STUDENT PROTECTION TRAINING WORKSHOP 1 Understanding the dynamics of Child Protection

1. EDMUND RICE EDUCATION AUSTRALIA Creating a safe, caring, enriching environment that aims to respect the dignity and enhance the wellbeing of each student attending Catholic schools in the Edmund Rice tradition June 2009 STUDENT PROTECTION TRAININGWORKSHOP 1 Understanding the dynamics of Child Protection Bev. Patterson, Edmund Rice Ministries for Children, Oceania Province

2. Purpose • To gain an understanding of the importance of creating a safe, caring environment to enhance the safety and wellbeing of students. • To gain an awareness of the need for Child Protection. • To appreciate the need for maintaining boundaries in professional relationships with both staff and students.

3. Disclaimer The information and advice provided throughout this information session is an overview of the policy developed by Edmund Rice Education Australia. It does not constitute legal advice. Legal advice must be sought from a qualified legal representative.

4. Confronting and sensitive issue

5. OUTLINE (Session 1) • New Child Protection requirements • Training sessions at NJC • Understanding Child Protection • Historyof Child Protection • Statistics • General guidelines • Questions

6. Child Protection contacts Gail Northcote & Siobhan Brophy

7. New requirements • All staff - 5 hours initial training. - 2 hour refresher every 2 years. • Training will be closely monitored. • Central registry for training. • Professional development.

8. Focus at NJC • Creating a child safe organisation. • Policy and commitment. • Consistent procedures and practices. • Building people’s capabilities.

9. Why is there is a need for Child Protection training?

10. 1. Latest newspaper articles • “Teacher charged with possessing child pornography” • “Sex scandal teacher quits” • “Classmate tells of hugging between teacher and student”

11. 2. Edmund Rice Education Australia Committed to helping all persons who work with students in creating a child-friendly and safe environment. All children have the right to feel safe and to be safe. We have the responsibility to ensure their safety.

12. 3. History • Historical sanctioning of child maltreatment based on social conditions and beliefs • First Child Protection Agencies formed (late 19th century) • From 19th Century to the 1960s focus on the protection of society from children • 1959 United Nations ‘Declaration of the Rights of the Child’ • 1960s and 1970s: Recognition of physical abuse and neglect • 1980s: Recognition of child sexual abuse • 1990s: Awareness of paedophilia Personal Safety Australia Presenter’s Training Workshop 2007/2008

13. 4 . Recent reforms • New legislation –CPA 1999 • Establishment of Department of Child Safety • Agencies/Departments now share information • DV Reporting • Mandatory reporting for nurses

14. How much do you know about Child Protection?

15. What is Child Protection? Universal Perspective Child Protection is a society’s response to ensure children within a society are cared for and have safe environments that enhance their wellbeing. Child Protection describes strategic action by both Government and Non-Government agencies and all who have the responsibility for preventing ‘harm’ to children; for protecting them and responding to all forms of child-harm. A CHILD (for the purpose of the Child Protection Act) IS AN INDIVIDUAL UNDER 18 years of age. Bev. Patterson, Edmund Rice Ministries for Children, Oceania Province

16. Adults responsibility- Children’s ability Children, the most vulnerable members of society, are dependent on adults to provide the care and resources needed to ensure they are safe and protected from ‘harm’. Children expect that the adults in their life will provide for their wellbeing and safe measures are in place for their protection from harm. Children themselves do not always have the capacity, education or available resources (human and material) to ensure their wellbeing and safety.

17. What is Student Protection in Edmund Rice Education Australia? • An organisational commitment to intervene, reduce or eliminate risks which may lead to child harm • Commitment at an organisational and whole school level.

