1. Child Abuse

2. Definitions
There is no uniform agree-upon definition of child abuse in Canada.
Vanier Institute of the Family (1993) uses these working definition:

3. Child Abuse
The physical, psychological, social, emotional and sexual maltreatment of a child whereby the survival, safety, self-esteem, growth and development of the person are endangered.

4. Types of Child Abuse
Physical
Neglect
Sexual
Emotional

5. Physical Abuse
Physical assaults (such as hitting, kicking, biting, throwing, burning, or poisoning) that cause, or could cause, physical injury as well as behaviors or omissions that cause, or could cause, physical injury to a child.

6. Neglect
Sustained deprivation of food, clothing, hygiene, shelter and other needed care so as to cause, or potentially cause, physical, emotional, developmental or psychological harm or disability.

7. Neglect This includes:
Failure to provide medical, dental or psychiatric care needed to prevent or treat physical or emotional injury, illness or disability
Deprivation of emotional nurturing or physical and cognitive stimulation
Failure to educate a child
Leaving a child alone or in the care of another that demonstrates intentional abdication of parental responsibility
Parent behavior that contributes to the delinquency of a child

8. Sexual Abuse
Any sexual exploitation of a child whether consented to or not.
Includes touching of a sexual nature, sexual intercourse, or behavior of a sexual nature toward a child.
Excluded is normal affectionate behavior towards children and normal health or hygiene care.
Sexual activity between children may constitute sexual abuse if the age or power between the children is significant.

9. Child Sexual Abuse Can have devastating long term consequences.
Many teenage runaways leave home on account of it.
75% of female adolescent runaways in Toronto experienced child sexual abuse
38% of male adolescent runaways in Toronto experienced child sexual abuse

10. How many children are sexually abused?
Proportion of women who are sexually abused before age of 16 – 25%
Proportion of men who are sexually abused before the age of 16 – 10%
These children can grow up to experience depression, self-destructive behaviour, poor self-esteem, substance abuse, anxiety, and feelings of isolation and stigma.

11. Who sexually abuses children?
9/10 children who are sexually abused know their abuser.
Strangers can and do abuse children, but it is far more common for children to be sexually abused by people they know and trust.

12. Emotional Abuse
Emotional attacks or omissions that cause, or could case serious emotional injury.
Includes:
Behavior of parents or guardians who persistently do not take an interest in their child (no talking, hugging, or just being emotionally unavailable to the child)
Repeated threats
Confinement
Repeated exposure to violence
Ongoing humiliation and ridicule
Fundamental attacks of a child’s sense of self

13. Child Abuse
Child abuse is vastly under-reported much like other kinds of abuse within families.
Neglect is more prevalent than physical abuse.

14. What can happen to children who are abused?
Child abuse can lead to delinquency, criminality, mental illness, developmental delays, and increased risk-taking among other personal and social problems.
Victims are at risk of suffering from learning disabilities, brain damage, malnutrition and language delays.
Large proportions of prison inmates and mental hospital patients experienced abuse as a child.

15. What kinds of people are child abusers?
Perpetrators can be male or female
They can be mothers, fathers, siblings, stepparents, babysitters and others who have contact with the child
They come from all parts of society
However, some stressors may be characteristic of child abusers.

16. Stressor Characteristics
Abused as a child
Single parent
Spouse is gone much of the time
Divorce
Alcohol or other drugs.
Low self-esteem
Isolation
Husband uninvolved and critical
Emotional immaturity
Postpartum depression
Unrealistic expectations
Stress of unemployment
Financial stress
Other stresses of any kind.
Mental illness

17. Children at Risk for Neglect and Abuse
Unwanted Children
Children living in foster or step families
Premature children
Those with physical or mental challenges
Those with poor health
A hyperactive child
A child that reminds the parent or someone they do not like
Most dangerous age for physical abuse: 3 months – 3 years
First incidence of sexual abuse usually occurs between: 3-8 years

18. Children at Risk
Child abuse happens in all kinds of families, regardless of their economic status, heritage or structure.
However, child abuse is reported more among lower-income families.

