Recently,
the committee for Aging Children and Youth and Military affairs
received the annual report on Crimes Against Children from Arkansas
State Police.
The subject matter is difficult for anyone to review, but the report provides valuable information to our legislators in helping
to draft laws to protect our children.
The report revealed that in 2012 there were 62,052 calls
made to the Child Abuse Hotline in Arkansas. Of those calls 38,368 were
accepted as valid allegations of abuse or neglect and case workers were
assigned.
This is a sharp increase from just 4 years ago. In 2008,
51,592 calls were made to the hotline and just under 30,000 were
accepted as valid allegations.
Abuse can be physical or sexual. It includes non-accidental
physical injury, shaking a baby, tying a child up, and giving or
exposing a child to alcohol or other drugs. Reasonable and moderate
discipline (such as spanking) is generally not considered
abuse as long as it does not cause injury more serious than transient
pain or minor temporary marks and is administered by a parent or
guardian.
Neglect is failing to provide for appropriate food, shelter,
clothing, and medical care for a child. It is also failing to provide
an education for a child. Neglect also includes failing to prevent
abuse of a child. Leaving a child in a situation
that puts the juvenile at risk of harm, such as leaving a young child
alone at home or in a vehicle, is also considered neglect.
It could be easy to look at the recent report and say that
child abuse is increasing in our state, but that may not necessarily be
the case.
Captain Ron Stayton, who is the Crimes Against Children
Division Commander explained that the increase is largely due to more
reporting. Over the years, the legislature has worked to increase
mandated reporting in the state.
In
2009, the legislature added rape crisis advocates or volunteers, child
abuse advocates or volunteers and victim/witness coordinators
to the growing list of mandated reporters.
We continued to strengthen our reporting laws this previous
session by passing Act 784. This requires the Child Abuse Hotline to
accept reports of injury to a child’s intellectual, emotional, or
psychological development from a guidance counselor
licensed as a teacher.
The Arkansas Department of Human Services has extensive
tools and tips designed to help parents prevent abuse and help others to
look for the warning signs. You can find that information at
And if you suspect a child is being abused, you can call the hotline at 1-800-482-5964. The hotline operates 24 hours a day,
7 days a week.