18. Prevalence: Non-sexual abuse • In Australia, a child is reported abused or neglected every three minutes * • 93% increase in reported abuse and neglect from 2001/2 – 2005/6 • The incidence of neglect is double that of physical abuse • Higher risk of abuse or neglect for very young children; indigenous children; children in step, blended or single parent families; children with a younger mother/father • Child abuse is usually a pattern or cycle, not a one-off incident • Physical and emotional abuse are more likely to be spontaneous acts on the part of caregivers Personal Safety Australia Presenter’s Training Workshop 2007/2008 * Australian Childhood Foundation 2008, Current Statistics on Child Abuse (online) (Accessed 06 June 2008)

19. Prevalence: Child Sexual Abuse 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 7 boys will experience sexual abuse. 82% of child sexual abuse victims were under 10 years old when they first experienced sexual abuse** Children who are quieter, easier to manipulate, less likely to object or put up a fight are more likely to be targeted by child sex offenders 1 – 10% of child sexual abuse is reported*** * Briggs,F & McVeity, M2000, Teaching Children to Protect Themselves, Allen & Unwin, Sydney ** SNAICC 2002 report *** Detection and reporting of paedophilia: a law enforcement perspective National Crime Authority April 1997 As quoted in Personal Safety Australia Presenter’s Training Workshop notes 2007/2008 Bev. Patterson, Edmund Rice Ministries for Children, Oceania Province

20. 90% are known to the child Over 1/3 is committed by other young people The vast majority (approx. 95%) do not have a criminal history. Actively seek access to children and place themselves in positions where they can obtain legitimate, unrestricted and unsupervised access to children. NOT have a criminal history (ECPAT quoted in ‘Through Black Eyes’ Child Sexual Assault Report 2002 as quoted in Personal Safety Australia Presenter’s Training Workshop notes 2007/2008) k access to children and place themselves in positions where they can obtain legitimate, unrestricted, unsupervised access to children Adopt a grooming process to not only groom the target but the target’s parents Personal Safety Australia Presenter’s Training Workshop notes 2007/2008 Offenders: Child Sexual Abuse Bev. Patterson, Edmund Rice Ministries for Children, Oceania Province

21. The report on abusive or at-risk parents in Queensland’s child protection system found that the following elements were present where parents have harmed their child or are at risk of harming their child: Above statistics were reported in the Sunday Mail 1 June 2008. - New Government Research Government Research Qld

22. 4% one or both parents with a drug or alcohol problem11% of mothers 4% fathers in the CP system are teenagers20% of primary parents has or has had mental illness25% of cases, the primary parent had been abused as a child35% experienced two more DV incidents in the year

23. Perceived vulnerability Lonely, emotionally needy children and young people Children with no significant males in their lives Low self-esteem Naive children who have received little or no sex education Children who are quieter, less likely to object or put up a fight Personal Safety Australia Presenter’s Training Workshop 2007/2008 Children who are targeted Bev. Patterson, Edmund Rice Ministries for Children, Oceania Province

24. What can we do to create a child safe organisation? • Educated on risks • Recognise and respond appropriately to suspicions of abuse • Relay essential safety concepts to children (bullying, internet safety, protective behaviours). • Never assume: harm to a child occurs in every socio-economic area!

25. General guidelines for Staff • Avoid any behaviour that could be reasonably interpreted as inappropriate touching • Have another adult present or close by when working in a one to one situation with a child or youth and avoid providing pastoral care or individual tuition in situations where children or youth are or feel isolated • Do not be alone with a child or youth in sleeping, dressing or bathing areas. • Take particular care to respect personal space of children or youth when supervising the sleeping quarters of children and youth

26. Do not supply alcohol or any controlled substance to children or youth. • Do not administer corporal punishment to children or youth. • Ensure actions or language can not be interpreted as sexualizing a pastoral / professional relationship. • Do not by actions or word ridicule, demean or intimidate a child or youth or threaten their sense of personal safety. • When counselling, interviewing or providing tuition provide a setting appropriate to the activity while at the same time have in place appropriate safe guards. In all rooms where children and youth are located in schools and non school Ministries there will be glass windows and /or panes in doors. At no times will doors be locked.

