WHAT IS CHILD ABUSE?

You Ask. We Answer.

PHYSICAL - any non-accidental physical injury caused to a child
SEXUAL - includes molestation, incest, rape, prostitution, or use of a child for pornographic purposes, physical/direct contact, non-physical/non-direct contact to a child.
EMOTIONAL MISTREATMENT - blaming, belittling or rejecting a child; treating siblings unequally; persistent lack of concern for a child's welfare.
NEGLECT - inattention to basic needs of a child such as food, clothing, shelter, medical care and supervision. Tends to be chronic.

HOW CAN PARENTS/GUARDIANS REDUCE THE RISK?

Learn about the issue of child sexual abuse and the behaviours and situations that present risk to children and youth.
Pay attention and respond to interactions between children and adults. If you are uncomfortable with the way an adult is interacting with a child, get involved.
Teach your child about personal safety.
Be involved in your child's life. Attend their activities and pay attention to interactions between adults and the children; know who they are building relationships with.
Screen and check child protection policies at the organizations and activities that your child attends.
Take note of changes. Kids will have off days, but it's important to pay attention to changes in their behaviour patterns. Often when kids are distressed, they will communicate more through behaviour than words.

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF CHILD ABUSE?

Child abuse has devastating consequences for victims. Depending on its form, duration and severity, abuse may affect every aspect of a child's life; it may have consequences that are psychological, physical, behavioural, academic, sexual, interpersonal, self-perceptual or spiritual. The effects of abuse may appear right away, or surface only in adolescence or adulthood. Further, the effects may differ according to the nature of the response to the abuse, and whether the abuse was disclosed or reported. In some cases, the consequences are fatal.

Girls and boys are affected differently by abuse. Compared to boys, girls are more likely to internalize their response to violence, and experience, for example, suicidal ideation, eating disorders, low self-esteem and psychological disorders. Boys are more likely to externalize their response to violence, displaying, for example, increased aggression, delinquency and spousal abuse. Boys who have been exposed to violence in their homes are more likely to be violent in their adolescent and adult relationships than boys not exposed to violence.

SHOULD I REPORT CHILD ABUSE?

A verbal report should be made immediately to the nearest child services protection agency in your area, or to the local law enforcement officials. Anyone who files a report is immune from civil or criminal liability - if the report is made in "good faith" and without malice.