TexasDistrictUnitedPentecostalChurch
SundaySchoolandYouthCamp
2017ChildAbusePreventionTraining
Introduction
TheTexasDistrictUnitedPentecostalChurch(TXDUPC)iscommittedtoprovidingasafeenvironmentforcampers.
Thefollowingtrainingisdesignedtoheightentheawarenessofchildabuseandtoofferinformationandguidelines
topreventanytypeofabusewhileatcampandbeyond.Wemustviewthetaskofcreatingasafeenvironmentfor
thecampersasateameffort.Everyparent,churchleaderandCampstaffhasapartinbeinginformedandcarrying
outtheirroleinkeepingchildrensafe.Everyadult,employeeorvolunteer,whowillbeoncampusandhave
opportunitytointeractwiththecampersisrequiredtotakethiscourseandpasstheaccompanyingexamwith
70%accuracy.DocumentationverifyingparticipationinthecourseandpassingthetestiskeptonfileintheCamp
Office.
Childabuseisanationwideissue.Schools,churches,campsandotheryouthorganizationshavecomeunder
intensescrutiny.Wemustbesensitiveandwellinformedtoavoidhavingpotentialdifficultiesinthisareaandfor
thewellbeingofthechildrenandyouthwhoareentrustedtoourcare.
DefinitionofNeglect
Achildisneglectedifthepersonsthischilddependsondonotprovidefood,clothing,shelter,medicalcare,
educationandsupervision.Whenthesebasicneedsaredeliberatelywithheld,nobecausetheparentsor
caregiversarepoor,itisconsideredneglect.
DefinitionofPhysicalAbuse
Physicalabuseisthedeliberateinjuryofachildbyapersonresponsibleforthechild’scare.Physicalabuseinjuries
canincludebruises,brokenbones,burns,andabrasions.Childrenexperienceminorinjuriesasanormalpartof
childhood,usuallyinpredictableplacessuchastheshins,knees,andelbows.Whentheinjuriesareinsoft-tissue
areasontheabdomenorback,ordon’tseemtobetypicalchildhoodinjuries,physicalabusebecomesapossibility.
DefinitionofEmotionalAbuse
Emotionalabuseisaseriesofrepeatedinstances,whetherintentionalornot,thatinsults,threatens,isolates,
degrades,humiliates,and/orcontrolsanotherperson.Achildsuffersfromemotionalabusewhenconstantly
ridiculed,rejected,blamed,orcomparedunfavorablywithbrothersorsistersorotherchildren.Emotionalabuseis
hardertorecognizebutisjustasharmfultothechildasotherformsofabusebecauseitdamagesthechild’sselfesteemand,inextremecases,canleadtodevelopmentalproblemsandspeechdisorders.
DefinitionofSexualAbuseandMolestation
Whenanadultoranolderchilduseshisorherauthorityoverachildtoinvolvethechildinsexualactivity,itis
sexualabuse,andthatpersonisachildmolester.Sexualabuseincludesanyactivityperformedforthesexual
satisfactionofthemolester,includingactsrangingfromexhibitionism,voyeurism,tofondlingandrape.
AFewFacts
• Childsexualabuseoccurstoasmanyas25percentofgirlsand14percentofboysbeforetheyreachtheage
of18.
• Childrencanbeabusedatanyage;however,mostsexualabuseoccursbetweentheagesof7and13.
• Childrenaremostlikelytobemolestedbysomeonetheyknowandtrust.
• Eightyto90percentofsexuallyabusedboysaremolestedbyacquaintanceswhoarenonfamilymembers.
• Femalesperform20percentofthesexualabuseofboysunderage14.
EffectsofAbuse
Afallacyregardingsexualabuseisthatsomepeoplesaythatsexuallytouchingdoesnoharm.Someadultswill
eventellboyvictimsto“actlikeaman”and“stopwhining.”Otheradultsareunsympatheticabouttheexperiences
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ofadultsurvivors.Theysay,“nomatterwhathappenedinchildhood,itisinthepast.Youareanadultnow,soget
overit.”
