| Child Abuse |
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| REPORTS |
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As A Licensed Professional Counselor or Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
....you must report suspected child abuse
Oregon law recognizes these types of abuse:
PHYSICAL INJURY
- Bruises, welts, burns, cuts, broken bones, sprains, bites, etc., which are deliberately inflicted.
- Injuries may:
/ Be in the shape of the article used (electric cord, belt buckle, etc.).
/ Not match children´s description of how they occurred (fracture from falling off sofa, etc.).
NEGLECT
- Failure to provide food, shelter, medicine, etc. to such a degree that a child´s health and safety are endangered.
- Children often:
/ Don´t want to leave school.
/ Are constantly tired.
/ Are left alone with no supervision.
/ Have unmet physical, emotional, or medical needs.
SEXUAL ABUSE AND SEXUAL EXPLOITATION
- Any sexual contact in which a child is used to sexually stimulate another person is illegal. This may be anything from rape to fondling to involving a child in pornography.
- Children often have:
/ Difficulty walking or sitting; pain or itching in the genital area; torn, stained, or bloody underclothing.
/ Poor peer relationships; fantasy or infantile behavior; fear of being left with someone.
/ Inappropriate interest in, knowlege of, or acting out of sexual matters.
/ Any of the behavioral problems listed under "Mental Injury."
THREAT OF HARM
- Any action, statement, written, or nonverbal message which is serious enough to make a child believe s/he is in danger of being abused.
- Children may exhibit any of the behaviors listed on this page.
MENTAL INJURY
- A continuing pattern of rejecting, terrorizing, ignoring, isolating, or corrupting a child, resulting in serious damage to the child.
- Children often:
/ Have speech or sleep disorders.
/ Fail to grow normally.
/ Are very aggressive or withdrawn.
/ Show an abnormal need for emotional support.
CHILD SELLING
- Buying, selling or trading for legal or physical custody of a child.
- Does not apply to legitimate adoption or domestic relations planning.
If you think a child is being abused, you must report it to Services to Children and Families Offices or a law enforcement agency. More than half of the children we see were referred to us by mandatory reporters. You may be their best hope.
WHAT DOES REPORTING MEAN?
- You must report any "reasonable suspicion" of child abuse, according to Oregon law.
- SCF will assess the information you give us and take further action, if necessary.
- Your name will be kept confidential. Only a court of law can order a reporter´s name released.
- More comprehensive information on the symptoms of abuse and the law is available from SCF.
Each year in Oregon, about 25,000 reports of child abuse are made and nearly 15 children die from abuse. You can help these kids.
SCF practices non-discrimination and provides reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. This includes providing information about programs and services in an alternate format.
SERVICES TO CHILDREN
AND FAMILIES OFFICES
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Baker
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(541) 523-6423
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Benton
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(541) 757-4121
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Clackamas
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(503) 657-2112
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Clatsop
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(503) 325-9179
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Columbia
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(503) 397-3292
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Coos
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(541) 756-5500
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Crook
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(541) 447-6207
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Curry
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(541) 247-6666
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Deschutes
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(541) 388-6161
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Douglas
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(541) 440-3373
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Reedsport
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(541) 271-4851
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Gilliam/Wheeler
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(541) 384-4252
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Grant
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(541) 575-0728
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Harney
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(541) 573-2086
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Hood River
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(541) 386-2962
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Jackson
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(541) 776-6120
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Jefferson
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(541) 475-6830
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Josephine
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(541) 474-3120
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Klamath
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(541) 883-5570
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Lake
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(541) 947-2273
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Lane
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(541) 686-7555
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Lincoln
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(541) 265-8557
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Linn
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(541) 967-2060
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Malheur
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(541) 889-9588
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Marion
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(503) 378-6800
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Woodburn
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(503) 981-3071
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Morrow
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(541) 481-9482
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Multnomah
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(503) 731-3100
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Polk
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(503) 623-8118
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Sherman/Wasco
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(541) 298-5136
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Tillamook
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(503) 842-5571
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Umatilla
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Pendleton
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(541) 276-9220
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Hermiston
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(541) 567-7611
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Union
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(541) 963-8571
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Wallowa
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(541) 426-4558
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Washington
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(503) 648-8951
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Wheeler
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(541) 384-4252
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Yamhill
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(503) 472-4634
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Services to Children and Families
Oregon Dept of Human Resources
500 Summer Street NE
Salem, OR 97310-1017
12/98
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