Teenagers Drug Abuse Awareness Prince Edward Island Police Association 36TH ANNUAL CRIME PREVENTION GUIDE CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS
If you or someone you know is impacted by family violence, we can help. 1-800-240-9894 www.fvps.ca
1 CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS EXECUTIVE MEMBERS Sgt. Pat Daley Treasurer Cpl. Mark Newcombe Vice-President East Cpl. Craig Murphy DirectorWest Cpl. Ron Kennedy Director East MESSAGE FROM THE PEIPA PRESIDENT On behalf of the members of the Prince Edward Island Police Association, I am very pleased to introduce our 36th Annual Crime Prevention Guide, which tackles the very difficult topic of Child Abuse Awareness to help educate and promote the public’s role in identifying and reporting potential Child Abuse, and help victims find the support they need in Prince Edward Island. This publication is made possible by the generous contributions and support of many individuals, business owners and organizations throughout the province, and we are very grateful for their contributions that allow us to continue to publish our annual publications that reach PEI’s citizens and educate our communities on a variety of important crime prevention issues. Proceeds are also used to support PEIPA activities and further our Police Association’s community involvement and support, including a donation to Provincial Addictions Treatment Facility Strength Program. Please stay safe! Sincerely, Sgt. Grant MacLeod President PEI Police Association www.peipolice.com Cst. Markham Long Recording Secretary Cst. Dave Burke Vice PresidentWest
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3 CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS TABLE OF CONTENTS 36th Annual Crime Prevention Guide Message from the PEIPA President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Message from the Mayor of Charlottetown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Message from the Mayor of Summerside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Message from the Charlottetown Chief of Police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Message from the Summerside Deputy Chief of Police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Publisher’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 PEIPA Supports the Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Child Abuse Awareness What Is Child Abuse? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Physical Abuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Child Discipline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Sexual Abuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Emotional Abuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Neglect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 When A Parent Abducts Their Child . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 Signs Of Child Abuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 What Should I Do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 12 Child Rights Everyone Should Know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 Duty to Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 Effects Of Child Abuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 Safety Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 How To Identify A Safe Adult . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 10 places to go if you don’t feel safe at home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 Where to find help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75 ADVERTISERS’ INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79 Need help but don’t know where to start? Call 211 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
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5 CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS On behalf of the City of Charlottetown, I extend my heartfelt congratulations the PEI Police Association on the publication of their 36th Annual Crime Prevention Guide. This year’s focus on Child Abuse Awareness brings attention to a deeply important issue and reaffirms our collective responsibility to safeguard the health, safety, and well-being of children in our community. It is my sincere hope that the information shared in this guide will spark meaningful conversations, raise awareness, and most importantly, help empower victims to access the support and resources they need and deserve. I commend the PEI Police Association for their ongoing leadership in crime prevention and public education. Your dedication continues to make our communities safer and stronger. Yours Sincerely, Philip Brown Office of the Mayor MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR OF CHARLOTTETOWN
6 36TH ANNUAL CRIME PREVENTION GUIDE Dr. Wm. Neil McLure Psy.D., C.Psych. Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology 292 Water Street, (Third Floor) Summerside, Prince Edward Island Canada C1N 1B8 Phone: (902) 432-3910 Fax: (902) 432-3007 E-mail: mclure@pei.sympatico.ca HEAD OFFICE 60 Belvedere Ave., Charlottetown, PE C1A 6B1 902-368-3737 Fax: 902-368-3738 FOLDING CARTON DIVISION Borden, PEI 902-437-3737 Fax: 902-437-3749 CORRUGATE DIVISION Dieppe, New Brunswick 506-389-3737 Fax: 506-389-3738
7 CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR OF SUMMERSIDE
8 36TH ANNUAL CRIME PREVENTION GUIDE LYMAN PAYNTER Owner 902-439-4028 101 Old Summerside Road Kensington, PE C0B 1M0 Proud to Support our PEI Police Association Let us help you translate the latest fashion trends to your own personal style. Lady Slipper offers the brands that are trend setting and inspired by the fashion runways around the world. Along with an experienced team, you will be assisted in a friendly, relaxing atmosphere. Come in and enjoy the exceptional service! Our Passion is Your Fashion! 65 Queen Street, Charlottetown, PE, Canada 902 892 6525 Mon. to Fri.: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sat.: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sun.: CLOSED securityfirst@eastlink.ca 100-3 Lower Malpeque Rd., Charlottetown, PE 902.368.8451
