Child abuse casts a shadow the length of a lifetime.

  -Herbert Ward 

Child AbuseBy: Rob Roy, Toby Punton, Len Metro, Julius Grosz

It is everyone’s legal obligation to protect children. The responsibility involves identifying and reporting a child who is or might be in need of protection. 

Any individual who suspects child abuse should report it (this includes any staff in the building – EA’s, resource, teachers, etc)

Consultation with others in authority is strongly advised (example – student teachers, volunteers)

DO: Thank the child for telling

you and reassure the child that you like him/her and that you care about her/him

Tell the child that you understand what has been disclosed

Tell the child that help is needed to deal with the problem and YOU will get the help

Tell the child that you will be available for support

DON’T: Display anger or disgust

at the abuse or abuser

Ask leading questions, many children will agree with a leading question simply to please the adult the child may unconsciously

incorporate the information without realizing it did not occur in their experience

REMEMBER IS IT THE ROLE OF STAFF TO SUPPORT AND REPORT, NOT INTERVIEW AND INVESTIGATE.

In the last 10 years the number of reported cases of child abuse has increased dramatically. It is assumed that this has occurred because we have become more skilled in noting the indicators of abuse.

ABUSED CHILD

hungry or dirty and dressed in clothes inappropriate for the weather

untreated physical problems

appears consistently tired

demands greater than normal attention from teacher

ABUSED CHILD

poor self-image or inhibited in play

shows age inappropriate behaviour – acts older or younger

poor social relationships with peers or adults

cognitive or emotional developmental lag

ABUSIVE PARENT

belittles child in public

withholds comfort from child

describes child in negative terms (stupid, bad, trouble-maker)

expects child to assume the role of another adult figure

ABUSED CHILD

has injuries or marks that are unexplained

shies away from physical contact wears clothing to cover injuries afraid to go home fearful of adults distressed at having to explain an

injury behaves in either a demanding,

aggressive, or disruptive manner is frequently absent with signs of

a healing injury upon returning

ABUSIVE PARENT

defensive and angry when asked about child’s injury

is under stress and shows signs of losing control

unrealistic expectations of child

offers unconvincing explanations of child’s injury

does not seek medical attention following child’s injury

ABUSED CHILD

frequently complains of abdominal pain and genital discomfort

displays sexual behaviour, sometimes beyond their developmental level

displays behaviour suggested of fear or trauma including wetting

may experience sudden changes in mood/behaviour

ABUSIVE PARENT

makes sexual comments to or about the child or blames child for being seductive

discourages social contact between the child and adults

inappropriate sleeping arrangements in the home

Document any suspicion in an objective manner

Things to include when documenting are:▪ Date and time of entry▪ Full name of child▪ Signature of person making the entry▪ Description of injury (include shape, size, colour, and

location on body)▪ Drastic changes or chronic problems with behaviour▪ Direct quotes from the child

If you have reasonable cause to believe that a child is or might be in need of protection, immediately contact a child protection agency. The agency will then:

▪ Confirm that a formal report should be made▪ Consult with the teacher and suggest further

monitoring and documentation

YOU CAN INFORM YOUR ADMINISTRATION OF THIS BEFORE OR AFTER YOU CALL CFS, BUT

YOU STILL MUST MAKE THE CALL.

The quickest way to report a suspicion is to phone a Child and Family Services Agency.

When you make the call, be sure to include the following information:

▪ record the individual’s name as well as time and date of your call

▪ provide CFS with information of the child (name, address, etc)

▪ nature of the suspected concern (include documentation)▪ your name, professional address, daytime phone

number, and relationship to the child

After the phone call, fill out a report form with your principal.

No person, staff and/or CFS worker, shall disclose or communicate information from the record in any form to any person

However... If a parent/guardian requests to see their

child’s school file, this information is available. Faced with the documentation, the identity of the reporter would be revealed. This contradicts the confidentiality in the policy and, we feel, should be improved.

Failure to report by any professional can have two serious consequences:

▪ the child goes unprotected and sustains further abuse

▪ the educator can face both legal and professional penalties