Raven’s Nest is here for you and your child to help connect you to information, resources and support to get you through this very confusing and difficult time.
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What is abuse?
Child abuse can take many forms. Being aware of the different types of abuse can lead to a better awareness, reporting and prevention.
Physical Abuse
Any physical force or action that results, or could result, in an injury to a child.
Sexual Abuse
The use of a child for sexual gratification. This includes sexual touching, as well as non-touching, such as making a child watch sexual acts.
Emotional Abuse
A pattern of destructive behaviour or verbal attacks by an adult or a child. It can include rejecting, terrorizing, ignoring, isolating, exploiting or corrupting a child.
Neglect
Failure to provide for a child’s basic needs: food, clothing, shelter, supervision or medical care.
Warning Signs
– Unexplained bruises: Face, lower back, thighs, buttocks, breasts -Unexplained fractures -Constant complaints of sore throat or stomach aches -Lack of proper hygiene
-Sudden onset of nightmares, bed wetting and/or fear of the dark -Sudden change in attitude towards someone or in general -Expressing sexual knowledge not typical to their age- language or play
Duty to Report
If you think a child or youth is being abused or neglected, you have the legal duty to report it- Phone 1 800 663-9122 any time of the day or night. When making a report, it is helpful to include your name, your phone number and your relationship to the child or youth. In turn, here are some things the child welfare worker may want to know:
– The child’s name and location
– If there are any immediate safety concerns for the child