9 CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS MESSAGE FROM THE CHARLOTTETOWN CHIEF OF POLICE On behalf of the members and staff of Charlottetown Police Services, I would like to thank the Prince Edward Island Police Association for their steadfast commitment to addressing and supporting issues that affect our community every day. Child abuse is one of the most serious and devastating issues our community faces. It’s a reprehensible crime that often happens in private, including online, and can have profound, lasting impacts on some of our most vulnerable community members. Reporting abuse is never easy. It takes incredible strength and courage from the victim and those around them. Everyone who is impacted or affected by child abuse needs to be fully and carefully supported. Addressing it requires strong partnerships, and Charlottetown Police Services (CPS) remains committed to this vital work. At CPS, the Major Crime Unit is responsible for investigating child abuse and will be adding a new dedicated position to the unit this year that can help address child sexual exploitation in our community. We are fully committed to a trauma-informed approach that prioritizes the safety and well-being of the child while holding offenders accountable. Every child deserves to feel safe. Protecting them is a shared responsibility and together we can make a difference. Respectfully, Sean Coombs Interim Chief of Police
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11 CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS MESSAGE FROM THE SUMMERSIDE CHIEF OF POLICE Summerside Police Services are pleased to pledge its continued support for the Prince Edward Island Police Association and its Annual Crime Prevention Guide, now in its thirty-sixth year. The work of the PEIPA, its members and executive, has had positive and far-reaching impacts across Prince Edward Island and this year’s guide focusing on Chile Abuse Awareness will be no exception. The impacts of child violence are devastating and life changing. Whether it be physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse or neglect, family violence occurs in all demographics of our population. You may know someone who is experiencing child abuse if they: have unexplained injuries or are frequently absent from school, withdraw from social activities, or experience sudden changes in behavior. You can support victims by listening and offering help to access resources. Summerside Police Services pledges to continue to work collectively with our community partners to bring awareness and attention to this issue and to eliminate this type of behavior. Jason R. Blacquiere Chief of Police Summerside Police Services
12 36TH ANNUAL CRIME PREVENTION GUIDE 71 Osprey Place, Brackley Beach, PE C1E 2V8 r.g_construction@outlook.com (902) 940-6457 Commercial and Residential Construction Proud to support the Prince Edward Island Police Association
13 CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS On behalf of the Prince Edward Island Police Association, I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank each and every advertiser and sponsor of our Annual Telephone Appeal, allowing this unique publication to be distributed throughout the community, to schools, libraries and public facilities and also available online at www.peipolice.com, making it easily accessible to everyone. The PEIPA publishes an Annual Crime Prevention Guide to educate the public on important community concerns. This 36th Annual Crime Prevention Guide targets the subject of Child Abuse Awareness and is designed to help educate and promote the public’s role in identifying and reporting potential Child Abuse, and help victims find the support they need. This publication is made possible as a result of financial support from residents and business representatives throughout the province. With their generous support for the activities of the PEI Police Association, PEIPA is also able to give back to their communities through donations to various local charities and programs for youth, including a special donation to Kids Help Phone. We welcome comments or suggestions regarding these publications and always look forward to speaking with you each year during our Annual Telephone Appeal. Respectfully, Mark T. Fenety President Fenety Marketing Services MESSAGE FROM THE PUBLISHER
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15 CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS SPS Cst Carley Matheson providing PEIPA donation to the Ed McNeill Memorial Tournament U13AAA players in photo. PEIPA SUPPORTS THE COMMUNITY $5000 donation ($1000 per year over 5 years) donated to Summerside Generation XX to support building expansion and renovations. Cst Jason Perry next to GordieWhitlock (Generation XX President)
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17 CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS PEIPAVice President Grant MacLeod presents $500 donation to Austin Gallant of the Family Place Center. Sponsorship for the Touch a Truck Event held September 4th, 2025. PEIPA SUPPORTS THE COMMUNITY SPS Cst AmyWalfield providing donation to the U13 Boys Rec HockeyTeam. Cpl Drew Beattie (left) Sgt Grant MacLeod (second from left) Austin Gallant ( right )
18 36TH ANNUAL CRIME PREVENTION GUIDE PROUD SPONSORS of the PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND POLICE ASSOCIATION Prince Edward Island Union of Public Sector Employees Partners in the Community Bus: 902•838•3535 Fax: 902•838•2474 Robertson Road, PO Box 1120 Montague, PE Canada C0A 1R0 902.370.0001 www.winmarcharlottetown.ca n POLICE SCIENCE (CADET) n PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTING n CONSERVATION ENFORCEMENT n CORRECTIONAL OFFICER n IN-SERVICE TRAINING & CONTRACT TRAINING FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT START YOUR CAREER TODAY Visit our website at hollandcollege.com/apa or contact 902-888-6700
19 CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS PEIPA SUPPORTS THE COMMUNITY Cpl Ron Kennedy presenting a donation to Sherwood Parkdale Skating Club Cpl Ron Kennedy presenting a donation to Carley Mayhew, coach of the U15 Provincial Girls Basketball Team.
