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What is Child Abuse?Child abuse and neglect includes physically or emotionally hurting a child, sexually molesting a child, failing to provide proper care for a child, and depriving a child of support, medical care and affection. Ontario's Child and Family Services Act states that a child is in need of protection in the following circumstances:
Causes of Abuse We don't know all the causes of child abuse and neglect. We do know that parenting is a big responsibility that at times, when combined with other life stresses, can become too much. Parenting can become overwhelming when parents have little support from family or friends, when parents are very young and are not prepared for the responsibility, or when they do not know what to do when their child misbehaves. The most important job we ever have is that of parenting. But few people are taught how to be a good parent. Often the experiences we had as children and the techniques used to raise us are the tools we use when parenting our own children. Some abusive adults were themselves mistreated as children. Common life stresses, such as a major illness or financial problems, may also provide the impetus for an abusive situation, if combined with a lack of knowledge of parenting, child development or child behaviour management. A substance abuse problem further impairs the ability to be a good parent.
Children exhibit signs of abuse and neglect in a many different ways. Often
they exhibit number of behavioural and physical indicators. Children may exhibit
some of the indicators listed below, but this is not necessarily conclusive
evidence of abuse.
We don't know all the causes of child abuse and neglect. We do know that parenting is a big responsibility that at times, when combined with other life stresses, can become too much. Physical abuse is any harm to a child caused by the action (or lack of action) of the child's caregiver. Injuries that may occur include: bruising, welts, cuts, fractures, burns or internal injuries. Physical abuse can occur as an isolated incident or continue over a period of time. Signs of physical abuse include:
Emotional abuse includes all acts that result in the lack of a nurturing environment for a child. It occurs when the caregiver treats the child in such a negative way that the child's concept of "self" is seriously impaired. Emotional abuse can be the most difficult to identify and prove. Emotionally abusive behaviour by the caregiver can include:
Signs of emotional abuse can include:
[ top ] Neglect usually results from the lack of knowledge about appropriate care for children or an inability to plan appropriately for the child's needs. Neglect includes a caregiver failing to provide:
Signs of neglect include:
Sexual Abuse Sexual abuse is any sexual exploitation of a child by an older person. The Criminal Code of Canada identifies a number of types of sexual abuse, including:
Signs of sexual abuse include:
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