Thefactisthatsexualabusedoesharmthechildandthatthedamageoftencarriesoverintotheadultlife.Studies
showthatthisdamagecaninclude:
• difficultyinforminglong-termrelationships
• sexualrisk-takingthatmayleadtocontractingsexuallytransmitteddiseases,includingAIDS
• physicalcomplaintsandsymptoms
• depression,suicidalthoughts,andsuicide
• linkstofailureoftheimmunesystemandtoincreasesinillnesses,hospitalizations,&earlydeaths
Inadditiontothetangiblephysicalandemotionaldamagethatsexualabusedoestothechild,thatterriblesecret
thatisheldsoclosebytwoorthreefamilymemberscangoontotearatthefiberofthefamilyingenerationafter
generation.
WarningSignsofSexualAbuse
Thereareavarietyofsignsofsexualabuse.Thebestsignisthechild’sstatementthatheorshewasabused.
However,childrenoftendonotreporttheirabuse,soadultsinpositionsofauthorityoverchildrenshouldbealert
forothersigns.Someofthefollowingbehaviorsareverycommonsignsthatchildrenareupset.However,ifoneor
moresignsarepresentformorethanafewdays,theymaybesignsthatthechildisbeingsexuallyabused:
• Hints,indirectmessages—refusingtogotoafriend’sorrelative’shomefornoapparentreason.
• Seductiveorprovocativebehavior—actingoutadultsexualbehaviororusingsexuallanguageachildhisor
herageisunlikelytoknow.
• Self-destructivebehavior—deliberatelyharminghimself,runningaway,thoughtsoforattemptingsuicide,
orsexualrecklessnessorpromiscuity.
• Unhappiness—undueanxietyandcryingorlossofappetite
• Regression—behavinglikeayoungerchild,thumbsucking,orbed-wetting
• Beingnoticeablyandunusuallywithdrawnorisolated.
• Excessivelycompliantorcooperative.
• Extremeshameorasenseofembarrassment.
• Sleepdisorders—nightmaresordifficultyeithergoingtosleeporsleepingthroughthenight.
• Avoidanttypesofbehaviors,fearsorphobias—somekindofconcernaboutbeinginaparticularplaceor
withaparticularperson
“Aswediscussthesignsofabuse,it'simportanttonotethatveryfewofthesefindings
aretotallyspecificforabuse.Thatmeansthatwecanseethesesignsinachildwhois
notbeingabused.Theconverseisalsotrue.Achildcanbeavictimofabuseandshow
nooutwardsigns.”
AbusiveFeelingsandNormalCuriosity
“Adolescencecanbeverysexuallyconfusing.However,ifwe'retalkingabout
somethingsexualbetweensomebodywhoisolderandsomeonewhoisyoungerby
evenacoupleofyears,wearegettingintotherealmofthingsthatcanbeabuse.If
we'retalkingaboutsomeonewhoisinapositionofauthorityasababysitterorasan
olderbrotherorasabigbrother,thosekindsofsituationsaregoingtobeabusive.I
don'tthinkolderchildrenrecognizethekindofpowerandauthoritythattheyhave
andthefactthattheyoungerpeopleintheserelationshipsdon'thavethecapacityto
reallyassertthemselvesinthefaceofthatkindofauthority.
Dr.JanetSquires
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CharacteristicsofaChildMolester
“Therearealotofmisleadingideasaboutwhochildmolestersare.Itusedtobe
thoughtthattheywereeasilyspotted,dirtyoldmen,deviants,andguysinraincoats.
Weknowthatthat'snottrue.Veryordinary,veryupstanding,verywellrespected
individuals,peopleinpositionsofauthority—allthesekindsofindividualshavebeen
foundtomolestchildren—peoplewhoarerelatives,peoplewhoarewellknowntothe
child.Achildismorelikelytobeabusedbysomebodythattheyknoworsomeonein
theirfamilythantheyarebyastranger.”
DavidFinkelhor,Ph.D.
SexualMolestationbyPeers
Approximatelyone-thirdofallsexualmolestationofchildrenoccursatthehandsofotherchildren,primarily
adolescents.Adolescentsabuseforawholevarietyofreasons:becausetheyareisolated,theythinkthatthey
shouldbegettingsomekindofsexualexperience,orthey'vebeenabusedorvictimizedorsufferedinsomeway.In
thepast,therehasbeenatendencytosweepthisundertherugandsay,"Well,he'sjustgoingthroughaphase."