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21 CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS PEIPA SUPPORTS THE COMMUNITY Cst Dave Burke presenting a donation to Three Oaks Senior High School CheerleadingTeam Cst Burke presenting Oak Level SPONSORSHIP to Men's Provincial LACROSSE team.
22 36TH ANNUAL CRIME PREVENTION GUIDE Dr. Chris McCarthy B.Sc., DC Chiropractor and Medical Acupuncture Provider info@collectivehealthine.ca 125 Walker Ave., Summerside, PE C1N 6G3 www.collectivehealthine.ca (902) 436-5438 RR# 1 Trans Canda Highway Hazelbrook, PE C1B 0R9 Over 25 Years Experience 24 Hours Services (902) 659-2337 (902) 659-2865 www.gillislodge.ca BELFAST nastycracks@hotmail.com www.nastycracks.ca Phone: (902) 672-2842 Fax: (902) 672-1327 Toll Free: 1-888-672-2842 www.stanhopegolfclub.com Luke MacAulay GENERAL MANAGER 4-G WALKER DRIVE BUS: (902) 892-8200 CHARLOTTETOWN, PE C1A 8S6 EMAIL: luke@precisionmechanical.ca 24-HOUR RN CARE REGULAR DOCTOR VISITS PRIVATE OR SEMI PRIVATE UNITS CLOSE TO ALL AMENITIES 114 BEDS, 94 NURSING, 28 COMMUNITY CARE PLANNED ACTIVITY SCHEDULE HOME COOKED MEALS Nursing License No. 4 Community Care License No. 26
23 CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS What Is Child Abuse? Child abuse includes physical, sexual and emotional abuse. It also includes neglect, and any violence that children see or hear in their families. The person who abuses the child can be: • a parent • a brother or sister • another relative • a caregiver • a guardian • a teacher, or • another professional or volunteer who works with children (for example, a doctor or coach). Abuse may take place in a child's home, or it may happen in other places, like other people's homes, schools, community centres or places of worship. Sometimes the child's parents lived abuse as a child, such as in the residential schools many Indigenous peoples were forced to attend. Abuse that someone lived as a child, whether it happened in their home or outside of it, may change the way they parent their own children as abuse is often a learned behaviour. This booklet deals with child abuse in the family. In Canada, there are federal, provincial and territorial laws to protect children from abuse. Some types of abuse are crimes and are listed in the Criminal Code, which is a federal law. Federal laws are laws that apply across Canada. Even if the abuse is not a crime under the Criminal Code, provincial and territorial laws could be used to stop the abuse. Child abuse can cause long-term health problems. www.justice.gc.ca wrapped his fingers tighter around his granddaughter's small hand as they entered the old medical centre. It took courage to make this appointment, but Jack knew they needed the social worker's help. Little Ella and her brother had come to stay with her grandparents for a few weeks over the summer. They had all looked forward to the special visit, thinking it would be great for the kids to have lots of room to run and play. But the two children seemed distant and mostly played their computer games. Ella's frequent nightmares quickly became a concern. Every loud noise seemed to make the little girl jump. Jack had set about earning Ella's trust, bit by bit. When the vacation had come to an end, she had hid in the closet and refused to leave. Through Ella's tears, Jack had learned that her parents were always fighting. Her father often pushed her mother and she in turn often threw things at him. There was lots of yelling. Ella thought it was all her fault and that if she went back something bad would happen. Jack's heart ached at the thought of his daughter and his grandchildren enduring this kind of life. He didn't like the idea of interfering, but he knew the children's safety and well-being had to come first. He hoped it wasn't too late for some counselling to help. Maybe his daughter and her husband could still turn things around and make a better home for the kids. Jack Every child deserves protection from abuse. Reproduced from the Department of Justice publication Child Abuse is Wrong: What Can I Do? without affiliation or endorsement of the Government of Canada.
