Most children get the love and care they need to grow up strong, safe and secure. They are lucky enough to have families and homes where they feel loved and protected.

Unfortunately, other children may be in danger of being abused or neglected - and those children need all our help.

Child abuse is one of the most serious problems facing our society. Each year, the Ministry of Children and Family Development receives approximately 30,000 calls from concerned citizens that a child or youth might be in need of protection.

Today is Child Abuse Prevention Day in British Columbia, a time to recognize that we all have a vital role to play in keeping kids safe and healthy.

Whether they're our own children, our neighbours', or a stranger's, we all share responsibility for their well-being, and in B.C., citizens also have a legal obligation to report suspected abuse.

The Province operates a toll-free 24 hour helpline for children - 310-1234 - which can be accessed from anywhere in B.C. No area code is required. Anyone can call - children or youth who need help, parents in crisis who are afraid they might hurt their children or anyone who knows or suspects a child is being abused or neglected.

A 16-page brochure developed for public use, Responding to Child Welfare Concerns: Your Role in Knowing When and What to Report, is available in several different languages on the ministry website: http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/child_protection/pdf/child_welfare_your_role.pdf

It helps individuals learn about the signs of abuse and neglect, and what to do when a child may be at risk.

Quotes:

Mary McNeil, Minister of Children and Family Development -

"As a mother and grandmother, it's heartbreaking to know any child is being abused or neglected, let alone the effects that it has on a child's development."

"By working together and sharing information on how to prevent, recognize and report signs of abuse we can help protect our children from abuse and give them the opportunity to achieve healthy, fulfilling and productive lives."

Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, Representative for Children and Youth -

"Children and youth need and deserve our love and respect. We need to work together to make sure violence, including family violence, has no place in the lives of children and their families."

"Being a good friend and neighbour means standing up for children and youth and helping make their homes and communities safer places."

Tahir Humayun, Sergeant, Police Community Response Team, Youth Services Section, Vancouver Police Department -

"Youth are a vulnerable segment of our society, and it is the responsibility of all of us to protect them, and take any and all steps necessary to create an environment that gives them the best chance at a healthy and productive childhood."

Learn More:

For more information on the indicators of abuse, how to report suspected abuse and a range of child-welfare and child-protection resources, please visit: www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/child_protection/index.htm

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

Shae Greenfield
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Children and Family Development
250 356-1639

BACKGROUNDER

April 5, 2012 Ministry of Children and Family Development

Tips for child abuse prevention

Child abuse can take different forms:

• Physical abuse is any physical force or action that results, or could result, in injury to a child. It's stronger than what would be considered reasonable discipline.
• Sexual abuse is the use of a child for sexual gratification. It includes sexual touching as well as non-touching abuse, such as making a child watch sexual acts.
• Emotional abuse is a pattern of destructive behaviour or verbal attacks by an adult on a child. It can include rejecting, terrorizing, ignoring, isolating, exploiting or corrupting a child.
• Neglect is failure to provide for a child's basic needs: food, clothing, adequate shelter, supervision and medical care. Neglect is the form of abuse most frequently reported to the Ministry for Children and Families.

Know the signs of abuse. Abused and neglected children almost always show signs of their suffering. Some of the most common signs include:

• Injuries - bruises, cuts, burns, bite marks, fractures - that are inconsistent with the explanation offered.
• The presence of several injuries in different stages of healing.
• Fear of adults and lack of trust.
• Extremely aggressive or withdrawn.
• Attention-seeking behaviours.
• Difficulty sitting or walking.
• Loss of appetite.
• Age-inappropriate sexual knowledge.
• Unattended medical needs, constant hunger or poor hygiene.

Sometimes, a child who is being abused or neglected will tell someone they trust. If this happens to you:

• Stay calm.
• Listen to them.
• Let them know you believe them.
• Reassure them.
• Tell them you're sorry it happened, and let them know it's not their fault.
• Don't promise to keep it a secret.
• Don't say everything will be fine now. It may take some time before everything is fine again.

Contact:

Shae Greenfield
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Children and Family Development
250 356-1639