27. Ensure groups of children or youth or two children or youth are involved in chores and activities rather than individuals, especially after hours, or in recess. • Ensure prior approval from the Principal/ Ministry Leader/ CEO is given when it is necessary to escort a child or youth to an appointment. For example medical, dental, counselling, tuition, other school.

28. Finding a balance

29. ???????????????????????????? Questions

30. Next session • Read Student Protection Policy • Read Code of Conduct • What is harm? • Student Protection Policy • Application

31. End of Session one

32. Video

33. CHILDRENWe aretheir future Jesus blesses little children People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this he was indignant and said to them. “Let the little children come to me, do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it” And he took them up his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them. Mark 10:13-16 Bev. Patterson, Edmund Rice Ministries for Children, Oceania Province

34. What do you know about Child Protection?

35. What is Child Protection? Child Protection is a society’s response to ensure children within a society are cared for and have safe environments that enhance their wellbeing. Child Protection describes strategic action by both Government and Non-Government agencies and all who have the responsibility for preventing ‘harm’ to children; for protecting them and responding to all forms of child-harm. A CHILD (for the purpose of the Child Protection Act) IS AN INDIVIDUAL UNDER 18 years of age. Bev. Patterson, Edmund Rice Ministries for Children, Oceania Province

36. Adult Responsibility - Children’s ability Children, the most vulnerable members of society, are dependent on adults to provide the care and resources needed to ensure they are safe and protected from ‘harm’. Children expect that the adults in their life will provide for their wellbeing and safe measures are in place for their protection from harm. Children themselves do not always have the capacity, education or available resources (human and material) to ensure their wellbeing and safety. Bev. Patterson, Edmund Rice Ministries for Children, Oceania Province

37. Developing Wholeness Bev. Patterson, Edmund Rice Ministries for Children, Oceania Province

38. History of Child Abuse Historical sanctioning of child maltreatment based on social conditions and beliefs Industrial revolution (1800s) First Child Protection Agencies formed (late 19th century) From 19th Century to the 1960s focus on the protection of society from children 1959 United Nations ‘Declaration of the Rights of the Child’ 1960s and 1970s: Recognition of physical abuse and neglect 1980s: Recognition of child sexual abuse 1990s: Awareness of paedophilia Personal Safety Australia Presenter’s Training Workshop 2007/2008 Bev. Patterson, Edmund Rice Ministries for Children, Oceania Province

39. Recent Reforms New Legislation: CPA 1999, CCYPCG Act 2000 Department of Child Safety established 2004 Child Protection Offender Register established 2005 Information sharing between departments and agencies 2005 Mandatory reporting for nurses 2005 DV Reporting 2005 Risk Management Strategy Requirements 2007/2008 Personal Safety Australia Presenter’s Training Workshop 2007/2008 Bev. Patterson, Edmund Rice Ministries for Children, Oceania Province

40. Prevalence: Non-sexual abuse In Australia, a child is reported abused or neglected every three minutes * 93% increase in reported abuse and neglect from 2001/2 – 2005/6 The incidence of neglect is double that of physical abuse Higher risk of abuse or neglect for very young children; indigenous children; children in step, blended or single parent families; children with a younger mother/father Child abuse is usually a pattern or cycle, not a one-off incident Physical and emotional abuse are more likely to be spontaneous acts on the part of caregivers Personal Safety Australia Presenter’s Training Workshop 2007/2008 * Australian Childhood Foundation 2008, Current Statistics on Child Abuse (online) (Accessed 06 June 2008) Bev. Patterson, Edmund Rice Ministries for Children, Oceania Province

41. 4% one or both parents with a drug or alcohol problem11% of mothers 4% fathers in the CP system are teenagers20% of primary parents has or has had mental illness25% of cases, the primary parent had been abused as a child35% experienced two or more DV incidents in the year Bev. Patterson, Edmund Rice Ministries for Children, Oceania Province