Childrenwhomolestotherchildrenneedprofessionalhelp,andtheyaremorelikelytorespondtotreatmentwhen
young.Wenowknowthatifasexuallyabusiveadolescentgoesuntreated,theyareataveryhighrisktocontinue
thatpatternofbehaviorintoadulthood.It'sveryimportantthatweidentifyadolescentswhoareabusingchildren
andgetthemhelpbeforetheprocessgoesonfortoolong.
StrategiesofAbusers
Molesterstendtousethreebasicstrategies:Seduction,Force,andSecrecy
Seduction
“Mostoftenthemolesterisknowntothechildandisinapositiontospendlotsoftime
withthechild.Themolesterengagesinaprocesscalledgrooming,wheretheinitial
overturesarenonsexualandgraduallygrowmoreintrusive.Themolesterisusually
verypatientduringthisprocess.Amolesterusuallyhasarelationshipwiththechild
andthatensuresthesecrecyanditalsoallowsthemtohavelegitimatephysicalaccess
tothechild.Manytimesamolesterwillusepornography,whetheritbeadultorchild
pornography,tolowerthechild'snaturalinhibitionstowardsex.”
DetectiveMikeJohnson
Force
“There'susuallyverylittleachildcandotoresistforce.Thereareunquestionably
someoccasionswhenstrangersjustaccostchildrenorsnatchthemorgetthemby
somemeansintoacarorwhatever,abduct,andhavesexwiththem.Butthat'sa
relativelyinfrequentkindofactcomparedwithwhatIjustdescribedofwhatbasically
isaprocessofdevelopingfriendshipandseduction.”
Dr.DavidChadwick,M.D.(retired)
Secrecy
Molesterstakegreatpainnottobecaught.Someofthewaystheymaintainthesecretsare:
• Bribery.They'llactuallygivegiftsorotherfavorstothechildtheyareinterestedin.
• Blame.Thechildmolestertellsachildit'stheirfaultthemolestationtookplace.
• Embarrassment.Duringthemolestation,thechildrenrealizethatwhatistakingplaceiswrong
andwanttohidethefactitactuallytookplace.
• Lossofaffection.Ninety-eightpercentofthetime,themolesterisawonderfulpersoninachild's
life.Itisthatothertwopercentofthetimethatheismolestingthechild.
• Displacedresponsibility.Inthiscase,thechildblamesthemselvesforthemolestationortheacts
thataretakingplace.
• Threats.Themolestermayactuallythreatenthechildwithphysicalharmtothechildorto
someoneinthechild'sfamily.
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SectionSummary
• Achildismorelikelytobeabusedbysomebodytheyknoworsomeoneintheirfamilythanbyastranger.
• Molesterstendtousethreebasicstrategies:seduction,trickeryandforcecombinedwithanoverallgoalof
secrecy.Theaimofthemolesteristoisolatethechildfromsupervisionandanyotherkindofprotection.
• Probablyathirdofallsexualabuseofchildrenoccursatthehandsofotherchildren,primarilyadolescents.
TexasDistrictCampOn-SiteProtectionandPreventionPolicies
TheTexasDistricthasadoptedthefollowingpoliciestoprovideadditionalsecurityforourcampers.Thesepolicies
areprimarilyfortheprotectionofthecampers;however,theyalsoservetoprotectouradultleadersfromfalse
accusationsofabuse.
GeneralGuidelines
1. AvoidOne-on-OneContact
a. AdulttoCamper:Adultleadersshoulduseextremecareinavoidingone-on-oneencounterswith
campers.Insituationsthatrequirepersonalconferences,themeetingistobeconductedinviewof
otheradultsandcampers.Ifacamperapproachesyouwhenyouarealone,movequicklytoanarea
wherethereareothersoraskthecampertomeetyousomewhereelseinapublicareainafewminutes.
b. CampertoCamper:Careshouldalsobetakentominimizeone-on-oneencountersbetweencampers.
