CHILD ABUSE ASSESSMENT TEST
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Emotional Abuse - Answer-Inattention to a child's emotional needs including stimulation,
motor skills, physical touch, language, or bonding.
Physical Abuse - Answer-Non-accidental, inflicted injury/trauma such as injuries causing
death, permanent disfigurement, significant bleeding, deep bruising, significant internal
or external swelling, fractures, unconsciousness, prolonged withholding of food.
Sexual Abuse - Answer-Non-contact sexual acts such as exposure, voyeurism
(watching others naked), showing or producing porn, masturbation or other sexual acts
in front of a child. AND/OR touching for sexual gratification of the perpetrator or of the
genitals. AND/OR penetration of vagina, anus, mouth, or use of a foreign object.
*Can be in family (incest) or not
Neglect - Answer-The act of omission or commission which results in minimal sufficient
standards of care of minor(s) not being met. Failure of parents or caretakers to provide
needed, age-appropriate care including: food, shelter, clothing, protection from harm,
supervision of development, hygiene, emotional and medical care.
What type of abuse is most commonly reported to the Child Abuse Hotline? - Answer-
Neglect
How many child abuse reports were made in Orange County in 2018? - Answer-Over
52,500 Orange County children were reported to the child abuse registry. Approximately
4,100 a month/140 per day.
How many children are estimated to experience abuse in the U.S each year? - Answer-
Every year more than 3.6 million referrals are made to child protection agencies
involving more than 6.6 million children (a referral can include multiple children).
* 6.6 million children were reported to Child Abuse Registry in the US in 2019.
What is the leading cause of death due to child abuse? - Answer-Head injuries, caused
my violent shaking of infant or direct impact. *most common in children under 3
How many children die each day in the U.S as a result of child abuse? - Answer-At least
5 children are killed everyday in the U.S. by their parent or caretaker (1,750/year)
How many males and females are molested before the age of 18 and what percent
know their perpetrators? - Answer-1:4 females and 1:6 males.
Approximately 90% of the offenders are family or friends of the family.
What is the "Safe Surrender" law? - Answer-A law that allows a parent or person with
lawful custody to surrender a baby confidentially, without fear of arrest or prosecution
, for child abandonment. This law allows for at least a 14-day cooling off period, which
begins the day the child is voluntarily surrendered.
At what intervals are court hearings held in Juvenile Court in order to review parents
progress towards reunification? - Answer-Within 72 hours > Detention hearing, reviews
the decision to remove children and decide on out of home placement
6 months > Hearing reunification services
12 months > Hearing, progress assessment
18 months > Hearing, progress assessment
What is the maximum amount of time that parents have to complete their reunification
plan before they loose their rights to their children permanently? - Answer-18 months/
After this time, if parents fail in the reunification period, children are moved to a
Permanency Plan.
Describe Munchausen Syndrome - Answer-A form of child abuse in which a caretaker,
usually a mother, fabricates, stimulates, or induces symptoms of physical illness in a
child. *mental health issue
Victim profile often includes infants and toddlers who are vulnerable. Victims will suffer
psychological problems, pain from symptoms, and possibly long-term disabilities.
What are the characteristics of those who most often commit Munchausen (i.e., gender,
race, educational level)? - Answer-Perpetrator profile often includes mothers who are
older and well-off financially (ex. White, middle-class). They appear to be concerned
caregivers, but are good liars. They have a dramatic flair, previous healthcare
experience, and may have a history of abuse. They often crave attention from the
medical community and may have a poor spousal relationship.
Describe the conditions that mimic physical abuse. - Answer-Mongolian spots - oval,
bluish-green or black birthmarks typically over the back area. Commonly found in
individuals of African or Asian ethnic background. Can be mistaken for bruising.
Coining - A southeast Asian practice of rubbing hot coins over the back of your chest to
cure fever, pain, and chest congestion. Commonly mistaken for abuse because it can
leave large red marks on the backs of children if the coin is too hot.
Cupping - A Mexican/south American practice of placing warm cups over the chest or
back to "draw out" illness. Commonly mistaken for abuse because it leaves large
bruises on the children if the cup is left too long.
Skin conditions - Some can be mistaken for burns from chemicals.
Describe each stage of the domestic violence cycle. - Answer-1. Tension building
(issues start to arise)
2. Explosive (violent stage)