HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1996-02-07, Page 17Safe Child Prcpgrarn w Ring to prevent ab&l:a
EXETER - In Canada it is estimated more than 225,000
children are abused each year and many more cases go
undetected and unreported. The Safe Child Program is
x:4..0rt.
The Safe Child
Program
Basic Principles of Prevention
• Your body belongs to you
• You have a right to say who touches
you and how
• If someone touches you in a way that
you don't like, in a way that upsets
you, that makes you feel
uncomfortable, or that you think is
wrong, it's okay to say "no".
• If the person doesn't stop, say, "I'm
going to tell" and then tell.
• If you're asked to iep a secret say,
"No, t'm going to telL
•
If someone is hitting you so hard that
it leaves marks that are there the next
day, that's too much. You need to tell
M says y e3 'that =Wyatt
feel Willy badly a •'. • ; .r , and it
keeps happening, you need to tell a grown-
up who can help you
Kids have a right to be taken of. If
you're not getting enough of the
things you need to grow up strong
and healthy, ask for help.
If you have a problem, keep talking
about it until someolils,tuelps you.
working with Huron County schools' and parents to ensure
the well-being of children by $vurg them the tools they
need to prevent physical ab, r
According to the Institute fop the Prevention of Child
Abuse (IPCA), ►ysical abusing the most common form of
abuse, involving nearly 50 per cent of all child abuse
reports. Each year approximafly, 50 children die in Canada
as a result of child abuse and 85 per cent of all cases of
physical abuse result from some form of excessive
discipline.
An information session, recendy held by Rural Response
for Healthy Children at Precious Blood School, gave
•
parents a overview of preventative measures children are
taught through the Safe Child Prggram. The program is
built around rights children ha*e,to ownership of their
bodies and protection from physical, sexual or emotional
abuse as well as neglect.
"If someone touches you in a Way you don't like, in a
way that makes you feel funny or uncomfortable inside, or
in a way that you think is wrong, it's okay to say `no',"
students are told.
The program doesn't ask adults to change their ways of
expressing affections but gives children permission to speak
up when they are uncomfortable.
Through the use of role playing, children are taught
possible solutions to a problem and ways to anticipate and
plan. It is important to avoid asking questions that might
frighten children. Also, any ciuestion.posed by a child must
The IPCA believes children who are physically abused
are more likely to get into trouble, become aggressive with
other children and as adults are tend to resolve conflicts
with their spouse and their own children through violence.
The institute stresses it is important physically or sexually
abused children receive professional evaluation and
treatment as soon as possible to regain a sense for self-
esteem and relieve feelings of guilt.
The observable indicators of physical abuse include bite
marks, unusual bruises, a high incidence of accidents or
frequent injuries and fractures in unusual places.
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Self- inking tit 1111p',
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Irirrlsow.s.:
424 Stain Street
Exp Ontario
(5±.9) 2381331
Fax: (big) 2350766 1
am to sOo p.m. Moarwt.
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Avoidance of physical contact with others, apprehension
when other children cry, refusal to undress for gym class,
inconsistent versions about injuries and aggressive play are
some behavioral indicators of
physical abuse.
Indicators of a sexually abused
child include difficulty wallcing or
sitting, torn clothing or venereal
disease, especially in pre -teens and
pregnancy. A sexually abusive
parent or guardian may be overly
protective, abuse alcohol or other
drugs, encourage exhibitionism in
a child or expose the child to
The program
doesn't ask adults
to change their
ways of
expressing
affections but
gives children
permission to
speak up when
they are
unconsfortable.
pornographic and sexually stimulating pictures.
Because children often find it difficult to tell in words they
have been sexually abused or assaulted, the cause of a change
in behavior such as sexual acting out, inappropriate displays
of affection, sleep problems, difficulties in school or rejection
of typical family affection, should be explored. As with
other forms of abuse, any one of these observations in
isolation could indicate a number of other problems.
However a pattern of events may be cause for concern.
In Canada, Section 43 of the Criminal Code still permits
the "reasonable" hitting of children by parents, teachers and
other caregivers. Concern has been expressed by the United
Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child that legislation
allowin# corporal punishment of children is incompatible
ivifF Con than of the Rights Of Ilie Cly: "ding to
the convention,"State parties sliNtmile all appropriate
legislative, social and educational measures to protect the
child from all forms of physical and mental violence while in
the care of parents, legal guardians or any other parent who
has care of the child."
Six countries that have now banned all physical
punishment of children include Sweden, Denmark, Finland,
Norway, Austria and Cyprus. It is believed by IPCA children
raised in countries which have banned all forms of physical
punishment grow up to be responsible and well -adjusted
adults.
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