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Understanding and Preventing Child Abuse: A Community Responsibility

Understanding and Preventing Child Abuse

Children are the most vulnerable individuals within our community. Not knowing how to respond and their smaller statures can easily make them the victims of abuse. There can be significant short and long-term implications when children are abused. This makes it essential for our communities to take action to stop and prevent child abuse. To gain a better understanding of this crime, we all must learn the signs and impacts of abuse.

Together, we can keep vulnerable children safe from abuse.

 

Understanding Child Abuse

Children can be exposed to different types of abuse from family members, teachers and coaches, strangers, and individuals they encounter on the internet. 

Physical abuse

This form of abuse involves physically harming a child, such as hitting a child. Shaking, pushing, choking, painfully grabbing, and kicking also can be considered physical abuse. It can also pertain to severe acts of discipline.

Emotional abuse

Emotional abuse includes shouting frequently at a child, withholding kindness or affection, ignoring them for extended periods, and making demeaning remarks.

Sexual abuse

This type of abuse is characterized by fondling, forced sexual acts, and indecent physical exposure. They can also be exploited through photos and videos.

Neglect

Neglect is leaving a child unattended and their needs unfulfilled. It is neglect even if the guardian is physically present but unavailable or refuses to care for the child or meet their needs.

The Impact of Abuse

The long-term effects of childhood abuse on children and society are deeply concerning. Children who experience abuse are at risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can lead to fear, anxiety, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and intrusive memories of the abuse, as well as outbursts of anger. 

Additionally, they may exhibit behaviours such as refusing to go to school and withdrawing from friends, family and teachers. This can negatively impact their education and social development. Studies have shown that children who have experienced any form of violence in childhood are 13% more likely to not graduate from school. 

These children may also experience physical conditions such as body aches, pains, and unexplained illnesses. The long-term effects of abuse are also strongly associated with alcohol and drug abuse. 

It is important to note that a child who is abused is more likely to become an abuser as an adult, continuing the cycle of violence. Breaking this cycle of violence is crucial to create positive impacts across generations.

Recognizing the Signs of Child Abuse

Because there are various types of abuse and each child may respond to abuse differently, it is important to be aware that there are different signs to look out for.

The physical signs of abuse can include unexplained cuts, bruises, burns, fractures, and complaints of sore muscles are signs of physical abuse. Physical signs from other types of abuse, such as neglect, can include poor growth, unexpected weight loss or gain, and poor hygiene.

The behavioural signs children express can vary from child to child. Some may be withdrawn, and others may be the opposite, where they desperately seek affection. They may also exhibit signs of aggression, anxiety, and depression. If they are talking about sexual content in too much detail for their age or too often, that could be another indicator of abuse.

Preventing Child Abuse

Preventing child abuse is a community-wide effort. We all can and need to take action to keep children and youths safe from all forms of abuse.

Education and Advocacy

One of the most significant ways we can make an impact is by educating ourselves and others on this crime. Parents, caregivers and everyone in the community should be able to spot the signs of abuse and know how to respond if a child is being abused.

But it’s not just about technical knowledge; it's about taking the time to understand your children. Knowing them allows you to spot any behaviour that is unusual for them.

It is also important that children are educated. When children are taught they have the right to be safe, they are less likely to think abuse is their fault and more likely to seek help.

Community Resources and Services

Access to community resources and services is essential for children and youths experiencing abuse. We can provide valuable support to those who need it most by advocating for and promoting these resources.

There are organizations in our community that support child abuse prevention that need help. Whether through foster care, victim advocacy, mentoring, or other forms of support, our contributions can make a significant difference in the lives of children who have experienced abuse.

What to Do If You Suspect Child Abuse

We all have a role to play in keeping children and youth safe and supported. While parents are primarily responsible for their children’s well-being, Alberta’s Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act requires everyone to report a concern if they believe a child is at risk.

If you have witnessed abuse or suspect a child is being abused, here are the ways you can make a report:

  • Call 911 if the child is in immediate danger, or call your local RCMP detachment’s non-emergency line if they are not currently in danger.
  • Call the Government of Alberta’s Child Intervention 24/7 line at 1-800-638-0715. 
  • If the child experienced online exploitation, you can make a report at cybertip.ca

What to Do If a Child Confides In You

It takes a lot of courage and trust for a child experiencing abuse to confide in you. What you say and do will help them feel safe and supported. If they tell you they are being neglected, abused or sexually exploited, make sure you:

  • stay calm and react without shock, disbelief, anger, judgment or fear
  • let them tell you what happened in their own words, and don’t interrupt them
  • help them feel comforted by saying things like:
    • “I believe you, and I will support you”
    • “it is okay to feel scared, angry and hurt”
    • “I will try to help you figure out what happens next”
    • “you are brave for talking about this, and it is right to tell someone”
  • When away from the child, write down what they said in their own words

Abuse Resources and Support Services

Helplines and Hotlines

  • First Nations & Inuit Children, Youth, & Young Adults 24 hour Toll-free Help Line: 1-855-242-3310 Indigenous people can connect directly with an Indigenous volunteer crisis responder, when available, by text messaging FIRST NATIONS, INUIT or METIS to 686868 for youth
  • Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-387-5437 (KIDS)
  • Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or Text CONNECT to 686868

Support Organizations

  • Alberta Child Advocacy Centres has nine centres across the province. Child Advocacy Centres are a safe place where children and youth who have experienced abuse can go to tell their stories and be supported throughout the entire disclosure, investigation, judicial and healing journey. https://albertacacs.ca/
  • If you need a safe place to stay, you can find a nearby shelter. https://www.alberta.ca/find-shelters 
  • The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate Alberta advocates for children and youth receiving child intervention services or who are involved with the youth justice system by ensuring their rights, interests and viewpoints are acknowledged and acted upon. https://www.ocya.alberta.ca/adult/what-we-do/overview/
  • Little Warriors provides a safe, secure, culturally inclusive multi-modal, trauma-informed treatment centre for children and youth who have been sexually abused. https://littlewarriors.ca/ 

 

Communities need to come together to prevent child abuse. By being aware of the signs and impacts of abuse, educating ourselves and others, and promoting access to necessary resources and services, we can create a safer environment for all children. Each one of us has a role to play in keeping our children safe from all forms of abuse, and together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of vulnerable children. Let's work together to break the cycle of violence and create a brighter, safer future for the generations to come.

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October 08, 2024