Child Abuse Brochure

Mohave County
Attorney’s Office
Victim/Witness Program
(928) 718-4967
325 Pine St., Kingman, AZ 86401
P.O. Box 7000, Kingman, AZ 86402-7000

  • Children as Victims
  • What Should You Do If a Child You Know is Being Abused
  • Signs and Symptoms
  • Resources

The Mohave County Attorney’s Office is dedicated to prosecuting individuals who harm children. Using a team approach to prosecution enables the Mohave County Attorney’s Office to effectively handle the complexities of child abuse cases.

The team consists of the following members:

  • Mohave County Attorney’s Office:
    Attorneys who are experts in prosecuting cases involving crimes against children.
  • Victim/Witness Program:
    Victim/Witness Advocates who specialize in helping child victims and their families throughout the prosecution of a case. These advocates work closely with the attorneys to avoid secondary victimization to the child.
  • Police Agencies:
    Officers investigate any allegation of child abuse using the Multidisciplinary Protocol for the Investigation of Child Abuse guidelines. The officers will also coordinate with the Mohave County Attorney’s Office to ensure the needs of the crime victim are met.

This team is dedicated to the investigation, prosecution, and welfare of the child victims.

Children As Victims

Children are more vulnerable because of their size, age, and dependence on adults. Children have little or no control over who lives in their home or who associates with members of the household. Certain children are targeted more frequently, including shy, lonely, and compliant children, as well as pre-verbal children, very young children, and those labeled as “bad kids.” Children with physical, emotional, or developmental disabilities are particularly vulnerable.

What To Do If A Child You Know Is Being Abused

  • If you believe the child may be in immediate physical danger, call 911.
  • Depending on your relationship to the minor, you may have a legal duty to report the suspected abuse to law enforcement and/or Child Protective Services, and failure to do so could be a criminal offense.
  • If you are unsure, you should tell someone who will listen and take action.

Individuals who hurt children can be charged with various crimes including:

  • Sexual abuse
  • Sexual conduct with a minor
  • Sexual assault
  • Molestation of a child
  • Homicide
  • Commercial sexual exploitation of a minor
  • Sexual exploitation of a minor
  • Incest
  • Child prostitution
  • Child abuse

The offender may be a parent, but could be other family members, friends, neighbors, acquaintances, babysitters, caretakers, and strangers. The closer the relationship of the child to the offender, the stronger the feelings of betrayal and loss of trust felt by the child. Detecting initial injuries, signs or symptoms and providing intervention can minimize or prevent further abuse.

Signs And Symptoms

Some signs and symptoms of child abuse include:

  • Head injuries and/or multiple injuries to the body
  • Frequent bacterial infections, genital rash, vaginal discharge
  • Fractures or bruises in an infant who has not yet learned to walk
  • Immersion burns from scalding hot water or cigarette burns
  • Injury to buttocks or scalp (bruising or hair loss)
  • Injury to bony body parts (shins, knees, elbows, etc.)
  • Dramatic changes in performance at school, disruptive or overly aggressive behavior
  • Emotional/behavioral changes, runaway, truancy, drug abuse
  • Interest in sexual acts or display of sexual knowledge beyond child’s years, including masturbatory behavior
  • Extremely passive, withdrawn or hostile towards authority figures

RESOURCES

  • Mohave County Attorney’s Office Victim/Witness Program
    325 Pine Street
    Kingman, Arizona 86401
    (928) 718-4967
  • Mohave County Attorney’s Office
    315 North 4th Street
    Kingman, Arizona 86401
    (928) 753-0719
  • Mohave County Superior Court
    401 East Spring Street
    Kingman, Arizona 86401
    (928) 753-0713
  • Department of Child Safety – Child Abuse Hotline
    (888) 767-2445
  • Childhelp USA – Child Abuse Hotline
    (800) 4-A-Child (422-4453)
  • National Criminal Justice Reference Service
    Internet Safety for Children
    http://www.ncjrs.gov/internetsafety/children.html
  • National Sexual Abuse Hotline – RAINN
    1-(800)-656-HOPE (4673)