Thursday, March 28, 2024, 12:27 PM
Site: State of Alabama Interactive Training
Course: State of Alabama Interactive Training (Training)
Glossary: Definitions
C

Child Neglect: Abandonment

May exist when the parents' relinquish their caregiving responsibility, and there is no current caregiver or the current caregiver can no longer provide care.

Child Neglect: Educational

DHR does not investigate as abuse/neglect reports of a child not attending school. Truancy issues are generally handled by the school district and court having jurisdiction in the child’s county of residence. 

Child Neglect: Inadequate Supervision

Failure to provide supervision that protects children from serious physical harm or sexual abuse.

Child Neglect: Mental Abuse/Neglect

Extreme and aberrant behavior that directly results in severe impairment to a child’s functioning.

Child Neglect: Negligent Treatment

Occurs when parents or primary caregivers negligently fail to protect children from a threat of serious harm. 

Child Protection Team

Under Code of Alabama § 26-16-50 (1975), "The Department of Human Resources shall provide for the development and coordination of the multi-disciplinary child protection teams created by this article and for the services to be provided by such teams throughout the state. Such teams shall be composed of representatives from the local department of human resources, the local law enforcement agencies, the local district attorneys' office, and the local educational agencies. The teams may also include representatives from the local health field, mental health services, local social service agencies, and local members of the legal profession.” 

Children's Advocacy Centers

Agencies that help coordinate investigations of child abuse by providing a child-friendly location for interviews and medical examinations and by coordinating services for children suspected of being abused. They offer assistance to the Alabama Department of Human Resources, the District Attorney’s Office, and law enforcement agencies, by using expertise in the areas of interviewing, counseling, and testimony on behalf of the child.

E

Emotional Abuse

The willful or reckless infliction of emotional or mental anguish or the use of a physical or chemical restraint, medication, or isolation as punishment or as a substitute for treatment or care of any protected person (Code of Alabama § 38-9-2(6) (1975)).

M

Mandated Reporter

Certain professionals are required by law to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation. For a list of the individuals who are mandated reporters of child abuse/neglect in Alabama, see the "Who Must Report?" section of "Child Abuse Mandated Reporters Training." For a list of the individuals who are mandated reporters of adult abuse/neglect/exploitation in Alabama, see Module 2 of "Adult Abuse Mandated Reporters Training." 

S

Sexual Abuse

Any conduct that is a crime as defined in Sections 13A-6-60 to 13A-6-70, inclusive (Code of Alabama § 38-9-2(22) (1975)). Forms of sexual abuse include rape, incest, sodomy, and indecent exposure.