Child Abuse vs Discipline

1. Child Abuse vs Discipline

2. Discipline • The practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behaviour using punishment to correct disobedience

3. Child Abuse • Physical maltreatment or sexual molestation of a child.

4. Neglect • Failure to give due attention or care to a child resulting in serious emotional or physical harm

5. Behavioural Indicators • Frequent absence from school • Inappropriate acts or delinquent behaviour • Begging/Stealing food • Frequently tired • Seeks inappropriate affection • Mature for their age • Reports there is no caretaker

6. Physical Indicators • Poor hygiene • Unattended physical or medical needs • Consistent lack of supervision • Underweight, poor growth, failure to thrive • Constant hunger • Under nourished • Pale, unkept • Inappropriate clothing for the weather • Dirty clothes

7. Psychological / Emotional Abuse • Verbal attacks or demeaning actions that impact on a child’s self-esteem and self-worth

8. Behavioural Indicators • Depression • Withdrawl or aggressive behaviour • Overly compliant • Too neat and clean • Habit disorders (sucking, biting, rocking) • Learning disorders • Sleep disorders • Unusual fearfulness • Obsessive compulsive behaviour • Phobias • Extreme behaviour • Suicide attempts • Developmental delays

9. Physical Indicators • Bed-wetting • Headaches • Nausea • Speech disorders • Lags in physical development • Disruptive behaviour

10. PHYSICAL ABUSE • The intentional use of force against a child resulting in injury or causing bodily harm

11. SEXUAL ABUSE • Any form of sexual conduct (touching, exploitation, intercourse) directed at a child

12. What To Do • Believe in the child • Listen openly and calmly • Reassure the child • Write down the facts

13. Reporting • EVERYONE HAS A DUTY TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE • Contact local police or local child welfare agency • Reasonable grounds to suspect abuse is taking plae, report it immediately • Contacts • Family and Child Services of Waterloo Region 519-576-0540 • Kid’s Help Phone – 1-800-668-6868

14. Facts • Child abuse usually reflects patterns of behaviour rather than an isolated incident • Many abusers are parents, relatives or trusted adults rather than strangers • Children rarely lie about abuse • Child abuse does NOT have class boundaries

15. Prevention • Attend workshops or programs on parenting • Act when you see mistreatment of a child • Read children stories that deal with the issue “Eagle Child” or “The Secret of the Silver Horse” • Talk to children about their bodies and explain what is appropriate/inappropriate

16. Child Abuse Survivors • Demonstrate • Poor mental health • Unhappiness • Poor physical health • Childhood physical and sexual abuse • Medical diseases • Weak relationships • Isolation/social disconnection • Behavioural health affects (suicidal behaviour, substance abuse, physical inactivity etc.)

17. Discipline • Some ways parents discipline children include: • Raising your voice • Grounding • Sending to room • Taking away privileges • Others??

18. How Would you Discipline THIS child? • Child calls you stupid? • Child refuses to do something like take a bath? • Child disobeys you and kicks your cat • Child interrupts while you are on the phone • Child won’t stay in bed during bedtime and keeps coming out of their room • Child calls their sibling a bad word • Child bites another child Are there circumstances in which it is acceptable for parents to spank their children?

19. In 2004, the Supreme Court of Canada upheld the law outlined in Section 43 of the Criminal Code that allows parents and caregivers to physically discipline (i.e. spank) children in their care using what they describe as “reasonable force”. “Reasonable”, according to the Supreme Court, means that it should not be used in anger, should not involve any objects, and should only be used on children under the age of twelve. • The Supreme Court’s ruling disappoints many Canadians, as they believe that spanking or otherwise physically disciplining a child goes against their human rights. Several psychological studies conducted in the United States and Canada have determined that the use of physical punishment on children more often than not has lasting detrimental effects. • Despite this information, many North Americans continue to spank their children at times, and are pleased that the Supreme Court did not repeal Section 43. Abolishing this law would mean that a parent or other caregiver found spanking or otherwise disciplining a child in their care would be eligible to face criminal charges. Although many parents do not believe in spanking or physically disciplining their children, they do not see it as criminal behaviour

20. Reflection • On a sheet of paper, please discuss the issue of spanking children from your perspective. You can use the following questions to guide your response. When you are done, please submit the reflection to Mrs. Stewart. • Do you believe in spanking? • If yes, under what circumstances do you think it should happen? • If no, what do you think the best method to dealing with discipline is? • Why do you think spanking is effective? Ineffective? • At what point do you think spanking is being taken “too far”? • Have you ever seen a child get spanked? How did you feel? If not – how do you think you would react? • Add in any more of your opinions about spanking now