Child Abuse

1. Child Abuse By Karen Yik

2. Child Abuse Statistics in Canada • A child dies every week in Canada at the hands of a caregiver. • 70% of children who are victims of homicide are killed before the age of 5. • 80% of abusers are known to their child victims. • More than 90% of child abuse cases are unreported. • 1 out of every 3 female children and 1 out of every 6 male children in Canada will experience an unwanted sexual act before they reach adulthood. • It is estimated that children with disabilities are 4 to 10 times more vulnerable to sexual abuse than their nondisabled peers.

3. Understanding Child Abuse: The Myths • It’s only abuse if it’s violent • Physical abuse is just one type. Neglect and emotional abuse can be just as damaging, but they are more subtle, others are less likely to intervene.

4. Understanding Child Abuse: The Myths • Only bad people abuse their children • Not all abusers are intentionally harming their children. • Many have been victims of abuse themselves, and don’t know any other way to parent. Others may be struggling with mental health issues or a substance abuse problem.

5. Understanding Child Abuse: The Myths • Child abuse doesn’t happen in “good” families • Child abuse doesn’t only happen in poor families or bad neighbourhoods. • It crosses all racial, economic, and cultural lines. • Sometimes, some families who seem to have it all from the outside are hiding a different story behind closed doors.

6. Understanding Child Abuse: The Myths • Most child abusers are strangers • While abuse by strangers does happen, most abusers are family members or others close to the family.

7. Understanding Child Abuse: The Myths • Abused children always grow up to be abusers • It is true that abused children are more likely to repeat the cycle as adults, unconsciously repeating what they experienced as children. • On the other hand, many adult survivors of child abuse have a strong motivation to protect their children against what they went through and become excellent parents.

8. Types of Child Abuse • Neglect • Emotional Abuse • Physical Abuse • Sexual Abuse

9. Neglect Definition: Failure to give due attention or care to a child resulting in serious emotional or physical harm.

10. Neglect Warning signs: • Poor hygiene (unbathed, matted and unwashed hair, noticeable body odor) • Clothes are ill-fitting, filthy, or inappropriate for the weather • Untreated illnesses and physical injuries • Is frequently late or missing from school

11. Emotional Abuse Definition: Verbal attacks or demeaning actions that impact on a child’s self esteem and self worth.

12. Emotional Abuse Warning signs: • Excessively withdrawn, fearful, or anxious about doing something wrong • Shows extremes in behaviour (extremely compliant or extremely demanding; extremely passive or extremely aggressive) • Doesn’t seem to be attached to the parent or caregiver • Acts either inappropriately adult (taking care of other children) or inappropriately infantile (rocking, thumb-sucking, throwing tantrums)

13. Physical Abuse Definition: The intentional use of force against a child resulting in injury or causing bodily harm.

14. Physical Abuse Warning signs: • Frequent injuries or unexplained bruises, welts, or cuts • Is always watchful and ‘on alert” as if waiting for something bad to happen • Injuries appear to have a pattern such as marks from a hand or belt • Shies away from touch, flinches at sudden movements, or seems afraid to go home • Wears inappropriate clothing to cover up injuries, such as long-sleeved shirts on hot days

15. Sexual Abuse Definition: Any form of sexual conduct (touching, exploitation, intercourse) directed at a child.

16. Sexual Abuse Warning signs: • Trouble walking or sitting • Displays knowledge or interest in sexual acts inappropriate to his or her age, or even seductive behaviour • Makes strong efforts to avoid a specific person, without an obvious reason • Doesn’t want to change clothes in front of others or participate in physical activities • An STD or pregnancy, especially under the age of 14 • Runs away from home

17. Consequences of Child Abuse Girls tend to internalize their response to abuse, and are more likely to have: • Suicidal ideation • Eating disorders • Low self-esteem • Psychological disorders

18. Consequences of Child Abuse Boys are more likely to externalize their response and may lead to: • Increased aggression • Delinquency • Lack of trust • Spouse abuse

19. If a child discloses abuse, we should: • Believe in the child • Listen openly and calmly • Reassure the child • Write down the facts • Report to police • Inform Head of Dept.

20. Reporting • Everyone has a duty to report child abuse. • As soon as a child discloses abuse, contact local police, and then your department head. • If there are reasonable grounds to suspect abuse is taking place, report it immediately. • Anyone who has a reasonable suspicion that a child is or may be in need of protection is required by law to report the information. • People who report suspected child abuse or neglect cannot be sued unless they did so maliciously or without reasonable grounds.

21. Works cited: • http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/english/documents/topics/childrensaid/Reportingchildabuseandneglect.pdf • http://www.helpguide.org/mental/child_abuse_physical_emotional_sexual_neglect.htm • http://www.irvingstudios.com/child_abuse_survivor_monument/PDFs%20for%20Media/a%202007%20StatisticsOnChildAbuse.pdf • http://www.johnabbott.qc.ca/public/3a6ce747-8d96-4668-becd-0c6ac17b644a/current_students/Student_Services/Counselling_Service/child_abuse_fact_sheet.pdf • http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/pubs/ccaps-spcca/chi-enf-eng.htm