Skip to main content

Windham Central Supervisory Union

Act One

Act One

Section 10 of the Act 1 mandate requires that

"A licensed child care facility shall ensure that all individuals working at the facility receive orientation, based on materials recommended by the Agency of Human Services and the Department of Education, on the prevention, identification, and mandatory reporting of child abuse, including child sexual abuse, signs and symptoms of sexual abuse, sexual violence, grooming processes, recognizing the dangers of child sexual abuse in and close to the home, and other predatory behaviors of sex offenders." 

Child sexual abuse can include actual physical contact as well as behavior that does not include physical contact.  

Examples:  sexting, viewing pornography, trafficking / trade or exposure to sexualized behaviors. 

 

 

 

Fast Facts: Preventing Child Abuse & Neglect |Violence Prevention|Injury Center|CDC 

National Sex Offender Website 

 

Impact of Sexual Abuse

  • Exposure to childhood sexual abuse is associated with failing to achieve secondary school, gaining higher education or a university degree

  • Youth who experienced sexual assault were twice as likely to report alcohol use or other drug dependence

  • Girls who have been victims often suffer from traumatic and profound lack of self-esteem

  • Boys who have been victims are at increased risk for more physical symptoms, eating disorders and risky behaviors

 

Grooming

  • Subtle, gradual and escalating process of building trust with a child.  It is deliberate and purposeful.  

  • Grooming may include:

  • Befriending a child

  • Testing boundaries by telling inappropriate jokes, backrubs, tickling, etc.

  • Manipulating the child to not tell anyone about what is happening

  • Confusing the child into feeling responsible for abuse

 

Grooming Adolescents

This may include:

  • Identifying with the adolescent - being the only one who understand the adolescent

  • Common interests:  sports, music, movies, etc.

  • Giving gifts of special privileges

  • Communicating with the adolescent outside of the person's role

  • Allowing or encouraging the adolescent to break rules (smoking, drinking, etc.)

 

Concerning Behaviors

  • Sexual knowledge and behavior beyond the normal developmental stage

  • Mimics adult-like sexual behavior with toys or dolls

  • Extreme behaviors, from a lack of emotion to aggressive and risk-taking behavior

  • Displays of sudden, unexplained personality changes or mood swings; acts out or becomes withdrawn

  • Refusal to talk about a secret shared with and adult or youth

 

How to Respond if  a Child Tells You About Abuse

  • Stay calm.

  • Don't question the child about the abuse - this could jeopardize an investigation and could be traumatizing

  • Assist the child in finding the designated staff member for him or her to talk to (Guidance Counselor, Nurse, Principal)

  • Thank the child for telling and praise him or her for her courage and trust

  • Be careful not to make negative comments about the alleged abuser

 

Reporting

As mandated reporters, you are legally obligated to make a report, even if it is just a suspicion.  You must report to DCF within 24 hours of the child's disclosure to you.

  • Respect the child's privacy and maintain confidentiality

  • Notify the building principal, before contacting DCF, whenever possible

  • Contact DCF's 24-Hour Child Protection Line within 24 hours of the disclosure

    • DCF 1-800-649-5285

For more information:

1(800) CHILDREN (VT) | (802) 229-5724 Prevent Child Abuse: Vermont