CHILD ABUSE

What is it? Physical, emotional and sexual maltreatment of a child.

Physical - Actively hurting or failing to take proper care of a child.
Emotional - Depriving a child of affection, acceptance, habitually humiliating a child, verbal abuse – child constantly hears “You’re no good”.
Sexual - Ranges from touching a child (genitals) to actual sexual relations with a child – very often a relative or a friend.

How do you detect it?

• Child malnourished, dirty, inappropriately clothed, frequently overtired
• Bruises, cuts, burns on body
• Sudden reluctance to go somewhere or be with someone
• Inappropriate displays of affection or explicit sexual acts
• Abused infants exhibit what is described as “frozen watchfulness”
• Sudden use of sexual terms or new names of parts of the body
• Regressive behaviour (thumb sucking, bed wetting)
• Sleep problems, insomnia, and nightmares
• Extreme clinginess or other signs of fearfulness
• Depression or withdrawal
• A sudden change in personality
• Problems in school

How can you prevent it? - Educate your child

1. Differences between good and bad touching
2. Your body belongs to you
   • You have the right to say who touches you and how
   • If someone touches you in a way that you don’t like, it’s OK to say NO
   • If a person doesn't stop, you say, “I’m going to tell” then tell no matter what!
   • Don’t agree to keep a secret
   • Believe that someone you trust will listen and believe you
   • Don’t believe threats
3. Children must have permission to speak up and know they will be believed and supported by the adults in their lives.
4. Monitor your child’s day
• Be interested in what they did
• Talk with them and listen
5. Ask questions
   • What did you do today?
   • Did anything special happen?
   • Did you take a nap?
   • What did you have for lunch?

If your child tells you about something they didn’t like or that made them feel bad ask:

• “What does __________ do”?
• “What did he/she say?”
• “How did you feel when ________?’
• “What upset you?”
  

- What is the Child Care Registry
- Parent Information
- Child Care Provider Information
- Unlicensed Child Care Provider Registration
- Parent Waiver and Instructions
- Caregiver Waiver and Instructions