with the
o take this course and
% accuracy.

Definition of Child

 Child abuse is any exp
childhood or adolesce
inappropriate sexual a
person.

 This person is usually
an older child or a teen

 Child sexual abuse is n
__p_h_y_si_c_a_l _ contact.

d Abuse

perience during
ence that involves
attention from another

y an adult but can also be
nager.
not solely restricted to

Effects of Child A

 Difficulty in forming l
 Sexual risk-taking
 Physical complaints an
 Depression, suicidal th
 Links to failure of the

increases in illnesses.

Abuse

long term relationships.

nd physical symptoms
houghts and suicide
immune system and to

Signs of sexual ab

 Fear of a parent or fea
 Withdrawn or isolated
 Overly compliant or c

not their usual behavio
 Sexually precocious, w

in play that is intrusive

buse

ar of the perpetrator
d
cooperative when that is
or
which is being involved
e or inappropriate

Signs of sexual ab

“As we discuss the signs o
note that very few of the
specific for abuse. That
these signs in a child wh
The converse is also tru
victim of abuse and sh

Dr. Janet Squire
Children’s Med

buse…

of abuse, it’s important to
ese findings are totally
t means that we can see
ho is not being abused.
ue. A child can be a
how no outward signs.”

es
dical Center of Dallas

Characteristics of

 A child is more likely
somebody that they kn
family than they are b

 About _1_/3_ of all sexua
occurs at the hands of
primarily adolescence

a child molester

to be abused by
now or someone in their
by a stranger.

al abuse of children
older children,
e.

Strategies of Abus

 Molesters tend to use
s_e_d_u_c_t_io_n_, _t_ri_c_k_e_ry_ an
secrecy.

sers

three basic strategies:
nd _fo_r_c_e_ all wrapped in

Strategies of Abus

 There is usually little a
force, which is a very

 The molester may atte
giving gifts or other fa
child.

 The abuser may try to
child by telling them i
molestation took place

sers…

a child can do to resist
y infrequent act of abuse.
empt to use bribery by
avors to the interested

o shift the blame to the
it is their fault the
e.

Strategies of Abus

 Other ways that abuse
during abusive relation

 Embarrassment
 Displaced Responsibil
 Loss of Affection (98%

is a wonderful person
child values that relati
abuse.)
 Threaten the child or s

sers…

ers maintain secrecy
nships are:

lity (similar to blame)
% of the time the molester
in the child’s life and the
ionship in spite of the

someone in their family

Abusive feelings an

“Adolescence can be ver
But if we’re talking ab
between somebody wh
who is younger by eve
are getting into the rea
abuse.”

David Finkelh

University of

nd normal curiosity

ry sexually confusing.
bout something sexual
ho is older and someone
en a couple of years, we
alm of things that can be

hor
New Hamphshire

On-Site Protection

These policies are prim
protection of the cam
also serve to protect
from false accusatio

n and Prevention

marily for the
mpers; however, they
t the adult leaders
ons of abuse.

Protection and Pre

1. Avoid one-on-one con

 Adult to Camper
 Camper to Camper

2. Respect camper’s priva
3. Use constructive discip

punishment is never a
4. Any type of hazing is p
5. Campers are responsib

evention Policies

ntact.

acy.
pline. Corporal
proper form of discipline.
prohibited.
ble for proper behavior.

Responding to Ab

If a child discloses abu
The most important th

buse

use to you…
hing you can do is listen.

Responding to Ab

1. You should believe
2. You should affirm
3. You should protec
4. You should refer t

buse

e the child.
m the child.
ct the child.
the child.

Reporting Abuse

 For reporting child abus
you have reasonable su
occurred.

 If the suspected abuse
the suspected abuse mu
Department of Health
Commission (HHSC) u
https://wafers.hhsc.stat
porting_IR.asp. (avail

 Local authorities should
suspected abuse.

se, all the state requires is that
uspicion that abuse has

occurs at the youth camp,
ust be reported to the Texas
& Human Services
utilizing the online form at
te.tx.us/Abuse_Fraud_Re-
lable at camp office)

d also be contacted about the

Reporting Abuse

If a child discloses ab
on-site people that ne
immediately are:

1. Church Leader/m
2. Group Leader (d
3. Retreat Center D

buse to you, the three
eed to be notified

minister of the child
director of the camp)
Director or his assistant