2. RespectCampers’Privacy.Adultleadersmustrespecttheprivacyofcampersinsituationssuchas
changingclothesandtakingshowersatcamp,andintrudeonlytotheextentthathealthandsafetyrequire.
Adultsmustrespecttheirownprivacyinsimilarsituations.
3. ConstructiveDiscipline.Disciplineusedatcampshouldbepositiveandconstructive.Corporal
punishmentisnotpermitted.Ifbehavioralproblemsescalate,involveanotheradultCampworkerassoon
aspossibleintheprocess.
4. HazingProhibited.Physicalhazingandinitiationsareprohibitedandmaynotbeincludedaspartofcamp
activity.
5. Camper’sResponsibilities.Allcampersareexpectedtoconductthemselvesinaccordancewiththe
principlessetforthintheCampGuidelines.Physicalviolence,hazing,bullying,theft,verbalinsults,and
drugsandalcoholhavenoplaceatcampandmayresultintheremovalofacamperfromcamp.
RespondingtoandReportingAbuse
Ifachilddisclosesabusetoyou
“Youwanttokeepyourcoolbynotpanickingoroverreacting.Don'tcriticizethe
child.Becarefultoavoidmakinghimfeelguiltybyyourlineofquestioningsuchas,
"Whydidn'tyoutellmeearlier?""Whydidn'tyousayno?""Whydidn'tyoudothisor
that?"Remembertorespectthechild'sprivacy.They'renotgoingtofeelcomfortable
discussingthisinlargegroupswithalotofpeoplemillingaround.Assurethechild
thatheorsheisnottoblame,thattheyarethechild,theyarethevictim,andthat
whatwasdonetothemiswrongandtheabuseristheguiltyparty.Andlast,listento
thechildcarefully.Bepatient.They'lleventuallytellyouwhatyouneedtoknow.”
JimChavis
“Listen.Andlisten.Andlisten.Andbesupportive.Allowthechildtothoroughly
expresswhateverheorshewishesto.Getitalloutasmuchaspossible;butunless
youhavehadpriorexperienceininterviewingsexuallyabusedchildren,Irecommend
thatpeoplenottrytoelicitalotmoreinformationthanwhatiscoming
spontaneously.Ithinkit'sagoodideathataftertheconversationhasendedtomake
anoteortwoonapieceofpapersothatyou'verecordedwhathashappened.You've
gotdocumentationlaterifit'sneeded.Andthenproceedalongwithreporting
procedures,leavingthedetailedinterviewingofthechildtopeoplewhohavebeen
trainedtodothat.”
Dr.DavidChadwick,M.D.
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A. Forachildabusedatcamp
1. Ifthesuspectedabuseoccursattheyouthcamp,thesuspectedabusemustbereportedtotheCamp
DirectororCampPrincipal.TheCampDirectororCampPrincipalmustreportthesuspectedabuse
totheTexasDepartmentofHealth&HumanServicesCommission(HHSC)utilizingtheonlineform
at:https://wafers.hhsc.state.tx.us/Abuse_Fraud_Reporting_IR.asp.Localauthoritiesshouldalsobe
contactedaboutthesuspectedabuse.
2. Totheextentpossible,thenameoftheinformantshouldbekeptconfidential.
3. ThechildshouldberemovedfromALLcontactwiththeaccused.
4. TheCampDirectororCampPrincipalwillconfrontthesuspectedchildabuser.
5. Oncetheabove-mentionedpersonshavereasontobelievethatanychildabusehasorwilloccur,
theyshallreportthesuspectedabusertotheproperauthorities.
6. Thechild’sparentsandPastorwillbecontactedtoinformthemofthesituation.
B. Forachildabusedbeforecomingtocamp:
Ifachildisdeterminedtobeanabusedchild,eitherbyobservationorthroughconfidinginaCampWorker
thathe/shehasbeenabused,thefollowingstepsshouldbetaken:
1. TheDean/Matron/Workershouldcounselthechildaccordingtotheguidelinessetforthin“Helping
aVictimofChildAbuse.”(seebelow)
2. TheDean/Matron/WorkershouldinformonlytheCampDirectororCampPrincipalofthe
situation.
