Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting
Fractures and Child Abuse
Fractures are the second most common injury in child physical abuse. Certain fractures are more specific indicators of abuse. Common but low specificity indicates typical presentation in childhood without consistent or significant evidence of child abuse.
High specificity
- Classic metaphyseal lesions
- Rib fractures, especially posterior
- Scapular fractures
- Spinous process fractures
- Sternal fractures
- Any infant with an unexplained fracture
Moderate specificity
- Multiple fractures, especially bilateral
- Fractures of different ages
- Epiphyseal separations
- Vertebral body fractures and subluxations
- Digital fractures
- Complex skull fractures
Common but low specificity
- Subperiosteal new bone formation
- Clavicular fractures
- Long bone shaft fractures, unless child pre-ambulatory
- Linear skull fractures
Definition of Child Abuse and Neglect in Oregon
Every state has laws in place to define and protect children from abuse and neglect. Oregon's definitions and resources can be referenced through the Department of Human Services
By Oregon law, PTAs are Mandatory Reporters of child and elder abuse and neglect. If a licensed PTA suspects abuse/neglect, there is a legal obligation to report the alleged abuse to law enforcement or the Department of Human Services.
The following statistics are from the 2009 Child Welfare Data Book published by DHS
Child protective services
67,885 reports of abuse and neglect were received.
28,584 reports were referred for investigation.
7,240 referrals were founded for abuse or neglect—involving 11,090 victims.
48.1 percent of victims were younger than 6 years old.
Threat of harm was the largest type of maltreatment incident experienced by victims (49.8 percent of incidents), followed by neglect incidents (31.1 percent of incidents).
Family services
At 42.1 percent, alcohol and drug issues represented the largest single family stress factor when child abuse/neglect was present.
The next most common stressors were domestic violence (31.7 percent) and parental involvement with law enforcement (27.0 percent).
Child Abuse/Neglect Reports and Investigations
During 2015 Oregon DHS received 69,972 reports of suspected child abuse or neglect. Of those, 32,682 reports were referred for investigation.
Of the reports referred for investigation, 6,708 were founded for abuse or neglect involving 10,402 victims; 46.6% were younger than 6 years old.
Public and private officials required by law to report suspected child abuse and neglect made 76 percent of the reports of abuse and neglect received by DHS.
Of all reports, 38.0 percent came from schools and law enforcement agencies.
10.6% of all reports of child abuse in Oregon were filed by medical personnel
There were 676 founded child abuse cases in Lane County; 606 founded cased in Jackson County, and 215 founded cases in Josephine County
Oregon Department of Human Services. 2015 Child Welfare Data Book. State of Oregon. Web 1 April 2016.
Guidelines to responding and reporting to accounts of abuse are found on the Oregon Department of Human Services website.
PTAs can access the "Report Child Abuse and Neglect" link to identify local child welfare offices by county in order to expedite the reporting process.