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25 CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS Physical Abuse What does it look like? Physical abuse is the intentional use of force against a child. It can cause physical pain, injury, or injury that may last a lifetime. This type of abuse includes: • pushing or shoving • hitting, slapping or kicking • strangling or choking • pinching or punching • biting • burning • throwing an object at a child, and • excessive or violent shaking. All of these acts are crimes in Canada. What can I do? Every province and territory has a law that says that any person who believes a child is being abused must report it. You will not get in trouble for making the report if you have reason to believe a child is being abused, even if it turns out you were wrong. If you know a child who is being physically abused, call your local police. In an emergency, call 9-1-1. If you have harmed your child, or think you might harm your child, get help. Here are some things you can do: • In an emergency, call 9-1-1. • Call your local child protection services please refer to pages 75 and 77 at the back of this guide for more resources. • Talk to a social worker, counselor or teacher. • Call the police. www.justice.gc.ca sat alone in the hospital coffee shop. He needed some time alone to calm his nerves. He had just made the call to Child Protection Services.* He couldn’t believe he had taken this step. But his son Jason was waiting for an X-ray upstairs in the children’s section of the hospital to see if his arm was broken. And the doctor was clearly worried about how Jason had gotten his injuries. She had asked a lot of questions about the bruises on Jason’s wrists and face. Jason wouldn’t say much about what had happened at his mother’s place, except that his stepfather had locked him in his room for a long time. The boy’s new stepfather didn’t seem to like the boy very much. Rick felt his stomach clench. He knew that there was a lot at stake here. Rick's ex-wife, Cathy, had mostly ignored her son Jason the first few years after the divorce. When she had finally started to take Jason for the weekends after she re-married, it had seemed like a new start for all of them. However, before long, Jason had stopped wanting to go over to his mother’s. Rick had thought it was just part of adjusting to the new family situation. He had felt sure that Cathy would never let any harm come to their son. Now that Rick knew that Cathy’s husband was abusing Jason, he knew he needed to protect his son. Also, there were other children living in that home. They must have witnessed the violence - they must be afraid that this could happen to them too. Everyone deserves a chance to get some help. Rick Reproduced from the Department of Justice publication Child Abuse is Wrong: What Can I Do? without affiliation or endorsement of the Government of Canada.
26 36TH ANNUAL CRIME PREVENTION GUIDE MacKinnon Bros. Service Centre 419 Mount Edward Road, Charlottetown, PE Licensed Mechanics Inspection Alignment Brake Service (902) 892-7781 (902) 892-2771 Proud Supporter of the PEI Police Association
27 CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS What does it look like? All children need their parents to teach them how to behave. Children need time to learn what they should and should not do. They learn to behave by: • watching their parents and other people • getting clear instructions, and • being praised and encouraged for their efforts. The right kind of discipline teaches children responsibility, self-control, and right from wrong. It raises the child's self-esteem, encourages the child to do better and strengthens the parent-child bond. Parents should never discipline children until the children are old enough to understand it. Babies never need discipline. Why doesn't spanking work? Experts say that spanking is not an effective form of discipline. Spanking can make children angry and resentful. It can cause them to lose trust in their parents. It teaches children that hitting others is okay. In the long run, spanking can make children's behaviour worse. Spanking doesn't work - for you or your child. What does work? What does work is to build your child's confidence and problem-solving skills. It is important to figure out the reasons for your child's behaviour. When you understand the reason for your child's behaviour, it may be easier to handle the situation without losing your temper. Ways to help your child behave well: • Create a loving and respectful home. • Be a good role model. • Focus on prevention. quietly wept over the sink, just staring at the afternoon dishes. Her hands were still shaking. She couldn't believe how close she had just come to total disaster. She had only asked Kaila to pick up her toys! But when Kaila had thrown them all down the stairs, Lori had spun out of control. She was just so tired of the toddler's tantrums. Lori knows Kaila is still young, but why can't she learn to pick up things like her friends already do? It was seeing the cell phone in pieces among the broken toys that had made her start yelling. Where were they going to get the money to replace that? In an instant, she had slapped Kaila really hard. And the next thing she knew, Kaila had lost her balance at the top of the stairs. What was she thinking when she did that? Was she crazy? If Lori hadn't grabbed her, Kaila would have fallen all the way down, just like her dolls. Lori began to sob. She loved Kaila, but everything seemed so hard these days with Roy out of work. She always feels like she's failing, especially when it comes to Kaila. She's got to stop doing things like this before something really bad happens. Kaila could have been seriously hurt! And she supposed that hitting Kaila like that could be considered an assault.* Maybe she could check the Internet to find a parenting class or support group: there must be others like her going through this. Lori Child Discipline continued
