Child Abuse and Neglect

HPW3C – Unit Four

Introduction

Childhood, especially the years from 0–6, establishes the foundation of a person’s life. Emotional, physical and sexual

abuse can have an impact across an entire lifetime. Abuse and neglect happen to young children and teenagers

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“Removed” Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOeQUwdAjE0

What is Child Abuse?

Child abuse is any form of physical, emotional and/or sexual mistreatment or lack of care that causes injury or emotional damage to a child or youth. The misuse of power and/or a

breach of trust are part of all types of child abuse.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGJByYzSmcc

Types of Child Abuse

Emotional abuse is a chronic attack on a child or youth’s self-esteem by a person in a position of trust or authority. Rejecting, degrading, isolating, terrorizing, corrupting, ignoring, and exploiting are all forms of emotional abuse.

Exposure to family violence is when children or youth witness violence being done by one family member to another.

Physical abuse is when a person in a position of trust or authority purposefully injures or threatens to injure a child or youth.

Neglect is the chronic inattention to the basic necessities in life such as:ClothingShelter

Healthy dietEducation

Good hygieneSupervision

Medical and dental careAdequate rest

Safe environmentMoral guidance and discipline

ExerciseFresh air

Sexual abuse is when a younger or less powerful person is used by an older or more powerful child, youth or adult for sexual gratification. Sexual abuse can be contact or non-contact.

ContactTouched in sexual areas (mouth, breasts, buttocks, anus, and genital area)Forced to touch another’s sexual areasHeld in a sexual wayAnally or vaginally penetratedNon-contactShown sexual videosBeing flashed/exposed to sexual body parts, in person or through technologyForced to listen to sexual talkForced to pose for seductive photosForced to look at sexual body parts of another person

Statistics on child abuse—emotional, physical, and sexual—and neglect

Emotional AbuseIn 2005, UNICEF estimated that between

133–275 million children worldwide are exposed to violence in the family.

Among the types of emotional maltreatment, verbal abuse in the form of name-calling is the most commonly experienced

Physical AbuseA study in Ontario found that 31 per

cent of males and 21 per cent of females experienced physical abuse during childhood.

Statistics cont....

NeglectIn 2003, neglect was the most

common form of child maltreatment reported to social workers in Canada.

Sexual AbuseEighty-five per cent of child sexual abuse

victims know their sexual abusers.

In British Columbia, more than one in three street or marginalized youth had been sexually exploited by men and women; males were as likely as females to be sexually exploited; 60 per cent of sexually exploited youth are Aboriginal.

In a study with Toronto street youth, one-third of these youth had experienced severe physical or sexual abuse or both

Abandonment/Separation – When a child has been abandoned, the child’s parent

has died or is unavailable to exercise his or her custodial rights and has not made adequate provisions for the child’s care and custody. It also occurs when a child is in residential placement and the parent refuses or is unable or unwilling to resume the child’s care and custody.

If you suspect or know about child abuse, take action

When violence is suspected or when violence is disclosed, adults have a responsibility to take action.

ACTION 1: Acknowledge the child’s situation and feelings. Carefully listen to what the child says, but do not “interview” the child.

ACTION 2: Comfort the child and ensure that they are safe. Remember that child abuse and neglect are never the child’s fault.

ACTION 3: Take notes and document what the child says and/or what you see, and then take action by immediately reporting the violence to your local child protection authority or the police.

When in doubt, report suspected child abuse.  You do not have to be 100 per cent certain that abuse has occurred. The safety of the child or youth may be at risk. The authorities have the responsibility to determine the facts and evidence, not you.

The person who hears the disclosure or suspects child abuse or neglect must make the report.

In Ontario……..

Memorandum 145 - Progressive Discipline and Promoting Positive Student Behaviour,  2009

Child and Family Services Act, 1990

Children's Law Reform Act, 1990

Family Law Act, 1990

Terms to know: Section 72 – rules of suspicions

Duty to Report – Age Limits

The Child and Family Services Act defines a child in need of protection as a child who is or who appears to be suffering from abuse and/or neglect. The Act clearly specifies how you can identify

these children in Section 72 (1).

What is the age of the children to whom the “duty to report” applies? It applies to any child who is, or appears to be, under the age of 16 years. It also applies to children

already under a child protection order who are 16 and 17 years old.

What factors can lead to neglect or physical, sexual, or emotional abuse?

• A family history of violence

• Stress

• Alcoholism

• Mental Illness

Strategies Early Childhood Educators can use to anticipate and prevent neglect and physical,

sexual, and emotional abuse:

• Education

• Communication

• Policy Development

» Family & Children's Services Niagara» Les Services à la famille et à l’enfance de

Niagara» 82 Hannover Drive

St. Catharines, Ontario L2W 1A4 mapBus: (888) 937-7731 or (905) 937-7731

Fax: (905) 646-7085 http://www.facsniagara.on.ca/

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