Child Protection Issues An Overview for Principals and Vice-Principals

Introduction Over a 20 year career 89% of teachers will suspect abuse Over the last 24 hours when have you touched a child? A question from the New Zealand Elementary Teachers Physical Contact Code of Practice (2003) A maximum of 3—4 hours was devoted to child protection training for new teachers in 1997; minimum 1 hour (Child Abuse Review, 2003) Peel Children's Aid served more than 7,800 families and 16,300 children in the Region of Peel (2006) More than 5,500 investigations were conducted by the Peel Children's Aid Agency (2006)

Over a 20 year career 89% of teachers will suspect abuse

Over the last 24 hours when have you touched a child? A question from the New Zealand Elementary Teachers Physical Contact Code of Practice (2003)

A maximum of 3—4 hours was devoted to child protection training for new teachers in 1997; minimum 1 hour (Child Abuse Review, 2003)

Peel Children's Aid served more than 7,800 families and 16,300 children in the Region of Peel (2006)

More than 5,500 investigations were conducted by the Peel Children's Aid Agency (2006)

Agenda Definitions of child abuse & child protection Child abuse: 4 components Who is involved? Children's Aid Society Rights and Responsibilities Case Studies Evaluation

Definitions of child abuse & child protection

Child abuse: 4 components

Who is involved?

Children's Aid Society

Rights and Responsibilities

Case Studies

Evaluation

Overview All children have the right to be protected. Offenders, regardless of their relationship to the child or their professional roles, must be held accountable for their actions. Caretaker Family Babysitter Child Teacher Principal Coach Guardian Parent

All children have the right to be protected. Offenders, regardless of their relationship to the child or their professional roles, must be held accountable for their actions.

Definitions “ Child” is defined as any person under 16 years of age. “ Child Abuse” refers to the violence, mistreatment or neglect that a child may experience while in the care of someone they either trust or depend on, such as a parent, sibling, other relative, care giver, guardian or teacher. “ Child Protection” refers to a child in need of protection from abuse or neglect. Image from www.peel.cas.org

“ Child” is defined as any person under 16 years of age.

“ Child Abuse” refers to the violence, mistreatment or neglect that a child may experience while in the care of someone they either trust or depend on, such as a parent, sibling, other relative, care giver, guardian or teacher.

“ Child Protection” refers to a child in need of protection from abuse or neglect.

Emotional & Psychological Abuse A child has suffered emotional or psychological harm if he/she exhibits anxiety, depression, withdrawal, delayed development, self-destructive and aggressive behaviour because of chronic and persistent ridicule and rejection. These behaviours may be the result of actions on the part of parents/guardians/caregivers or their failure to act, prevent, remedy or alleviate such actions.

A child has suffered emotional or psychological harm if he/she exhibits anxiety, depression, withdrawal, delayed development, self-destructive and aggressive behaviour because of chronic and persistent ridicule and rejection.

These behaviours may be the result of actions on the part of parents/guardians/caregivers or their failure to act, prevent, remedy or alleviate such actions.

Physical Abuse Physical abuse is the intentional use of force against a child resulting in injury or causing bodily harm. Physical abuse is physical force or violence that results in bodily injury, pain, or impairment including assault, battery, and inappropriate restraint. P hysical abuse refers to the infliction of physical harm on a child by a parent or caregiver .

Physical abuse is the intentional use of force against a child resulting in injury or causing bodily harm.

Physical abuse is physical force or violence that results in bodily injury, pain, or impairment including assault, battery, and inappropriate restraint.

P hysical abuse refers to the infliction of physical harm on a child by a parent or caregiver .

Physical Abuse The harm standard considers behaviour as abusive only if it results in visible harm or injuries . (ex. bruises, cuts, burns, fractures,…) The endangerment standard considers physical assault by a parent or caregiver that presents a substantial risk of physical injury is considered abuse . (ex. poisoning, suffocating, drowning …) Although these actions may not result in observable injuries they are still considered abusive .

