121 Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers continued All children have the right to live free of abuse. Most children grow up in families where they are safe and secure. Others may be abused or neglected - and those children need our help. Everyone has a role to play in keeping our children safe. What is child abuse and neglect? Child abuse can include sexual abuse, physical abuse, physical neglect and emotional maltreatment. Sexual abuse occurs when a person uses a child for sexual purposes, and refers to any sexual acts involving a child and a parent, caretaker, any person in a position of trust, and/or any other person. Physical abuse refers to all actions resulting in nonaccidental physical injury or harm. Such abuse is distinguished from reasonable use of force by its severity and its inappropriateness for the age of the child, and its lack of healthy corrective purpose regarding the child’s behaviour. The child’s injuries may range from minor bruises, burns, welts or bite marks, to broken bones or - in extreme situations - death. Physical neglect refers to acts of omission on the part of the parent/caregiver. This happens when a parent or caregiver ignores a child’s basic needs to the point where the child is or could be harmed. Physical neglect can include failure to provide for the child’s basic needs and appropriate level of care. Emotional maltreatment refers to both emotional abuse and emotional neglect of the child. Emotional abuse can include overt rejection, criticism, blaming, threats, insults, humiliation, and excessive demands of performance for a child’s age and ability. Emotional neglect refers to the failure of the parent / caregiver to provide adequate psychological nurturing for a child’s growth and development. Emotional maltreatment can also happen to children who witness violence in their homes. Exposure to domestic violence refers to when a child is living in a situation where there is domestic violence causing emotional harm to the child, and includes children seeing, hearing or being aware of violence perpetrated by one parent figure against another parent figure. What are indicators of child abuse and neglect? Some of the most common signs of abuse and neglect may include: • any injury - especially head or facial injuries - or bruising to a baby who is not yet crawling or walking; • injuries where there is no explanation, or the explanation does not seem to fit with the injuries; • injuries with a pattern or in the shape of an object, such as a hand, stick, buckle, stove element, etc.; • bruising in unusual places, such as the ears, neck, back, upper arms, thighs or buttocks; • clothing is inadequate to protect the child from the weather; • the child looks unwell or hungry, or complains of hunger, or is unusually thin or malnourished; • unexplained anal or genital injuries; • detailed and age-inappropriate sexual knowledge in language, behaviour, drawings, or play, or forcing another child into sexual play. Sexually aggressive behaviours with others; • running away from home or being scared to go home; • delinquent behaviour, such as alcohol or drug use, stealing, setting fires, etc.; • poor self esteem (that is, the child appears anxious, sad, lacks confidence, discouraged, refers to self as being bad, feels deserving to be punished, depressed, etc.); • suicidal thoughts or self destructive behaviour (such as self-mutilation, suicide attempt, extreme risk-taking); • withdrawal from family, friends and activities the child used to enjoy; and • secretive about new friends, activities, phone calls or Internet use. These are warning signs. These signs do not always mean that abuse or neglect is happening. If you do see one or more of these signs, you should be concerned, and call Child Protection Services. CHILD PROTECTION Be vigilant, report child abuse
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