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The Role of the School in Child Protection
School personnel who see a child on a regular basis
are often in a position to become aware of suspected child abuse
situations.
Types of Abuse
There are four recognized types of abuse which endanger
the survival, security or development of children.
Neglect
Physical neglect occurs when a parent/guardian fails
to provide supervision, guidance, medical care, food, clothing
or shelter that might reasonably be expected of any parent. The
inadequate provision is accompanied by:
- unreasonable and unnecessary danger to the child's
safety;
- unreasonable and unnecessary discomfort to the
child;
- sever or chronic health problems including the
failure to thrive syndrome; childhood behaviours that pose a
threat to the safety of the child or other person; or
- social ostracism of the child which is significant
because of its severity and duration.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse occurs when a child suffers physical
harm, often because of violence or excessive discipline. Abuse
could be rated as mild ( a few bruises, welts, scratches, cuts),
moderate (numerous bruises, minor bruises and single fracture),
severe (large burns, central nervous system injury, multiple fractures,
or any life-threatening abuse), or extreme (abuse resulting in
death). It also includes the feeding of poisonous, corrosive or
non-medical mind-altering substances to a child. Chronic bruising
or repeated injuries of adolescents by a parent also constitutes
physical abuse.
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse occurs when the parent withholds
love and affection from a child, the child is humiliated or cannot
meet ongoing excessive demands by the parent. It may include the
continual scapegoating and rejection of a specific child in the
family. The parental behaviour is considered abusive if it causes
a measurable impairment of a child's capacity to view one's self
as a separate individual with dignity and self-worth.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is inappropriate touching or other
interaction with a child for a sexual purpose. This may range
from exposure and fondling to intercourse, incest and sexual assault.
Sexual acts between consenting peers are generally excluded from
this definition.
Characteristics
of an Abuser
Indicators
of Abuse
Policy
on Child Abuse and Neglect
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