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GUIDELINES ON CHILD ABUSE
              The following pages contain information relating to child abuse.  It is extremely important to
              make yourself familiar with the information.  If you have any suspicions or concerns regarding
              a child, please get in touch with the Early Childhood Program Director and begin to keep an
              anecdotal record of the child.

              CHARACTERISTICS OF BATTERED CHILDREN
              Abused children endure life as if they are alone in a dangerous world, with no real hope of
              safety.  Feeling unprotected, an abused child tries to protect himself in all the ways he can.
                    Unexplained bruises, welts, cuts or other injuries; broken bones; or burns
                       Child may seem withdrawn or depressed
                    Child seems afraid to go home or may run away
                    Child may shy away from physical contact, be aggressive
                       May wear inappropriate clothing to hide injuries.

              INDICATORS OF CHILD NEGLECT
              There are various characteristics that can describe child neglect in general. The following are
              characteristics that may indicate physical neglect:
                    Malnourished
                    Ill-clad or dirty
                    Overcrowded or unhealthy sleeping arrangements
                    Receiving inadequate supervision
                    Unattended medial needs
                    Frequently tired or hungry, steal food
                    Appear overly needy for adult attention

              INDICATORS OF SEXUAL ABUSE
                    Torn, stained or bloody underwear
                    Trouble walking or sitting, pain or itching in genital area or sexually transmitted disease
                    Unusual knowledge of sex or act seductively
                    Fear a particular person, seem withdrawn or depressed
                    Gain or lose weight suddenly
                    Shy away from physical contact, or run away from home

              Patterns of Abuse:  Serious abuse usually involves a combination of factors.  While a single sign
              may not be significant, a pattern of physical or behavioral signs is serious indicator and should
              be reported.

              REPORTING CHILD ABUSE
              In Florida, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) investigates reports of suspected
              child abuse, abandonment and neglect.  DCF Team members are available to receive referrals
              at  the  state  office  24  hours  a  day  (1-800-96-ABUSE  or  1-800-962-2873)  or  report  online  at:
              http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/abuse/report. Calls received at DCF during normal working hours
              are immediately referred to the appropriate district office.  DCF accepts all reports of suspected
              child abuse, abandonment and neglect and other referrals in writing, online, by telephone and
              in  person  from  all  sources  including  identified  sources,  news  media,  anonymous  sources,
              sources that have incomplete information, and referrals from the child or parent himself.
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