The harm standard considers behaviour as abusive only if it results in visible harm or injuries . (ex. bruises, cuts, burns, fractures,…)

The endangerment standard considers physical assault by a parent or caregiver that presents a substantial risk of physical injury is considered abuse . (ex. poisoning, suffocating, drowning …)

Although these actions may not result in observable injuries they are still considered abusive .

Sexual Abuse Child sexual abuse is the exploitation of a child or adolescent for the sexual gratification of another person.

Child sexual abuse is the exploitation of a child or adolescent for the sexual gratification of another person.

Sexual Abuse Abusive behaviours include: Voyeurism Fondling Child prostitution Child pornography Intercourse Sodomy Oral-genital stimulation Verbal stimulation Exhibitionism

Abusive behaviours include:

Voyeurism

Fondling

Child prostitution

Child pornography

Intercourse

Sodomy

Oral-genital stimulation

Verbal stimulation

Exhibitionism

Neglect Serious inattention or negligence on the part of the child’s care giver to the basic physical and emotional needs of the child It occurs when person (s) responsible for the child’s care jeopardize the care or well-being through deprivation of necessities

Serious inattention or negligence on the part of the child’s care giver to the basic physical and emotional needs of the child

It occurs when person (s) responsible for the child’s care jeopardize the care or well-being through deprivation of necessities

What are the indicators?

What are

the indicators?

Emotional/Psychological Abuse Physical Indicators The physical indicators for those who suffer emotional or psychological abuse are: Development delay. Frequent headaches, nausea and abdominal pains. Different dressing from members of their family or schoolmates. Substandard living conditions. Unusual appearance manifested by bizarre haircuts and decorations.

Physical Indicators

The physical indicators for those who suffer emotional or psychological abuse are:

Development delay.

Frequent headaches, nausea and abdominal pains.

Different dressing from members of their family or schoolmates.

Substandard living conditions.

Unusual appearance manifested by bizarre haircuts and decorations.

Emotional/Psychological Abuse Behavioural Indicators The behavioural indicators for those who suffer emotional or psychological abuse are: Development lags. Prolonged unhappiness, stress, withdrawal. Regressive behaviour such as constant rocking. Over-compliance, exceptionally good mannerisms. Recklessness, unexplained absences and family disruptions.

Behavioural Indicators

The behavioural indicators for those who suffer emotional or psychological abuse are:

Development lags.

Prolonged unhappiness, stress, withdrawal.

Regressive behaviour such as constant rocking.

Over-compliance, exceptionally good mannerisms.

Recklessness, unexplained absences and family disruptions.

Physical Abuse Physical Indicators Sprains, dislocations, fractures, broken bones, burns, abrasions, lacerations, internal injuries and bleeding, non-accidental bruises, head injuries. Injuries are inconsistent with explanation. Numerous injuries in various stages of recovery or healing. Presence of injuries over an extended period of time. Injuries inconsistent with child’s age and developmental phase.

Physical Indicators

Sprains, dislocations, fractures, broken bones, burns, abrasions, lacerations, internal injuries and bleeding, non-accidental bruises, head injuries.

Injuries are inconsistent with explanation.

Numerous injuries in various stages of recovery or healing.

Presence of injuries over an extended period of time.

Injuries inconsistent with child’s age and developmental phase.

Physical Abuse Behavioural Indicators Injuries are unexplained (include implausible). Family members provide different explanations. A history of similar injuries. Delay between onset of injury and seeking medical care. Wary of adults. Flinch if touched unexpectedly.

Behavioural Indicators

Injuries are unexplained (include implausible).

Family members provide different explanations.

A history of similar injuries.

Delay between onset of injury and seeking medical care.

Wary of adults.

Flinch if touched unexpectedly.

Sexual Abuse Physical Indicators Unusual or excess itching or pain in the throat, genital or anal area. Odour or discharge from genital area. Stained or bloody underclothing. Pain on urination, elimination, sitting down, walking or swallowing. Blood or urine in stool.

Physical Indicators

Unusual or excess itching or pain in the throat, genital or anal area.

Odour or discharge from genital area.

Stained or bloody underclothing.

Pain on urination, elimination, sitting down, walking or swallowing.

Blood or urine in stool.