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29 CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS Child Discipline continued continued • Decide what is truly important and have a few clear and consistent rules. • Tell your child what you expect. • Praise your child's efforts, even if they're not perfect. • Respect your child's need to express their emotions. • Listen to your child's thoughts, ideas and concerns. • Watch your child closely so you can redirect behaviour before it gets worse. • Make sure that you both get enough sleep. • Make sure that you both eat nutritious food regularly and exercise. • Last but not least, try to have fun with your child. The law on assault in the Criminal Code The Criminal Code outlines most crimes in Canada. It says that assaulting someone or threatening to assault someone is a crime. Touching someone without their consent can be an assault, even if it doesn't harm them. Under the law, assault can include: • slapping • punching • pinching • kicking • confining • restraining, or • unwanted touching. However, not every action where one person hits another person is assault. And not every threat of contact is assault. People may give their consent to contact. For example, hockey players may body check each other without it being a crime. This is because they have given their consent to physical contact within the rules of the sport. Also, section 43 of the Criminal Code can give parents and caregivers a defence to a charge of assault in limited cases if they use reasonable force. Section 43 of the Criminal Code says that parents and caregivers who use reasonable force to correct a child's behaviour may not be found guilty of assault. But section 43 is not a defence for every use of force against a child. Parents or caregivers may only use reasonable force to correct or protect the child. For example, a parent may use reasonable force to put a child in their room for a time out or to pull a child away from traffic. A person who has physically or sexually abused a child cannot use section 43 as a defence. The Supreme Court of Canada decision In 2004, the Supreme Court of Canada looked at section 43. The Court decided that a parent or guardian who uses force to correct a child can only use it in the following ways: • The person may only use force to correct a child if it will help the child learn. The person can never use force in anger. • The child must be between two-years old and twelve-years old. (This means that section 43 is not a defence if the child is younger than two or older than twelve). • The person can only use reasonable force and its impact can only be "transitory and trifling." (This means
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31 CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS that the force causes little or no pain, and does not leave marks on the child). • The person must not use an object, such as a ruler or belt, to apply the force. • The person must not hit or slap the child's face or head. • The seriousness of what happened or what the child did is not relevant to how much force is used in discipline. It may be acceptable for a person to use reasonable force to restrain a child in some circumstances. For example, you may need to hold your child down to put them in a car seat. It is not considered reasonable for you to hit a child in anger or to get back at the child for something the child did. It is against the law to hit a child in anger. The use of force when managing children's behaviour There are times when you may have to use force to control a child and keep the child, or other children, safe. For example, you may need to touch or restrain a child to keep the child from running across the street. Or you may need to carry a screaming three-year-old out of a store. Without section 43, parents and caregivers could face criminal charges and might have to go to court to defend their actions whenever they use force to respond to a child's behaviour. If you are angry, however, finnd some way to cool down before you manage your child's behaviour. Provincial and territorial child protection laws Even if the way you discipline your child is not a crime, it could still be abuse. The provinces and territories also have laws to protect children from abuse. These laws allow the provincial or territorial government to step in when a child needs to be protected from abuse or neglect. www.justice.gc.ca Child Discipline continued Reproduced from the Department of Justice publication Child Abuse is Wrong: What Can I Do? without affiliation or endorsement of the Government of Canada.
