Did you know you have a legal obligation to report suspected child abuse?

Fortunately, most children get the love, care and nurturing they need to feel safe and secure so they can have a healthy childhood. Sadly, though, there are some children who may be in danger of being abused or neglected.

Whether they are our own children, a neighbour, or a stranger, all British Columbians share responsibility to look after the well-being of children and ensure they get the help they need. Today is Child Abuse Prevention Day in B.C. to help remind us we all play a part in keeping kids safe and healthy.

The Ministry of Children and Family Development receives approximately 30,000 calls a year from concerned citizens about children and youth who might be in need of protection.

Anyone who suspects a child is being abused or neglected should call B.C.'s free, 24-hour Helpline for Children at 310-1234 - no area code is required. Callers can remain anonymous and anyone can call - whether a child or teen in need of help, a friend, a parent or caregiver in crisis, or someone who suspects a child is being abused or neglected.

The helpline is a fundamental resource for preventing and stopping child abuse and getting the children and their families the help they need. On the other end of the phone is a child welfare worker who is ready to listen, help and take action.

A 16-page handbook, Responding to Child Welfare Concerns: Your Role in Knowing When and What to Report, has been produced to help the public learn the warning signs and what to do when a child may be at risk. It is available in several different languages at: www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/child_protection/translated.htm

Quotes:

Stephanie Cadieux, Minister of Children and Family Development -

"Child abuse is unacceptable and the safety and well-being of children in B.C. is always our first priority. Abuse can profoundly impact a child's development, and drastically hinder their ability to reach their full potential and lead healthy, fulfilling lives. By preventing, recognizing and reporting abuse, we can help ensure kids grow up in the best possible physical and mental health."

Shelley Horne, Detective Constable, Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Unit, Special Investigation Section, Vancouver Police Department -

"By working together we can help promote safety for all children and youth, and ensure that when violence against a child or youth does occur, appropriate resources and measures are dedicated to establish the best possible outcome for the child or youth."

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

Sheldon Johnson
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Children and Family Development
250 256-1639

BACKGROUNDER

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 physical harm to a child. It includes using unreasonable force to punish children or prevent them from harming themselves or others.

• 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 that is likely to have serious negative emotional effects. It can include a pattern of rejection, isolation, insults, humiliation, scapegoating, threats, or exploiting the 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 of Children and Family Development.

The likelihood of physical and emotional harm to a child increases when the child is living in a situation where there is domestic violence by or toward a person who lives with the child.

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 may be 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.

Learn More:

More information on how to recognize abuse and to report suspected abuse, and a range of child-welfare and child-protection resources can be found at: www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/child_protection/index.htm

Contact:

Sheldon Johnson
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Children and Family Development
250 256-1639