Preventing Child Abuse

As the nation watched the sex abuse scandal unfold at Penn State earlier this month, parents everywhere turned their minds to protecting their children. 

“What happened at Penn State is shocking and sad,” Capt. Anthony Minosse said.

The best thing parents can do to protect their children from such abuse is to keep the lines of communication open and explain dangers and risks to them, Minosse says.

"Children should learn at a young age that there are dangers out there," he said.

There were more than 90,000 suspected cases of abuse and neglect in New Jersey in 2010, according to the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF). Close to 9,000 of these children lived in Camden County and 533 here in Gloucester Township.

"It is the last call our department wants to have to respond to," Minosse said. 

DCF defines abuse as "the physical, sexual or emotional harm or risk of harm to a child under the age of 18 caused by a parent or other person who acts as a caregiver for the child." Neglect occurs "when a parent or caregiver fails to provide proper supervision for a child or adequate food, clothing, shelter, education or medical care although financially able or assisted to do so."

Experts in child welfare report that most incidents of child abuse go unreported. Many victims are scared or ashamed. But parents can help prevent child abuse, according to Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey (PCANJ), a New Brunswick-based child abuse education and prevention organization.

Gloucester Township Police suggest that parents monitor their children's internet use and discuss safe internet use to protect them from online predators. 

Approximately one in 25 youth have received an online sexual solicitation where the solicitor tried to make offline contact. Only 27 percent of children who received unwanted sexual material online told a parent or guardian, according to police.

PCANJ, which offers a parenting tip sheet on its website, says to always have children walk in pairs or groups, explain good touch/bad touch, implement a family secret code word, and explain it is not rude to ignore an adult who is asking for directions, assistance looking for a dog or requesting anything else from the child. 

Parents should approach the topic of sexual abuse in the same matter-of-fact way they would approach traffic safety, says the PCANJ.

The PCANJ also recommends thoroughly researching the background of any babysitter or caregiver. Community organizations like the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and youth sports teams require volunteer leaders and coaches undergo a thorough background check before working with children.

Megan’s Law, enacted in the state of New Jersey in 1994, requires sex offenders to register and places restrictions on places of employment, community involvement and even residence. The law was named for 7-year-old Megan Kanka, who was raped and murdered by a sex offender with previous convictions.

The sex offender registry is meant to be used as a tool to enable individuals to take appropriate precautions, but it is not to be used as a means to threaten or harass registered offenders. According to Minosse, offenders are categorized into three different levels depending on the type of crime they committed. 

The most important thing, say experts, is to listen to your child if they report abusive behavior of any kind. 

Minosse urges parents to take any claim from a child seriously and to avoid getting angry in front of your child, even if your anger is directed toward the offender. 

When the police department receives a call, Minosse says they take a team approach to investigating the suspected abuse. The police will work with the Department of Youth and Family Services (DYFS), the Camden County Prosecutor's Office, social services and medical professionals. The policy, said Minosse, is to always work quickly to ensure the safety and welfare of a child. 

“We take every call seriously and always err on the side of the child,” said Minosse. 

Within the Gloucester Township Police Department, three detectives are trained in “Finding Words,” which provides officers with techniques and tools to interview young children who may be victims of abuse or witnesses to a crime.

School administrators and teachers are also trained to spot signs of child abuse and to report any suspicions to DYFS or to the police department. New Jersey dictates that anyone who fails to report suspicions of child abuse be subject to a fine of up to $1,000 or six months jail time, or both.

If you suspect abuse or neglect of any kind, reports can be made to the DCF at 1-877-NJ-ABUSE (652-2873). Callers do not need evidence of child abuse to make a report. All reports are responded to within 24 hours.

If a child is in immediate danger, dial 911.