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33 CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS Sexual Abuse What does it look like? All sexual contact with anyone without consent is a crime called sexual assault. This includes sexual touching. The Criminal Code contains many offences that protect children from sexual abuse, which happens when a person takes advantage of a child for sexual purposes. It does not always involve physical contact with a child. For example, it could happen when an adult invites a child to touch herself or himself sexually or attempts to lure a child over the Internet for sexual purposes. Sexual contact between an adult and a child under 16 is a crime. In Canada, the general age of consent to sexual activity is 16 years, but there are some exceptions if the other person is close in age to the child. For more information on the age of consent and teenage relationships, visit the Department of Justice links found in "Who Can Help?" at www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/cj-jp/fv-vf/ca w-mei/p14.html. The age of consent is 18 years in some circumstances, for example, where the sexual activity takes place in a relationship of trust, dependency or authority or where the relationship is exploitative of the child. A person of authority or trust could be a parent, step-parent, grandparent, older sibling, teacher or coach. What can I do? If you know a child who is being sexually abused, report it to the police immediately. In an emergency, call 9-1-1. Teach your children about personal safety and how they can stay safe. Please refer to pages 75 and 77 at the back of this guide for more resources. If you have questions about how to recognize child sexual abuse, here are some things you can do: • Call your local child protection services. • Talk to a nurse, social worker, doctor or teacher. • Call the police. www.justice.gc.ca watched the kids climb the play structure in the late autumn sunshine. It was good to see Michael laughing again and joining in the games. Her heart went out to him. The last year had been so difficult. When he had first come to her pre-school daycare, she had thought of Michael as shy and quiet. However, after a while, she had started to wonder if something was going on. Little remarks he had made suggested he knew more about sex than most kids his age. When some of the children had told her that Michael was touching their private parts, she had started to worry. But when Michael also complained that it hurt to go to the bathroom, she had quickly put two and two together. Kate had known right away that she had a duty to report the situation, even if she was worried about where it might all lead. What would it mean for Michael? And for his family? Even for her business? In the end, the authorities had discovered Michael's uncle had sexually abused both Michael and his older brother. The investigation was hard for the family and for everyone involved. But the children were safe now and receiving counselling. She feels a lot of hope for Michael. She believes that he will learn to feel good about himself again and build a new sense of trust. Kate Reproduced from the Department of Justice publication Child Abuse is Wrong: What Can I Do? without affiliation or endorsement of the Government of Canada.
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35 CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS Emotional Abuse What does it look like? Emotional abuse happens when a person uses words or actions to control, frighten, isolate, or take away a child's self-respect and sense of worth. Emotional abuse is sometimes called psychological abuse. It can include: • putting a child down or humiliating a child • constantly criticizing a child • constantly yelling at a child • threatening to harm a child or others • keeping a child from seeing their family or friends without good reason, or • threatening to move a child out of their home. Emotional abuse is serious. Inner wounds can take a long time to heal. Some forms of emotional abuse are crimes in Canada, including: • threatening to harm a child • threatening to harm another person • threatening to destroy the child's personal property • threatening to hurt the child's pet • harassing the child on the telephone • deliberately intimidating a child, and • advising a child to commit suicide. Other forms of emotional abuse are not crimes, but they are still very serious. The provinces and territories also have laws that protect children from emotional abuse. These laws protect children even if the type of abuse is not a crime. Children who see or hear family violence Children can also suffer emotional abuse from seeing or hearing violence between other family members. Even if they don't see or hear the violence, they can be affected by seeing the results of the violence. It can be very hard for children to see or hear family violence even if they are not being physically hurt themselves. They will probably feel scared and insecure. www.justice.gc.ca knew she had to speak to her sister, Irene, again. She could see that Irene's son Patrick was always on edge. His father, Sean, showed little interest in Patrick, except to criticize him. When it came to Patrick, the words "stupid" and "weakling" slid easily off Sean's tongue. Nothing Patrick could do would meet his father's standards. His school grades weren't high enough, his hockey game was poor, and his friends were lazy. On the other hand, their older son, Ryan, received nothing but praise. Nora wondered why her sister went along with this. Maybe Irene was too busy trying to meet her husband's expectations herself to see what was going on with her son. Patrick was either invisible or a problem. No wonder he was still wetting the bed! Nora had spoken to Irene, but her sister had quickly changed the subject. "It's not that serious," she had said. "Patrick needs to be tougher." Nora wondered how she could find the right words to break through to Irene. She had picked up some pamphlets about child abuse at the community centre. Perhaps she could use them to start a conversation about their own father's harsh behaviour. Maybe if Irene could remember the pain of that old abuse, she could find the strength to get some help for herself and for Patrick. Nora Reproduced from the Department of Justice publication Child Abuse is Wrong: What Can I Do? without affiliation or endorsement of the Government of Canada.
