Prevention

What Is Child Abuse?

Child abuse is when parents or caregivers intentionally hurt a child, or fail to protect a child in their care. It’s against the law. If you are concerned about the well-being or safety of a child, contact CAS at 519 455 9000.

Kinds Of Child Abuse:

What Is Physical Abuse?

Physical abuse is any deliberate physical force or action (usually by a parent or caregiver) resulting, or possibly resulting, in injury to a child. It is different from what is considered reasonable discipline.

Physical Abuse Can Include:

Punching
Slapping
Beating
Shaking
Burning
Biting or throwing a child

Handling babies roughly - whether in anger or playfulness - is extremely dangerous. Shaking can cause serious injury, including brain damage, blindness and even death.

Punishing children physically can lead to physical abuse if parents or caregivers lose control and strike a child in anger.

Recognizing the Signs of Physical Abuse

Physical Indicators	Behavioural Indicators
injuries that don't fit the explanation presence of serveral injuries that are at different stages facial injuries in infants and preschool children injuries don't fit with the child's age and developmental stage	cannot recall how injuries occured or offers an explanation that doesn't fit wary of adults may cringe or flinch if touched unexpectedly infants my display a vacant stare extremely agressive or extremely withdrawn

What Is Sexual Abuse?

Sexual abuse is when a child is used for the sexual gratification of an adult or an older child. Coercion (physical, psychological or emotional) is intrinsic to sexual abuse. This is what distinguishes it from sexual exploration with peers.

Sexual Abuse Includes:

Touching a child for a sexual purpose
Encouraging or forcing a child to touch another person in a sexual way
Encouraging or forcing a child to participate in any sexual activity
Telling a child to touch him or herself for sexual purposes

Sexual Abuse Takes Many Forms:

Sexual intercourse
Exposing a child's private areas
Indecent phone calls
Fondling for sexual purposes
Watching a child undress for sexual pleasure
Allowing a child to look at, or perform in pornographic pictures or videos
Allowing a child to engage in prostitution

Recognizing the Signs of Sexual Abuse

Physical Indicators	Behavioural Indicators
unusual or excessive itching in the genital or anal area torn, stained, or bloody underwear pregnancy injuries to the genital or anal areas (e.g. bruising, swelling, or infection) sexually transmitted infection	age-inappropriate play with toys, self, or others displaying explicit sexual acts age-inappropriate sexually explicit drawing and/or descriptions bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual knowledge seductive behaviours

What Is Emotional Abuse?

Emotional abuse is when an individual attacks a child’s emotional development and sense of self-worth. It includes excessive, aggressive or unreasonable demands beyond the child’s capacity.

Emotional Abuse Includes:

Constant criticizing
Teasing, belittling, insulting, rejecting, ignoring, or isolating a child
Failing to provide a child with love, emotional support, and guidance

Recognizing the Signs of Emotional Abuse

Physical Indicators	Behavioural Indicators
bed-wetting that is non-medical frequent psychosomatic complaints, headaches, nausea, abdominal pains child fails to thrive	severe depression extreme withdrawal or aggressiveness overly compliant, too well-mannered, too neat or clean extreme attention seeking displays extreme inhibition in play

What Is Neglect?

Neglect is when a parent or caregiver fails to meet a child's basic needs:

Food
Clothing
Shelter
Sleep
Medical attention
Education
Protection from harm

This Can Occur When Parents:

Do not know about appropriate care for children

Cannot adequately supervise their children
Are unable to plan ahead

Young children should never be left unattended. This includes leaving a child alone in a car even if you lock the doors and are gone for only a few minutes

Recognizing the Signs of Neglect

Physical Indicators	Behavioural Indicators
poor hygiene unattended physical or medical needs (e.g. glasses, dental work) consistent lack of supervision	pale, listless, unkempt frequent absence from school inappropriate clothing for the weather, dirty clothes frequently does not bring a lunch

Other reasons for child abuse investigations

Children's Aid Society