42. Child Abuse Child abuse is the term used to describe the behaviours and actions inflicted on a child. These behaviours and actions can occur through both an act of commission or omission. Child abuse is a serious and complex problem that requires different responses. Bev. Patterson, Edmund Rice Ministries for Children, Oceania Province

43. HarmWhat is harm to child? The Child Protection Act 1999 (Qld) (section 9) states: ‘Harm’ to a child, is any detrimental effect of a significant nature on the child’s physical, psychological or emotional wellbeing. It is immaterial how the harm is caused. Harm can be caused by – Physical, psychological or emotional abuse or neglect, or Sexual abuse or exploitation. Bev. Patterson, Edmund Rice Ministries for Children, Oceania Province

44. ABUSE is about ACTION or BEHAVIOUR HARM is about the IMPACT for the Child Bev. Patterson, Edmund Rice Ministries for Children, Oceania Province

45. INDICATORS OF CHILD ABUSE Bev. Patterson, Edmund Rice Ministries for Children, Oceania Province

46. Categories of Harm Physical harm or non-accidental injury Emotional harm Neglect Sexual harm Child sexual exploitation (including the Internet) Bullying, harassment, cyberbullying (including camera phones) Spiritual harm Bev. Patterson, Edmund Rice Ministries for Children, Oceania Province

47. Children’s Behavioural indicators: Unusually wary of physical contact with adults Unduly frightened of a parent/other adult Does not show emotion or hurt Offers unlikely explanations of injuries Habitual absences from care/school Inappropriate clothing on hot days Overly compliant, shy, withdrawn, passive, uncommunicative Hyperactive,aggressive,disruptive, destructive Displays regressed behaviour Physical Abuse Physical indicators Bruises and Welts Fractures Burns and scalds Abdominal injuries Head or brain injuries Lacerations and abrasions Bev. Patterson, Edmund Rice Ministries for Children, Oceania Province

48. Physical Abuse Parent’s Behavioural indicators: Accuse the child or young person of lying about the abuse Provide unbelievable explanations for injury Change their explanation over time Appear unconcerned about the child’s situation Delay seeking medical assistance Attempt to conceal the child’s injury Take child to different doctors and hospitals Fail to attend health care or school/care appointments Bev. Patterson, Edmund Rice Ministries for Children, Oceania Province

49. Physical indicators: Delay in physical, emotional or mental development Emotional harm of a child or young person includes – Constant criticism Belittling and teasing Withholding praise and affection Constant yelling Failure to provide the psychological nurturing necessary for a child or young person’s physical and emotional growth and development, e.g. ignoring a child or young person or using unusual or demeaning punishments. Emotional abuse • Behavioural indicators: • Displaying low self-esteem • Tending to be withdrawn, passive, tearful • Displaying aggressive or demanding behaviour • Being highly anxious • Showing delayed speech • Acting like a much younger child • Displaying difficulties relating to adults and peers Bev. Patterson, Edmund Rice Ministries for Children, Oceania Province

50. Behavioural indicators: Stealing food Staying at school/care outside school/care hours Often being tired, falling asleep in class Abusing alcohol or drugs Displaying aggressive behaviour Not getting on well with peers Inappropriate friendships NOTE: When assessing neglect it is important to not only associate neglect with poverty but to place the assessment within the wider socio-economic context of the family. Neglect Neglect includes the ongoing failure to provide a child or young person with the basic necessities of life and adequate supervision needed for optimal growth and development. Physical indicators: Frequent hunger Malnutrition Poor hygiene Inappropriate clothing e.g. summer clothes in winter Left unsupervised for long periods Medical needs not attended to Abandoned by parents Failure to use available resources or seek treatment to meet the child or young person’s needs e.g. physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development Bev. Patterson, Edmund Rice Ministries for Children, Oceania Province