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37 CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS Neglect shivered as she removed her winter coat and wrapped it around little Olivia. She turned the car heater to high as she helped the seven-year-old into her car and called 9 1 1 on her cell phone. Nikhita had stayed into the evening at the school to mark exams. It had been snowing for hours when she came out, so she was shocked to find her young student huddled beside her car in the parking lot. The girl's hair and sweater were glistening with snow. Her voice was barely a whisper when she told Nikhita that no one was at home and her house was locked. No, she didn't know where her parents were. Olivia had only been at the school for a month, but Nikhita had already expressed her concern about the girl to the principal. She looked tired all the time and rarely brought a lunch to school. Now that it was winter, it was clear that she didn't have a winter coat or winter boots. The other kids had sensed Olivia was unprotected and taken to teasing her. Nikhita knew the principal had tried calling the girl's parents, but hadn't got through. Clearly, the time had come for stronger measures. It would be up to the police to figure out what was going on at home. This kind of neglect was too much. Olivia and her family needed help. Nikhita put her arm around the little girl to keep them both warm as they waited for the ambulance to arrive. Nikhita What does it look like? Neglect happens when a parent or guardian fails to meet a child's basic needs. Sometimes parents neglect their children on purpose. Sometimes parents don't mean to neglect their children, but they have so many problems themselves that they can't look after their children properly. Neglect can include: • not giving a child proper food or warm clothing • not providing a child with a safe and warm place to live • not making sure a child washes regularly • not providing enough health care or medicine • not paying any attention to a child's emotional needs • not preventing physical harm, and • not making sure a child is supervised properly. Sometimes, neglect can hurt just as much as physical abuse. Some forms of neglect are crimes in Canada. For example, failing to provide the necessaries of life* and child abandonment* are crimes. The provinces and territories also have laws to protect children from neglect. These laws protect children even if the type of abuse is not a crime. If you believe that a child you know is being neglected you can: • Call your local child protection services. • Call the police. • Talk to a public health nurse, doctor, social worker or teacher. • Call your local help line. • In an emergency, call 9-1-1. www.justice.gc.ca Reproduced from the Department of Justice publication Child Abuse is Wrong: What Can I Do? without affiliation or endorsement of the Government of Canada.
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39 CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS When A Parent AbductsTheir Child Most abducted children are taken by someone the child knows. The person who takes them is most often a parent. Parental child abduction happens when one parent takes a child without either the legal right or the permission of the other parent. Parental child abduction is a crime in Canada. An exception may apply when a parent takes the child to protect them from immediate harm. What to do if you are afraid the other parent may abduct your child: • Contact a lawyer. • Contact your local police. • Keep records of all important information about your child and store it in a safe place. • Keep a copy of your parenting or custody order* or agreement with you. • Ask your local passport office to add your child's name to the Passport Control List. If your children are citizens of another country, contact that embassy or consulate to ask them to refuse passports for your children. • Talk to your child about using the phone and explain how your parenting or custody order or agreement works if you are separated or divorced. • If it is safe to do so, try to maintain good relations with the other parent and any extended family. • Keep photos, recordings or other proof of the family violence. If your child is abducted: • Contact your local police immediately. • If you are out of the country, make sure to report the disappearance to the federal government's Consular Services at 613-996-8885. You may call collect, where available. • If you are inside Canada and you think your child is outside Canada, call the federal government's Consular Services at 1-800-387-3124 (TTY 613-944-1310 or 1-800-394-3472) or go to https://travel.gc.ca/. • Contact a child search organization in your province or territory and register your child as missing www.justice.gc.ca
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41 CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS continued Signs Of Child Abuse The Warning Signs of Child Abuse November 30, 2023 Did you know that two-third of Canadian adults report experiencing some form of child abuse before the age of 15? Every child deserves to be protected from all forms of violence and to grow up in a safe and nurturing home. Sadly, children and youth often face abuse at hands of close family members and other adults in their lives – the same people who are supposed to protect them. In previous years, children had faced an increased risk of child abuse due to COVID-19 restrictions: School closures have kept kids away from safeguards against abuse, and increased screen time has left young people vulnerable to online predators. Whether you’re a teacher, doctor or neighbour, we all interact with children in various ways. It’s important to understand the warning signs of abuse, as a child may not want to disclose this information. Identifying child abuse is not as simple as finding bruises or marks on a child’s body. Abuse can also be emotional, sexual, or due to neglect. Child abuse can take different forms, affecting a child’s physical or emotional health and well-being. Before identifying the warning signs of child abuse, it’s important to understand the various forms. Take a look at the main ones below. Physical abuse Physical abuse relates to putting a child in harm’s way. It can be a deliberate attempt to harm a child through excessive physical punishments. While abusive parents insist that their actions are simply forms of discipline, there is a difference between discipline and abuse. Discipline is about educating a child rather than instilling fear. Once an adult passes that line, a child may be under physical abuse. Children who experience physical abuse often deal with unpredictability in their lives due to their abusers’ temperament or mood swings. This can make some children feel like they are constantly walking on eggshells, causing them to remain cautious around adults. Based on their experience, they don’t know what kind of behaviour will trigger a physical assault. Designed by Freepik