19. Why?
This may be due to:
Housing situation makes them more open to observation and more likely to be reported.
Greater incidence of reporting among teachers, professionals and neighbors,
Greater willingness of child welfare to intervene
Greater chance of prosecution by justice system.
Many middle-class abusers are probably not identified

20. Statistics
Between 1988 and 1992 there was an increase in the number of cases of child sexual abuse reported to police, more charges laid, and more cases involving very young victims.
70-80% of victims were female, most under the age of 12
15-22% were under the age of 5
94% of abusers were male; ¼ of them were under the age of 18

21. More Statistics
Proportion of abusive husbands found by Canada’s Correctional Services to have grown up in violent, abusive families: 75%
Proportion of families in which the woman is assaulted and the children have also been abused: 1/3
Proportion of male adolescent prostitutes found by one study to have been physically or emotionally abused by family members: 72%

22. Detecting Abuse
These symptoms, when combined, can indicate if a child is a victim of physical abuse.

23. Physical Abuse Signs The child: Avoids physical contact with adults
Seems frightened of parents and other adults
Shows apprehension when faced with adult disapproval
Is frightened when other children cry
Shows extreme aggressiveness or introversion
Seems sad and anxious and shows little self-esteem

24. Physical Abuse Signs
Misses preschool or school frequently and returns with mending cuts and bruises
Does not like to take off his or her clothes
Takes on the role of the parent within the family
Does not have good social relations with his or her peers
Arrives at school early and leaves late, is in no hurry to return home
Is too eager to please

25. Detecting Abuse
These symptoms, when combined can indicate that a child may have been a victim of child sexual abuse.

26. Sexual Abuse Signs Difficulty walking or sitting
Torn, soiled or bloodied underwear
Complaints of pain or itching in the genital region
Contusions or bleeding on genitals or in the anal region
Venereal disease, especially in children under 13
Difficulty in maintaining good social relations with other students
Change in appetite or sleep pattern
Fear and anxiety toward the opposite sex

27. Sexual Abuse Signs
Behavior associated more with younger children, such as incontinence, infantile or backward reactions
Inordinate need to be comforted by one parent, show excessive attachment to that parent especially when aggressor is present
Refusal to change clothes for phys ed. or to join in physical activities
Knowledge of bizarre or unusual sexual practices
Caresses, kisses and seductive behavior towards children and adults alike

28. Prevention
Never discipline your child when your anger is out of control.
Participate in your child’s activities and get to know your child’s friends.
Never leave your child unattended, especially in the car.
Teach your child the difference between “good touches,” “bad touches” and “confusing touches.”
When your child tells you he or she doesn’t want to be with someone, this could be a red flag. Listen to them and believe what they say.
Be aware of changes in your child’s behavior or attitude, and inquire into it.
Teach your child what to do if you and your child become separated while away from home.
Teach your child the correct names of his/her private body parts.
Be alert for any talk that reveals premature sexual understanding.
Pay attention when someone shows greater than normal interest in your child.
Make certain your child’s school or day care center will release him/her only to you or someone you officially designate.

29. What to do if a child come to you
Be open and understanding.
Let the child talk as much as he or she wishes
Believe the child.
Reassure the child that he/she has done the right thing by telling you.
Keep your own feelings under control.
Do not promise not to tell
Don’t try to conduct an investigation, yourself.
If the child tells you of the sexual abuse immediately after it occurred, DO NOT bathe the child, or wash or change his or her clothes.
Explain what you will do next to help them.

30. Reporting the abuse
If you suspect abuse let the child’s parent or guardian know.
If you do not know the parent or guardian or you suspect that they may be part of the problem, then you need to call a child and family service agency to report your concerns.
Intake Services 835 Portage Avenue Winnipeg MB R3G 0N6 Phone: Toll-free: After-hours (emergency calls only):
If you think that a child may be in immediate danger, call the police.
IT IS EVERYONE’S LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT CHILDREN. IF YOU FAIL TO REPORT A CHILD IN NEED OF PROTECTION, YOU ARE COMMITTING A PUNISHABLE OFFENSE.