Mandatory Reporting Of Child Abuse And Neglect Policy

Lapapoe aims to provide a safe, secure, and quality experience for all families. This includes effective protection for children. This Safeguarding policy sets out the terms and conditions for interacting with children. It applies to all who use our site. Please read this policy carefully before joining our platform.

1 ABOUT US

Lapapoe.com (the “Site”) is a site operated by Lapapoe LLC (“Lapapoe”, “we” or “us”). We are registered in United States, with Georgia Secetary of State, under Control Number 22136875 and have our office at 84 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30303.

1.1 To contact us, please email info@lapapoe.com.

2 ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

2.1 By accessing or using any part of the site you engage in our “Service” and thereby agree to abide by our policies. If you do not agree to abide by our policies, you must not use our site.

3 STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT

All advisors, members of staff, independent contractors (“Partner”, “Partners”), and interns of Lapapoe LLC fully recognize the responsibility to have a clear and secure framework in place to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and are committed to safeguarding all children.
Lapapoe LLC will continue to maintain an ethos where children and families feel secure, are listened to, and feel safe. Lapapoe LLC and Partners will take all welfare concerns seriously and will always act in the best interest of the child.
This policy sets out how Lapapoe LLC discharges it statutory responsibilities relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. In addition, the parameters of this policy apply to all core business of Lapapoe LLC, including all activities commissioned by third party partners and external activity providers. This policy applies to all who use Lapapoe’s site.

4 LEGISLATION & STATUTORY GUIDANCE
4.1 The practices and procedures within this policy are based on the principles contained within the Georgia Law and Government Guidance. The following laws must be considered
(a) The Georgia Child Abuse Law, O.C.G.A. §19-7-5,
(b) Georgia Mandated Reporter Law O.C.G.A. 19-7-5
4.2 The Georgia Mandated Reporter Law (O.C.G.A. 19-7-5) states that “mandated reporters” are required (by Georgia law) to report incidents of child abuse and neglect. Georgia law states that “Any person or official required by subsection (c) of this Code section to report a suspected case of child abuse who knowingly and willfully fails to do so shall be guilty of a misdemeanor”

4.3 If you suspect any form of child abuse you are required to make a report immediately but no later than 24 hours, following your suspicion. You can complete the form located on the Child Protective Services Website https://cps.dhs.ga.gov/Main/Default.aspx

4.4 If you have an immediate emergency, it is imperative to call 911 or your local police department.

5 DEFINITIONS
“Child Abuse means physical injury or death inflicted upon a child by a parent or caretaker thereof by other than accidental means; provided, however, that physical forms of discipline may be used as long as there is no physical injury to the child” O.C.G.A.§ 19-7- 5 (b)(A). The term “child abuse” also includes the neglect or exploitation of a child by a parent or caretaker, as well as the sexual abuse or sexual exploitation of a child by any person.
These definitions have been obtained from the Georgia Department of Public Health. It is important to be aware of the signs caused by specific health care conditions and differentiate accordingly. Any cause for concern should always be reported.

5.1 The Georgia Child Abuse Law, O.C.G.A. §19-7-5, requires nurses and all public health employees to report suspected child abuse. Child abuse is a broad term that includes, but is not limited to, physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, and emotional abuse of children

5.2 Sexual Abuse is the exploitation of a child for the sexual gratification of an adult or older child. Sexual abuse is most commonly perpetrated by an individual known to the victim, rarely is the offender a stranger. One-third of all sexual abuse is perpetrated by another child. Sexual abuse includes touching offenses: fondling, sodomy, rape; and non-touching offenses: child prostitution, indecent exposure and exhibitionism, utilizing the internet as a vehicle for exploitation. Sexual abuse does not include consensual sex acts involving persons of the opposite sex when the sex acts are between minors at least 14 years old or between a minor and an adult who is not more than four years older than the minor.

5.3 “Sexual abuse” of a child means a person’s employing, using, persuading, inducing, enticing, or coercing any minor who is not that person’s spouse to engage in any act which involves:
a) Sexual intercourse, including genital-genital, oral-genital, anal-genital, or oral-anal, whether between persons of the same or opposite sex;
b) Bestiality;
c) Masturbation;
d) Lewd exhibition of the genitals or pubic area of any person;
e) Flagellation or torture by or upon a person who is nude;
f) Being fettered, bound, or otherwise physically restrained on the part of a person who is nude;
g) Physical contact in an act of apparent sexual stimulation or gratification with any person’s clothed or unclothed genitals, pubic area, or buttocks or with a female’s clothed or unclothed breasts;
h) Defecation or urination for the purpose of sexual stimulation; or
i) Penetration of the vagina or rectum by any object except when done as part of a recognized medical procedure.”

5.3.1 Potential Signs of Sexual Abuse include, but is not limited to:
a) Difficulty walking or sitting
b) Torn, stained or bloody underclothing
c) Pain, swelling or itching in the genital area
d) Pain on urination
e) Bruises, bleeding, discharge or laceration in external genitalia area
f) Presence of sexually transmitted disease
g) Frequent urinary or yeast infections

h) Inappropriate sex play or advanced sexual knowledge and promiscuity
i) Hysteria, lack of emotional control
j) Sudden school difficulties
k) Withdrawal or depression
l) Excessive worrying about siblings
m) Difficult peer relationships, resists involvement with peers
n) Self-imposed social isolation
o) Avoidance of physical contact or closeness
p) Sudden massive weight change (loss or gain)

5.4 Emotional Abuse is a pattern of behavior that impairs a child’s emotional development or sense of self-worth. It can occur in a range of ways such as verbal abuse, rejection, terrorizing, shameful forms of punishment, withholding physical and emotional contact; developmentally inappropriate expectations; exposure to domestic violence that may impact a child’s personal safety.

5.4.1 Emotional abuse can occur as a pattern of behavior that occurs over a period of time.

5.4.2 Signs of emotional abuse can include, but are not limited to:
a) Speech or other communicative disorder Delayed physical development
b) Exacerbation of existing conditions, such as asthma or allergies
c) Substance abuse
d) Habit disorders (sucking, rocking)
e) Antisocial or destructive behaviors, including delinquency
f) Neurotic traits (sleep disorders, inhibition to play)
g) Behavioral extremes (passivity or aggression)
h) Developmental delays

5.5 Neglect is the failure of a parent or other caregiver to provide for the child’s basic needs. This can include: Physical (Lack of adequate food, shelter, clothing, or medical care, Emotional (Inattention to a child’s emotional needs, or permitting the use of alcohol or other drugs ) Lack of supervision (for optimal growth and development ) Medical (Failure to provide medical or mental health needs)

5.5.1 Signs of Neglect can include, but are not limited to:
a) Consistent hunger
b) Poor hygiene
c) Inappropriate dress
d) Consistent lack of supervision
e) Unattended physical problems or medical needs
f) Delay in seeing medical care for an injury
g) Underweight
h) Poor growth patterns
i) Failure to thrive
j) Distended stomach, emaciated look
k) Self-destructive behaviors
l) Begging, stealing food
m) Extended stays at school (early arrival and late pickup)
n) Constant fatigue, listlessness, or falling asleep in class
o) Assuming adult responsibilities and concerns
p) Statements of no caretaker in the home
q) Neo-natal abstinence syndrome
5.5.2 Children with special health care needs are at higher risk for neglect. It is important to be aware of the signs caused by their health care conditions and differentiate accordingly. Any cause for concern should always be reported.

5.6 Physical abuse is the non-accidental physical injury of a child as a result of beating, punching, burning, hitting, or otherwise harming that is inflicted by a person who has responsibility of the child. Such injury is considered abuse regardless if the caregiver intended to hurt the child.

5.6.1 Potential signs of physical abuse include but are not limited to:

a) Unexplained bruises and welts on body parts such as: face, lip, mouth, torso, back, buttocks, thigs. This can also include an imprint of the article used to inflict injury (belt, electrical cord) and an excessive number or severity of bruises
b) Unexplained burns such as: Cigar, cigarette burns, especially on soles of feet, palms, back, or buttocks. It can also include immersion burns (sock-like, glove- like)
c) Unexplained fractures/dislocations. This can be in conjunction with a history or explanation that is inconsistent with the severity or type of injury found
d) Feeling deserving of punishment
e) Wary of adult contact or frightened of parents
f) Reporting injury
g) Self-destructive behavior
h) Withdrawn or aggressive behavioral extremes
i) Uncomfortable with physical contact
j) Complains of soreness or moves uncomfortably
k) Wears clothing inappropriate for weather to cover body

6 RESPONSIBILITY OF PARTNERS

6.1 Lapapoe conducts various background, criminal and sexual offender checks. This is to ensure that we maintain a safe and quality registry. It is the sole liability and obligation of Partners to report any concerns of child abuse appropriately. By joining Lapapoe, partners are adhering to the requirement to report any concerns of child abuse or neglect and is aware that Lapapoe does not accept liability.
6.2 An oral report or written (or online) must be made with the patient’s name and address, the nature and extent of the injuries, and any other information that might be helpful in establishing the cause of the injuries and the identity of the perpetrator. If the initial report is made orally, then a written follow-up report must be made. The individual suspecting child abuse may consult with the District Health Director (DHD) prior to making the report, so long as the report is made within 24 hours per O.C.G.A. §19-7-5. In any event, after making the report, the individual should notify the DHD that a child abuse report has been made and provide a copy.
6.3 The responsibility of a mandated reporter is to ensure that a report is made whenever there is reason to believe that a child has been the victim of abuse. It is the responsibility of DFCS to review the report and decide whether further investigation is warranted. If the report is on a family that already has an open case with DFCS, the current suspicions must still be made to the DFCS intake worker.
6.4 Mandated reporters filing a report in good faith are protected under the law from civil or criminal liability for reporting. Any person or official who is required to report and knowingly and willfully fails to do so shall be guilty of a misdemeanor O.C.G.A. § 19-7-5 (f).
6.5 If you suspect any form of child abuse you are required to make a report immediately but no later than 24 hours, following your suspicion. You can complete the form located on the Child Protective Services Website https://cps.dhs.ga.gov/Main/Default.aspx

7 TERMINATION
7.1 Advisors, members of staff, independent contractors, or interns making a report of child abuse and neglect in good faith shall not be discharged or removed from the Lapapoe site, disciplined, or otherwise discriminated against. Nor shall any advisors, members of staff, independent contractors, or interns be threatened with any negative treatment because of a report.

7.2 Any advisors, members of staff, independent contractors, or interns who fail to report suspected child abuse or neglect in violation of this policy may be found to be in violation of an applicable work rule and may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment or removal from the site.