Child Abuse

Child Abuse

Legal Responsibilties/Legal Terms
1. Every person in Ontario must report to Children's Aid Society
2. Fail to report to CAS can result in a $1,000 fine
3. It is under provincial/territorial law that adults are responsible to report suspicions of abuse in their ECE programs
What Is Child Abuse?
1. Child abuse is maltreatment that consitutes all forms of physical or emotional ill-treatment
2. In the province of Ontario, a child is considered 16 years old
3. Possible indications that a child is need of protection: bruises, aggressive behaviour, fear
Types of Abuse
1. Physical: When a person injures or threatens to injure a child (ex:children may not be able to recall what happened to them)
  1. Sexual: Use of a child for sexual gratification (ex: Uses toys inappropiately)
2. Emotional: Most difficult type of abuse to identify (ex: Child fails to thrive)
3. Neglect: When parents fail to provide the basic emotional and physical needs for the child (ex: personal hygiene, clothing, shelter, food)
What to do when a child discloses to you
1. Keep calm and try not to show any emotion, do not display horror or shock
  1. Assure the child, ex: "You did the right thing by telling me."
2. Tell them, that you can't keep a secret and assure them that there are people that can help you

Resource summary

	Created by hayleymariecarte about 10 years ago