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Difference between revisions of "Reporting Suspected Child Abuse"
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Reporting Suspected Child Abuse (view source)
Revision as of 23:45, 10 February 2019
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The law protects children from sexual and physical abuse and from neglect. Learn how child protection laws work, and what to do if you think a child is being abused. | The law protects children from sexual and physical abuse and from neglect. Learn how child protection laws work, and what to do if you think a child is being abused. | ||
Understand the legal framework | |||
How abuse and the neglect of children is defined | ==Understand the legal framework== | ||
The protection of children is one of society’s greatest obligations. In addition to the criminal and civil laws that apply to everyone, there is also a specific provincial law intended to protect children from sexual and physical abuse and from neglect. This law defines a “child” as any person under 19 years of age. | |||
===How abuse and the neglect of children is defined=== | |||
The protection of children is one of society’s greatest obligations. In addition to the criminal and civil laws that apply to everyone, there is also a specific [http://canlii.ca/t/84dv provincial law] intended to protect children from sexual and physical abuse and from neglect. This law defines a “child” as any person under 19 years of age. | |||
Here are definitions of key concepts: | Here are definitions of key concepts: | ||
Physical abuse means any physical force or action by a parent or adult which could injure a child and exceeds “reasonable discipline”. | *'''Physical abuse''' means any physical force or action by a parent or adult which could injure a child and exceeds “reasonable discipline”. | ||
Sexual abuse means any sexual touching or intercourse between a child and an older person, or using a child for sexual purposes. | *'''Sexual abuse''' means any sexual touching or intercourse between a child and an older person, or using a child for sexual purposes. | ||
Sexual exploitation is a form of sexual abuse that occurs when a child engages in sexual activity, usually through manipulation or coercion, in exchange for money, drugs, food, shelter or other things. | *'''Sexual exploitation''' is a form of sexual abuse that occurs when a child engages in sexual activity, usually through manipulation or coercion, in exchange for money, drugs, food, shelter or other things. | ||
Emotional harm is when a child has serious anxiety, depression, withdrawal or self-destructive or aggressive behaviors due to persistent emotional abuse by a parent. This can include scapegoating, blaming, rejection, threats, insults or humiliation. Emotional harm can also happen to children who witness violence in their homes. | *'''Emotional harm''' is when a child has serious anxiety, depression, withdrawal or self-destructive or aggressive behaviors due to persistent emotional abuse by a parent. This can include scapegoating, blaming, rejection, threats, insults or humiliation. Emotional harm can also happen to children who witness violence in their homes. | ||
Neglect is when a parent fails to look after the physical, emotional or medical needs of a child, endangering the child’s health, development or safety. | *''Neglect''' is when a parent fails to look after the physical, emotional or medical needs of a child, endangering the child’s health, development or safety. | ||
If you have reason to believe a child is being abused | |||
If you have reason to believe a child has been or is likely to be abused or neglected, the law in BC requires you to report your concerns to a child welfare worker. | ===If you have reason to believe a child is being abused=== | ||
If you have reason to believe a child has been or is likely to be abused or neglected, the [https://www.canlii.org/en/bc/laws/stat/rsbc-1996-c-46/latest/rsbc-1996-c-46.html#sec14_smooth law] in BC requires you to report your concerns to a child welfare worker. “'''Reason to believe'''” means you suspect a child could be at risk, based on what you have seen or information you have. You do not need proof. Just report what you know. | |||
It doesn’t matter if you think someone else is reporting the situation or if a child welfare worker is already involved with the child — you must still make a report. It also doesn’t matter who the suspected abuser is. They could be a family member, your neighbour, or a member of your church or temple. They could be a patient or client. They could be your boss or your employee. Your duty to report your concerns takes priority over any confidentiality or privilege that might apply to your relationship with the suspected abuser. | It doesn’t matter if you think someone else is reporting the situation or if a child welfare worker is already involved with the child — you must still make a report. It also doesn’t matter who the suspected abuser is. They could be a family member, your neighbour, or a member of your church or temple. They could be a patient or client. They could be your boss or your employee. Your duty to report your concerns takes priority over any confidentiality or privilege that might apply to your relationship with the suspected abuser. | ||
It is an offence not to report suspicions of abuse or neglect. The only exception is for a lawyer who may have concerns that involve their client. | It is an offence not to report suspicions of abuse or neglect. The only exception is for a lawyer who may have concerns that involve their client. | ||