WHAT IS ABUSE?

Child Protection Child Protection GuidelinesGuidelines

Ramsgrange Community SchoolRamsgrange Community SchoolFebruary 27February 27thth 2013 2013

“Child abuse occurs when the behaviour of someone in a position of greater power than a child or young person abuses that power and causes harm to that child or young person.”

[Our Children, Our Church, page 41, 7.2]

Alert to possibility of abuse

Report reasonable

concerns suspicions to

Health Board/ Gardai

Code of Behaviour & Anti-bullying

policy

Adopt Child Protection Guidelines

Duty of Care towards children

“No one professional has all the skills, knowledge, or resources necessary to comprehensively meet all the requirements of an individual case”.

Children First:6.1.1

Children First 6.1.1

DEFINITION & RECOGNITION DEFINITION & RECOGNITION OF CHILD ABUSE OF CHILD ABUSE

“child” means a person under the age of 18 years who has not married. This abuse can be categorised as follows:

NEGLECT EMOTIONAL ABUSE PHYSICAL ABUSE SEXUAL ABUSE

How can you begin to recognise abuse?•CONSIDER POSSIBILITY•OBSERVE SIGNS OF ABUSE•RECORD INFORMATION

Reasonable Grounds for Concern

specific indication from the child that (s)he was abused; an account by a person who saw the child being abused; evidence, such as an injury or behaviour which is consistent with

abuse and unlikely to be caused another way; an injury or behaviour which is consistent both with abuse and

with an innocent explanation but where there are corroborative indicators supporting the concern that it may be a case of abuse. An example of this would be a pattern of injuries, an implausible explanation, other indications of abuse e.g. dysfunctional behaviour;

consistent indication, over a period of time, that a child is suffering from emotional or physical neglect

Aspects of the child’s behaviour Consistent signs of neglect over a period of time

Children First: 4.3.2.

NeglectNeglectWhere the child suffers significant harm or impairment of development by

being deprived of; food clothing, warmth, hygiene, intellectual stimulation, supervision and safety, attachment to affection from adults, medical care.

Children First:3.2.1.

Indicators of NeglectIndicators of NeglectWith the people around you identify what you would see With the people around you identify what you would see as the primary behavioural & physical indicators of as the primary behavioural & physical indicators of neglect.neglect.

Behavioural Indicators

Exposed to danger; lack of age appropriate supervision

Over protection- extreme control

Low self esteem Child as parent(parentified) Caring for younger siblings Accident prone Poor hygiene - lack of self care Untreated illnesses

Physical Indicators Tiredness, listlessness Hunger Dental issues Dirty/smelly Bed wetting/soiled Failure to thrive Learning difficulties Lack of provision of health

care Age inappropriate

appearance - dress/style

Emotional AbuseEmotional Abuse

When a child’s need for affection, approval, consistency and security are not met.

Emotional abuse is normally to be found in the relationship between a care-giver and a child.

Children First:3.3.1.

Indicators of Emotional Indicators of Emotional AbuseAbuseWith the people around you identify what you would see as With the people around you identify what you would see as the primary behavioural & physical indicators of emotional the primary behavioural & physical indicators of emotional abuse.abuse.

Physical Indicators

Sudden speech disorders Eating disorders Self harm Wetting and soiling Signs of mutilation Attention seeking behaviour Frequent vomiting

Behavioural Indicators

Mood change e.g. depression, failure to communicate

Rocking, thumb sucking Fear of change Chronic runaway Poor peer

relationships/isolation Truancy Delinquency

Physical AbusePhysical Abuse

Any form of non-accidental injury or injury which results

from wilful or neglectful failure to protect a child.

Children First 3.4.1

Indicators of Physical Indicators of Physical AbuseAbuseWith the people around you identify what you would see as the With the people around you identify what you would see as the primary behavioural & physical indicators of physical abuse.primary behavioural & physical indicators of physical abuse.

Physical Indicators

Scratches Bite marks or welts Bruises in places difficult to

mark e.g. behind ears, groin etc

Burns, especially cigarette burns

Under nourishment Untreated injuries

Behavioural Indicators

Self mutilation tendencies Poor concentration/learning Chronic runaway Aggressive or withdrawn Fear of returning home Undue fear of adults Bullying/being a victim

Sexual AbuseSexual Abuse

When a child is used by another

person for his/her gratification or

sexual arousal or for that of

others.

Children First:3.5.1.

Indicators of Sexual Indicators of Sexual Abuse Abuse

Physical Indicators

Soreness, bleeding, itching in the genital or anal area

STIs Pregnancy Genital injury Eating disorders Stomach pains or

headaches Pain on urination Bruises on inner thighs or

buttocks

Behavioural Indicators

Inappropriate language, sexual knowledge for age group

Chronic depression/low self-esteem

Inappropriate sexual behaviour

Substance/drug abuse Self harm

Why Children Don’t Tell ?

Fear of abuser Fear of the

consequence Fear of being

disbelieved Guilt

Taboo subject Abuse has been

normalised Bribes Language

Why Children Do Tell ?Why Children Do Tell ?

Meet a person they can trust Begin to learn what is normal Become aware of their suffering Pain too great To prevent it happening to siblings

and/or others

How should you deal with a disclosure?

DON’T DON’T

Panic Promise to keep secrets Ask leading questions Make the child repeat the

story unnecessarily Delay Start to investigate

DoDo

Stay calm Listen Believe Reassure Record in writing Discuss Report

Responsibilities (3.1)Responsibilities (3.1)

We must provide students with highest standard of care

All school personnel are well placed to observe behavioural changes/signs of abuse

BOM must appoint a Designated Liaison Person (DLP) & Deputy DLP

DLP is Principal

Recording Disclosure (3.5)

Note what you have seen/observed Describe/sketch physical injuries Record what child said, use child’s

words Avoid conjecture/supposition Sign/ date/ give to DLP (who retains in

secure location)

Protecting yourself Two parents/guardians supervise study Do not isolate yourself in any situation

with a child e.g. Car Classroom Corridor

Not responsible for managing behaviour. Note if a child leaves early and ensure

they have prior permission.

PROTECTION FOR PERSONS PROTECTION FOR PERSONS REPORTING CHILD ABUSE ACT REPORTING CHILD ABUSE ACT

19981998

PROVIDES PROTECTION TO ANYONE MAKING A REPORT OF CHILD ABUSE

“REASONABLY & IN GOOD FAITH”

TO A

“DESIGNATED OFFICER”

FROM

CIVIL LIABILITY

AND

PENALISATION BY EMPLOYERS

FINE FOR FALSE REPORTING GARDAI HEALTH SERVICE EXECUTIVE

Alert to possibility of abuse

Report reasonable

concerns suspicions to

Health Board/ Gardai

Code of Behaviour & Anti-bullying

policy

Adopt Child Protection Guidelines

Duty of Care towards children