Child Abuse - legal-info-legale.nb.ca

1 Child Abuse RECOGNIZE IT,REPORT IT,PREVENT IT!Public Legal Educationand Information Service of New BrunswickChild Abuse RECOGNIZE IT, REPORT IT, PREVENT IT!Public Legal Education and Information Service of New Brunswick (PLEIS-NB) is anon-profit organization which provides information about the law to NewBrunswickers. It receives funding and in-kind support from the Department ofJustice Canada, the New Brunswick Law Foundation and the New BrunswickDepartment of Justice and Consumer Affairs. This booklet does not contain a complete statement of the law in this area and lawscontinue to change. Anyone needing specific legal advice should contact a lawyer. We would like to thank those who helped to develop this booklet.

2 They include: theChild and Youth Advocate, Office of Ombudsman, the Department of Family andCommunity Services; Public Prosecutions Branch, Office of the Attorney General;the Fredericton Police Force; the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Centre for FamilyViolence Research; the Coalition Against Abusive Relationships; and members ofthe Law Society of New Box 6000 Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1 Telephone: 506-453-5369 Fax: 506-462-5193 Email: and Reprinted March 2007 ISBN: 978-1-55396-944-0 TThhaannkk yyoouu ttoo oouurr ffuunnddiinngg ppaarrttnneerrss ffoorrtthhiiss 22000077 vveerrssiioonn::Public Legal Educationand Information Service of New BrunswickIntroductionAll children have a right to live free from Abuse .

3 Unfortunately, every year inNew Brunswick Child protection officials must help hundreds of ill-treated orneglected children. Some of these children will carry the scars for the rest oftheir lives. The abuser could be anyone including a parent, family member,babysitter, teacher, clergy, coach, or even a depend on their parents to love, nurture and protect them. Parentshave a duty to provide for the emotional and physical well-being of theirchildren. They are also responsible for controlling and supervising their too have a special duty to help keep children safe. This includesprofessionals who care for children, work or volunteer with them, or come intocontact with children as part of their work.

4 Some examples are teachers, socialworkers, police, dentists, doctors, nurses, coaches, counsellors, caregivers andstaff of a recreational can all play a role in protecting children from harm and reporting suspicionsof Abuse . This booklet will help parents and the public alike in: Defining Child Abuse and Neglect Recognizing Signs of Abuse and Neglect Reporting Abuse and Neglect Responding to a Child who Tells ofAbuse Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect Protecting Children on the Internet Some questions about reporting Other Resources 12 DefiningCHILD Abuse AND NEGLECTC hild Abuse happens when somebody or some situation threatens the development,security and survival of a Child . Many forms of Abuse are criminal in nature.

5 In NewBrunswick, the FFaammiillyy SSeerrvviicceess AAccttand the CChhiilldd VViiccttiimmss ooff AAbbuussee aanndd NNeegglleeccttPPrroottooccoollssoutline a variety of situations in which Abuse and neglect may happenPhysical Abuse - The use of unreasonable force against a Child . What is consideredreasonable will depend on the age of the Child , the severity of the actions and itslack of healthy corrective purpose regarding the Child s behaviour. This mightinclude, for example, hitting, slapping, shaking, choking, kicking or burning a Child . Italso includes any conduct by a caregiver that might put the Child 's life, health orwell-being at maltreatment Refers to both emotional Abuse and emotional neglect.

6 Thismight include repeated attacks on a Child 's sense of self-worth, insults, isolation,rejection, unrealistic expectations or constant criticism. It might also involveterrorizing a Child such as threatening to kill the family pet. The law also considerschildren at risk of emotional Abuse if they live in situations of family violence. Sexual Abuse - Any sexual act involving a Child and an adult or another older might include fondling, touching, intercourse or exploiting the Child sexuallysuch as taking pornographic pictures or putting the Child at risk of exploitation. Thiscan also include non-physical forms of Abuse such as exhibitionism, exposure topornography and voyeurism. Physical Neglect- When parents or caregivers fail to provide a Child 's basic neglect might include failing to provide children with proper food, clothing,or shelter.

7 It may also involve lack of attention to, or refusal to provide, properhealthcare treatment. Neglect also happens when a person caring for a Child doesnot, or cannot, control and supervise the Child . This includes failing to make thechild go to school, or stopping the Child from harming himself or others. Passive Abuse - When an individual recognizes a Child as being abused and/orneglected and fails to report the Abuse to the proper authorities. This may includean individual who takes no action when he or she suspects that a Child is beingsexually molested, thereby allowing the Abuse to continue. Who is a Child ?Most people easily identify babies and youngsters as children. However, peoplemay not know whether to consider older youth and teens to be children.

8 Under theNew Brunswick FFaammiillyy SSeerrvviicceess AAcctta Child is defined as anyone under the age of16, or a person with disabilities under the age of 19. Under the CCrriimmiinnaall CCooddee ooffCCaannaaddaaa Child is generally defined as being under 18 years of age. If you areunsure about the victim s age, be cautious and assume that he or she is a OF ABUSEC hildren show many different signs of Abuse or neglect. While all children havescrapes, bruises and birthmarks, you should know the common signs of Abuse andneglect. Take them seriously and act quickly if they are happening to a Child you know. Signs of Physical Abuse Child has welts, bite marks, unexplained bruises, scars, burns, fractures orhead injuries Child runs away from home or will not go home Child has repetitive injuries or unattended injuries Signs of Sexual Abuse young Child has an unusual interest in or knowledge of sexual behaviour promiscuity, juvenile prostitution, pregnancy or sexually transmittedinfections.

9 Child has difficulty walking or sitting or says it hurts to go to the bathroom Child has a change in behaviour patterns or acts extremely aggressive orextremely withdrawn Child makes inappropriate sexual drawings for their age Signs of Emotional Abuse Child is often alone (at home and around the school) Child is passive or acts out aggressively Child has low self-esteem Child is depressed or talks of suicide 34 Signs of Neglect Child often comes to school or daycare hungry Child is not dressed for the weather Child looks unkempt and unwashed Child is kept outside for long periods without appropriate supervision Child has chronic untreated illnesses ReportingABUSE AND NEGLECTIf you suspect a Child is a victim of Abuse or neglect, report your concerns to ChildProtection at the Department of Family and Community Services as soon aspossible.

10 You do not need proof. It is not your role to look for evidence or interviewthe Child . Do not notify the parents. In an emergency call the police - Abuse of a Child is a serious problem. Everyone has a duty to report asuspicion of Child Abuse . If you suspect a Child in New Brunswick is beingabused, please phone:CChhiilldd PPrrootteeccttiioonn SSeerrvviicceess TToollll FFrreeee11--888888--999922--22887733 ((AA BB UU SS EE))((EEmmeerrggeennccyy aafftteerr hhoouurrss ttoollll ffrreeee 11--880000--444422--99779999))Why don't children tell somebody about the Abuse ?Depending on their age, children may not tellabout Abuse , because they are: too young to tell afraid someone will call them a liar ashamed dependant on abuser unaware it s wrong afraid police will take them away have mixed emotions threatened with harm RespondingTO A Child WHO TELLS OF ABUSESome children may decide to talk about Abuse with an adult they trust.