Sexual Abuse Behavioural Indicators Age-inappropriate sexual play with toys, self & others. Re-enactment of adult sexual activities. Age-inappropriate explicit drawings. Bizarre or sophisticated sexual knowledge. Sexualized behaviour with other children.

Behavioural Indicators

Age-inappropriate sexual play with toys, self & others.

Re-enactment of adult sexual activities.

Age-inappropriate explicit drawings.

Bizarre or sophisticated sexual knowledge.

Sexualized behaviour with other children.

Neglect Physical Indicators Young children display abnormal growth patterns, weight loss, sunken cheeks, paleness, lethargy, unresponsive to stimulation. Inappropriate dress for weather. Poor hygiene, dirty or unbathed state. Severe, persistent diaper rash or other skin disorder (unattended). Consistent hunger. Lack of medical routine. Signs of deprivation (diaper rash, hunger).

Physical Indicators

Young children display abnormal growth patterns, weight loss, sunken cheeks, paleness, lethargy, unresponsive to stimulation.

Inappropriate dress for weather.

Poor hygiene, dirty or unbathed state.

Severe, persistent diaper rash or other skin disorder (unattended).

Consistent hunger.

Lack of medical routine.

Signs of deprivation (diaper rash, hunger).

Neglect Behavioural Indicators Doesn't meet developmental milestones. Appears lethargic, undemanding, cries very little. Unresponsive to stimulation. Uninterested in surroundings. Demonstrates severe lack of attachment to parent, little fear of strangers. May be very demanding of affection or attention from others.

Behavioural Indicators

Doesn't meet developmental milestones.

Appears lethargic, undemanding, cries very little.

Unresponsive to stimulation.

Uninterested in surroundings.

Demonstrates severe lack of attachment to parent, little fear of strangers.

May be very demanding of affection or attention from others.

Emotional/Psychological Abuse Behaviours observed in the abuser Consistently rejects child Consistently degrades child Blames child for problems, difficulties, disappointments

Behaviours observed in the abuser

Consistently rejects child

Consistently degrades child

Blames child for problems, difficulties, disappointments

Physical Abuse Behaviours observed in the abuser Gives harsh, unusual punishment Shows lack of self control May give inconsistent explanations about child’s injury

Behaviours observed in the abuser

Gives harsh, unusual punishment

Shows lack of self control

May give inconsistent explanations about child’s injury

Sexual Abuse Behaviours observed in the abuser May be over-protective Is frequently alone with the child & is socially isolated May be jealous of the child’s relationship with other adults

Behaviours observed in the abuser

May be over-protective

Is frequently alone with the child & is socially isolated

May be jealous of the child’s relationship with other adults

Neglect Behaviours observed in the abusers Maintains chaotic home life with little evidence of regular healthful routines Overwhelmed with own problems & needs which are put ahead of the child

Behaviours observed in the abusers

Maintains chaotic home life with little evidence of regular healthful routines

Overwhelmed with own problems & needs which are put ahead of the child

Who is involved ?

Who is involved ?

Pre-Report Stage Report Stage Post-Report Stage

Pre-Report Stage

Report Stage

Post-Report Stage

A closer look… What happens in the Waterloo Region District School Board? Image from: http://www.wrdsb.on.ca/

What happens in the Waterloo Region District School Board?

Relevant Legislation Child and Family Services Act s. 72 - Despite the provisions of any other Act, if a person, including a person who performs professional or official duties with respect to children, has reasonable grounds to suspect that a child is or may be suffering or may have suffered abuse, the person shall forthwith report the suspicion and the information which it is based to a society.

Child and Family Services Act

s. 72 - Despite the provisions of any other Act, if a person, including a person who performs professional or official duties with respect to children, has reasonable grounds to suspect that a child is or may be suffering or may have suffered abuse, the person shall forthwith report the suspicion and the information which it is based to a society.

Children's Aid Society

Case Studies

Summary Definitions for types of abuse Steps to take to inform CAS Importance of training your staff about the indicators

Definitions for types of abuse

Steps to take to inform CAS

Importance of training your staff about the indicators

Evaluation Thank-you for your feedback about today’s presentation.

Thank-you for your feedback about today’s presentation.