Child Abuse/Trauma Prevention Information

If you ever suspect, discover, or hear a disclosure of abuse, you are mandated by law as a mandatory reporter in Idaho to tell authorities.

Call Central Intake at 1-855-552-KIDS (5437), or 2-1-1

There are 3 forms of abuse that we have to be aware of:

Physical Abuse - an injury resulting from physical aggression. Even if the injury was not intended, the act is considered physical abuse.
~ 28.3% of adults report being physically abused as a child.~
The injury from physical child abuse may be the result of:
- Beating, slapping, or hitting.
- Pushing, shaking, kicking, or throwing.
- Pinching, biting, choking, or hair-pulling.
- Severe physical punishment.
- Burning with cigarettes, scalding water, or other hot objects.

Emotional Abuse - When a parent or caregiver harms a child’s mental and social development, or causes severe emotional harm, it is considered emotional abuse. While a single incident may be abuse, most often emotional abuse is a pattern of behavior that causes damage over time.
~10.6% of adults report being emotionally abused as a child.~
Other names for emotional abuse are:
- Verbal abuse
- Mental abuse
- Psychological maltreatment or psychological abuse

Sexual Abuse - Sexual abuse occurs when an adult uses a child for sexual purposes or involves a child in sexual acts. It also includes when a child who is older or more powerful uses another child for sexual gratification or excitement.
~20.7% of adults report being sexually abused as a child.~
Sexual abuse of children includes:
Non-contact abuse
Making a child view a sex act
Making a child view or show sex organs
Inappropriate sexual talk
Contact abuse
Fondling and oral sex
Penetration
Making children perform a sex act
Exploitation
Child prostitution and child pornography
Neglect - Child neglect is when a parent or caregiver does not give the care, supervision, affection and support needed for a child’s health, safety and well-being. Child neglect includes:
- Physical neglect and inadequate supervision
- Emotional neglect
- Medical neglect
- Educational neglect

*Retrieved from: https://www.childhelp.org/child-abuse/ and https://www.healthyplace.com/abuse/child-abuse-information/types-child-abuse*

How do you recognize child abuse?

Darkness to Light, a national child abuse prevention non-profit, has created a list of possible signs for sexual abuse. These potential signs of sexual abuse can also be signs that other abuse or trauma is occuring. Please consider the children in your life when reviewing the list below.

Everyone in Idaho is a mandated reporter but who do you call?

Idaho Law says that any person who has reason to believe that a child is being abused, neglected, or abandoned MUST report this to your local law enforcement agency or the Department of Health and Welfare within 24 hours. Failure to report suspected abuse, neglect, or abandonment is a misdemeanor.

If you have a concern, take action immediately. Remember: it is NOT your job to prove anything. If you suspect abuse, your only job is to report to the police or protective Services.

To make a report call Central Intake at any time of the day or night.
Statewide: 1-855-552-KIDS (5437), , or you can call 2-1-1

Local numbers can be found at: https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/Children/AbuseNeglect/ChildProtectionContactPhoneNumbers/tabid/475/Default.aspx

You are not required to provide proof of child abuse. Anyone who makes a good faith report based on reasonable grounds cannot be prosecuted. If the abuse occurred within the past 72 hours, a medical evaluation by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner is available by going to the Emergency Department at any local hospital.

What are other types of trauma children might face?

While children who experience any form of abuse are experiencing trauma, there are also other types of traumas that can also impact children. These traumas are also known as Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACE’s (view picture).

ACE’s were discovered during a collaboration between the CDC and Kaiser Permanente from 1995-1997. The discovery of ACE’s helped to create a pathway of understanding between experiences in childhood and outcomes throughout life. The study found that individuals who had one or more adverse childhood experience would be more likely to suffer physical and mental health problems, have unhealthy behaviors, as well as experiencing loss of life potential.

ACE experiences do not determine who an individual is or what they can do in their life. ACE’s can be overcome through increasing protective factors and resilience.

ACE’s need to be addressed and discussed at a community level to help increase a level of understanding on public health issues and how to improve them.

More information about ACE’s was retrieved and can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/acestudy/about_ace.html

What can be done to prevent abuse?

Preventing abuse is a vital. There are many things that can be done to prevent abuse. It starts with growing the conversation around awareness of abuse and its’ impact on children and our community. Then we have to come together and create cohesive actions that make it possible to prioritize prevention.

Prevention is THE ONLY WAY we will make a stable change!

Please view the "Educational Materials" section to learn more.

Educational Information

There are many organizations, tools, and resources out there that can help answer questions you may have or provide you with information that you did not know before. The following links will take you to various websites that provide these tools.

Statewide Efforts: