Physicians need to report abuse with photos
By Erica Rush, KCBY NewsCOOS BAY, Ore. -Child abuse in Coos County is constant battle for local advocates. Making the need to report suspected violence or assault that much more important, starting with their physicians. MultimediaThis year alone, the Children's Advocacy Center in Coos Bay has dealt with over 50 reports of child sex abuse. A resource for victims to reach out to, Program Manager Kathryn Gabel says it's important for physicians and school nurses to report any suspicious behavior, but also to follow the correct protocol. In 2007, Oregon passed Karly's Law, that lists the proper way to address child abuse issues for medical personnel, including documentation, both written and in pictures. "If a child has repeated visits clinics, different hospitals, there's x-rays but nobody reports if they don't know that there's a base line to look back at," said Gabel. There may have been broken bones in a young child and then the child may not survive the next one." Since the start of the year, the Children's Advocacy Center has received 33 Karly's Law reports, but Forensic Interviewer Michelle Nicolaus fears there's more cases going unreported. "Helping kids have a voice and really adults looking out for kids and noticing a suspicious bruise, a change in behavior and doing something about it," said Nicolaus. |
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February 9, 2012
- Coos Bay / North Bend, Oregon