3. TheCampDirectororCampPrincipalisrequiredtoreporttotheparents,Pastorandproper
authoritiessuchastheTexasDepartmentofHealthandHumanServices,and/orlocallaw
enforcementagencies.
C. HelpingaVictimofChildAbuse
Afterithasbeendisclosedthatachildhasbeenabused,certainstepsshouldbetakentohelpthechild.
1. Listen–don’tpanicoroverreact.Youshouldshowrealconcern,butnotalarmoranger.Givethe
childpermissiontotalkabouttheabusetoyou.Listencarefullytoeverythingthechildsays,and
notehisorherbehavior.Don’tfillinwordsforthem.Don’taskleadingquestions.Haveanother
adultpresentwhenyoutalktothechild.
2. Believe–Nevercriticizethechildorclaimthatthechildhasmisunderstoodwhathappened.
Supportthechildfordisclosing.Itisnotyourresponsibilitytodeterminewhethertheallegationis
true.Childrenseldomlieaboutabuse.
3. Protect–Alongwithanothertrustedadult,takethechildtoaprivateplace.Discussthesituation
onlywiththeseindividuals.Encouragethechildtotelltheproperauthoritieswhathappened,but
trytoavoidrepeatedinterviewsabouttheincidentthatcanbestressfultothechild.Neverpromise
thateverythingwillbeokay.Youcanpromisethatyouwilldowhatyoucantohelp.
4. Affirm–Childrenwhohavebeenvictimizedmayfeelsad,angry,fearful,anxious,anddepressed.
Acceptandunderstandthechild’sfeelings.Avoidtellingthechildhowheorshe“shouldfeel.”
Rather,emphasizethatthechildisnottoblameforwhathappened.Praisehim/herforcourage
andhonesty,andpromiseyouwillgethelp.
5. Refer–DONOTattempttohandletheproblemalone.Thisisimportantforthewellbeingofthe
childaswellasforyourownprotection.Asachildcarecustodian,youaremandatedbythelawto
reportchildabuse.
ReasonableSuspicion
Forreportingchildabuse,allthestaterequiresisthatyouhavereasonablesuspicionthatabuseoccurred;andany
personwhohasknowledgeofphysicalorsexualabuseisrequiredtoreportthistotheCampDirectororCamp
Principal.TheCampDirectororCampPrincipalisrequiredtoreporttoproperauthoritiessuchastheTexas
DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices,and/orlocallawenforcementagencies.Thosereportingareprotected
civillyiftheirreportsarebasedonfactualinformation.Whenareportisreceived,aninvestigationwillbecarried
outbytheproperofficialagency.ItisnottheCamp’sresponsibilitytoinvestigatetheseallegations.
Theintentionofthistrainingisthatwewanttocreateanenvironmentwherebothadultsandchildrenareaware
oftheabuseandreadytostopitbyrecognizingitandreportingittotheproperauthorities.Wewantyoutocare
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aboutthewelfareofchildrenandrealizeitisnotuptoyou,TexasDistrictCampsorthechurchtoinvestigatebut
reporttotheproperauthoritieswhoaretrainedinthatarea.Youdonothavetomakeanydecisionsaboutit;all
youhavetohaveisreasonablesuspicion.
SectionSummary
• Ifachilddisclosestoyouthatheorshehasbeenabused,youshouldrespondbyremainingcalm,listening
tothechild,andreassuringthechildthatheorsheisnottoblamefortheabuse.Thenreportthechild's
disclosureonlytotheproperauthorities.
• Ifyoususpectabuseorachilddisclosesabusetoyou,contacttheCampDirectororCampPrincipal.Itis
theCampDirectorand/orCampPrincipal’sresponsibilitytocontacttheparents,PastorandproperState
authorities.
• Thegoalofthistrainingistocreateanenvironmentinwhichbothadultsandchildrenarepreparedto
recognizeabuseandreportittotheproperauthorities.
NOTE:Permissionisgrantedforotherorganizationstoutilizethismaterial.ThankyoutotheBoyScoutsofAmerica
forpermissiontousematerialfromtheirtrainingcourseforthisdocument.
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