Month: March 2014
End the abuse #tellsomeone
#TELLSOMEONE
What should you do?
We know that abuse can be very scary, and sometimes it can feel like telling someone might make it worse, but no one has the right to hurt you, and you do have the right to #tellsomeone.
Who should you tell?
Pick someone you trust. This could be one of your friends, parents, neighbours, cousins; anyone you feel safe talking to. If you do not feel like you can trust any friends or family; tell someone at your school. Your teacher, principal and guidance counsellor are safe adults, who you can trust if you are in trouble.
What if your friend is in trouble?
If your friend has chosen to tell you about their scary situation, or even if you have just seen something that makes you worry, you have the right to #tellsomeone too. Even if you are not the person being hurt; it can still be scary, but if you can find the courage to say something to a trusted adult for your friend, you could help make their life much safer.
Are you still not sure if you should #tellsomeone?
That’s OK! If you think you, or a friend, is being abused in any way, you can always call the Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868). You don’t have to tell them who you are or anything about yourself, so they can never tell anyone you called them. But they can help you decide if you should tell, and they can help you decide who you should tell.
It is always safe to call Kids Help Phone!
Myths and Facts
MYTH #1: It’s only abuse if it’s violent.
Fact: Physical abuse is just one type of child abuse. Neglect and emotional abuse can be just as damaging, and since they are more subtle, others are less likely to intervene.
MYTH #2: Only bad people abuse their children.
Fact: While it’s easy to say that only “bad people” abuse their children, it’s not always so black and white. Not all abusers are intentionally harming their children. Many have been victims of abuse themselves, and don’t know any other way to parent. Others may be struggling with mental health issues or a substance abuse problem.
MYTH #3: Child abuse doesn’t happen in “good” families.
Fact: Child abuse doesn’t only happen in poor families or bad neighborhoods. It crosses all racial, economic, and cultural lines. Sometimes, families who seem to have it all from the outside are hiding a different story behind closed doors.
MYTH #4: Most child abusers are strangers.
Fact: While abuse by strangers does happen, most abusers are family members or others close to the family.
MYTH #5: Abused children always grow up to be abusers.
Fact: It is true that abused children are more likely to repeat the cycle as adults, unconsciously repeating what they experienced as children. On the other hand, many adult survivors of child abuse have a strong motivation to protect their children against what they went through and become excellent parents.
Source: helpguide.org
A Stolen Fairytale
Written and Directed by Ashley Martinez
Narrated by Nicola Taylor
Signs of Child Abuse and Neglect
*Presence of the following characteristics in a child or youth are indicative, but not definitive, signs of abuse. Contact your local Children’s Aid Society (CAS) if you are ever concerned by the presentation of these characteristics in a child or youth.*
Physical Abuse
- Child’s Appearance: bruises, welts, burns, fractures, human bite marks.
- Child’s Behaviour: wary of physical contact with adults, apprehensive when other children cry, seems afraid of adults, reports injury by parents or caretaker.
- Caretaker’s Behaviour: seems unconcerned about the child, history of abuse as child, uses harsh discipline.
Neglect
- Child’s Appearance: consistently dirty and/or unkempt, hungry, inappropriately dressed, always tired, unattended physical problems, frequently absent from school, left unsupervised for long periods of time.
- Child’s Behaviour: engages in delinquent acts, begs, steals, rarely attends school.
- Caretaker’s Behaviour: misuses alcohol or other drugs, maintains chaotic home life, has long-term chronic illness, has history of neglect as a child.
Emotional Abuse
- Child’s Appearance: emotional maltreatment can be indicated by behaviours of the child and caretaker.
- Child’s Behaviour: passive undemanding, extremely aggressive, demanding, attempts suicide, lags in physical, emotional and intellectual development.
- Caretaker’s Behaviour: blames or belittles child, cold and rejecting, withholds love, treats siblings unequally.
Sexual Abuse
- Child’s Appearance: torn, strained or bloody underclothing, signs and symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
- Child’s Behaviour: poor peer relationships, unwilling to participate in physical activities, unusual interest or knowledge of sexual matters.
- Caretaker’s Behaviour: extremely protective or jealous of child, was sexually abused as a child, experiencing marital difficulty.
#TELLSOMEONE 