It is important that all British Columbians recognize that everyone has a responsibility to keep children safe and healthy.
Child abuse is one of the most serious problems facing society. Each year, the Ministry of Children and Family Development receives around 30,000 calls from concerned citizens that a child or youth might be in need of protection.
It's important that everyone – caregivers, teachers, service providers and community members – recognize the signs that a child might be at risk of harm, and know where, and how, to get help. The public also has a legal responsibility to report suspected child abuse or neglect.
So, what should you do if you think a child is being abused or neglected?
B.C. residents can call the 24-hour Helpline for Children toll-free at 310-1234 – no area code is required. The helpline is also a great resource for children in crisis who don't know where to turn.
Anyone can call – children or teenagers who need help, parents in crisis who are afraid they might hurt their children, or someone who knows or suspects a child is being abused or neglected – and you can call anonymously if you prefer.
A 16-page handbook – Responding to Child Welfare Concerns: Your Role in Knowing When and What to Report – has been produced to help the public learn the warning signs and what to do when a child may be at risk.
It is available in several different languages at www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/child_protection/translated.htm.
FAST bytes:
• For more information on the indicators of abuse, how to report suspected abuse and a range of child-welfare and child-protection resources, visit: www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/child_protection/index.htm.
Following are some tips for child abuse prevention:
Child abuse can take different forms.
• Physical abuse is any physical force or action that results, or could result, in injury to a child. It's stronger than what would be considered reasonable discipline.
• Sexual abuse is the use of a child for sexual gratification. It includes sexual touching as well as non-touching abuse, such as making a child watch sexual acts.
• Emotional abuse is a pattern of destructive behaviour or verbal attacks by an adult on a child. It can include rejecting, terrorizing, ignoring, isolating, exploiting or corrupting a child.
• Neglect is failure to provide for a child's basic needs – food, clothing, adequate shelter, supervision and medical care. Neglect is the form of abuse most frequently reported to the Ministry for Children and Families.
People need to know the signs of abuse. Abused and neglected children almost always show signs of their suffering. Some of the most common signs include:
• Injuries - bruises, cuts, burns, bite marks, fractures – that are inconsistent with the explanation offered.
• The presence of several injuries in different stages of healing.
• Fear of adults and lack of trust.
• Extremely aggressive or withdrawn.
• Attention-seeking behaviours.
• Difficulty sitting or walking.
• Loss of appetite.
• Age-inappropriate sexual knowledge.
• Unattended medical needs; constant hunger or poor hygiene.
Sometimes, a child who is being abused or neglected will tell someone they trust. If this happens to you:
• Stay calm.
• Listen to them.
• Let them know you believe them.
• Reassure them.
• Tell them you're sorry it happened, and let them know it's not their fault.
• Don't promise to keep it a secret.
• Don't say everything will be fine now. It may take some time before everything is fine again.