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43 CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS Signs Of Child Abuse continued Sexual abuse Sexual abuse is another form of child maltreatment that deeply affects the physical and mental well-being of children. This form of abuse occurs when an adult – or even a teenager or older child – touches a child’s private parts or makes a child touch another person in a sexual way. However, this type of child abuse does not always involve body contact. Examples of non-touching sexual abuse include manipulating and forcing a child to pose for sexual photos or coercing a child to watch sexual acts. Sextortion is blackmail. It’s when someone online threatens to send a sexual image or video of you to other people if you don’t pay them or provide more sexual content. Online luring is when a person (typically an adult but not always) communicates with youth through technology, like texting, direct messaging, or chatting in an app/game/website, to make it easier to commit a specific sexual offence against them. This form of abuse causes a great deal of shame, confusion and guilt for children and youth. As a result, young people find it difficult to seek help. They fear that others may not believe their story or somehow blame them. Children may also fear splitting the family apart. Neglect Child neglect is the most common type of abuse, but it can be difficult to spot. This type of child abuse refers to failing to provide for a child’s basic needs. This includes affection, food, shelter, education, supervision or medical care. There are various reasons why a parent may be physically or mentally available to care for their child. For example, it could be due to a severe injury or illness, or even untreated anxiety or depression. Other times, drug or alcohol abuse may cloud a parent’s judgment to provide for their child and keep them safe. Emotional abuse Emotional abuse is a form of injuring a child’s emotional well-being. Painful words can seriously damage a child’s social development and mental health. Constant belittling or shaming can also cause a child’s confidence to drop. Frequent yelling, threatening or silent treatments as punishments are other examples of abuse. Limiting affection is also a form of emotional abuse, as the lack of love and care can change the social and mental development of a child. Warning Signs of Child Abuse Knowing the warning signs of child abuse will help you protect the child’s rights. A child may feel guilty or ashamed to tell the truth to somebody else. It may also be difficult to speak since the abuser may be their parent, relative, or family friend. The child may become increasingly secretive, especially regarding their time and activities spent online. Look through these warning signs of child abuse to reduce risks and possible outcomes for the child. Physical Abuse Physical abuse may be hard to identify since playing and other normal activities can lead to injuries. Be on the watch for unexplained injuries, such as burns, bruises, black eyes or broken bones. Forced to cover their injuries, children may wear inappropriate clothes to hide them. Wearing long-sleeved shirts on very hot days is an example. They may also flinch at sudden touches or movements. continued
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45 CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS Signs Of Child Abuse continued Another sign is when a child seems afraid of their parent or protests to head back home. You should also observe the parent or adult caregiver. Do they lack a reasonable explanation or appear uncaring or insensitive to the child’s injury? It’s best to ask both the child and parent about the injury to check if their stories conflict. Sexual Abuse This kind of trauma can change a child’s behaviour in ways that point to warning signs of sexual abuse. This includes acting out, withdrawn behaviour, substance abuse, harming themselves, and referring to sexual themes during playtime. Have you seen a child with an unusual or premature understanding of sex? A child who has undergone sexual abuse will likely show sexual behaviour or knowledge. Sexual abuse may cause a child or youth to either be more promiscuous or cautious about touching. If a child has trouble sitting or walking around due to pain around their private parts, this is something that should be addressed. Be concerned if they suddenly don’t want to join the physical activities they usually love to do. Neglect When a child exhibits poor behaviour or consistently has bad hygiene, this could be a sign of neglect. Lack of clothing and meals is also a sign of neglect and goes against a child’s rights. If a child shares that there is no care at home, this is not something to take lightly. Emotional Maltreatment Children may show extremes in behaviour if they’ve experienced emotional maltreatment. Emotional abuse also causes children to be more cautious or fearful when doing certain actions. The child may either act too much like an adult or inappropriately childish. If you notice that a child does not seem to have a reasonable connection to their parent, caregiver or another adult in their life, they may be experiencing emotional abuse. Notice child abuse before it’s too late Always put children first when you find signs of abuse. If a child discloses an abusive situation to you, or if you suspect they may be a victim of child abuse, get the authorities involved. There is an obligation / legal duty to report suspected abuse. If the danger is imminent, call 9-1-1 immediately. For more resources on how to report suspected cases of child abuse, click here. If you know a young person who needs to talk to someone for support, they can all Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 or text 686868. Let’s work together to keep kids safe! For more information about online sexual exploitation of children and to report it, go to: https://www.cybertip.ca/en/. childrenfirstcanada.org/
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