Report to Classis
May,
2006
Dear Classis Delegates,
We continue to receive enquiries from churches seeking advice and support in developing and implementing abuse prevention/child safety policies. We also recently received a request to help start Safe Church Teams in another reformed denomination where no abuse response teams currently exist.
For this report, we will examine two questions — what is child abuse and what should you do if you suspect child abuse?
The Department of Justice Canada
(www.justice.gc.ca/en/ps/fm/childafs.html)
states the following on their website:
The term "child abuse" refers to the violence, mistreatment or
neglect that a child or adolescent may experience while in the care of
someone they either trust or depend on, such as a parent, sibling, other
relative, caregiver or guardian. Abuse may take place anywhere and may occur,
for example, within the child's home or that of someone known to the child.
There are many different forms of
abuse and a child may be subjected to more than one form:
Physical abuse may consist of just one incident or it
may happen repeatedly. It involves deliberately using force against a child
in such a way that the child is either injured or is at risk of being
injured. Physical abuse includes beating, hitting, shaking, pushing,
choking, biting, burning, kicking or assaulting a child with a weapon. It
also includes holding a child under water, or any other dangerous or harmful
use of force or restraint. Assault and unlawful confinement are criminal
offences in
Sexual abuse and
exploitation involves
using a child for sexual purposes. Examples of child sexual abuse include
fondling, inviting a child to touch or be touched sexually, intercourse,
rape, incest, sodomy, exhibitionism, or involving a child in prostitution or
pornography. Child sexual assault and sexual exploitation are criminal
offences in
Neglect is often chronic, and it usually involves
repeated incidents. It involves failing to provide what a child needs for his
or her physical, psychological or emotional development and well being.
For example, neglect includes failing to provide a child with food, clothing,
shelter, cleanliness, medical care or protection from harm. Emotional neglect
includes failing to provide a child with love, safety, and a sense of worth.
Failing to provide the necessaries of life, such as
food or medical treatment, is a criminal offence in
Emotional abuse involves harming a child's sense of
self. It includes acts (or omissions) that result in, or place a child
at risk of, serious behavioural, cognitive, emotional or mental health
problems. For example, emotional abuse may include verbal threats, social
isolation, intimidation, exploitation, or routinely making unreasonable demands.
It also includes terrorizing a child, or exposing them to family violence.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU SUSPECT CHILD
ABUSE?
The
Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence, an interreligious
educational ministry out of
- To protect the child from further abuse;
- To stop the offender’s abuse; and
- To heal the victims brokenness and, if possible restore the family, or if not possible, to mourn the loss of family relationships
Anyone may report suspected child abuse and will not be liable for an unfounded report if it is made in good faith.
In every province, persons in helping professions — teachers, doctors, counselors, police officers, social workers, health professionals — are legally mandated to report a suspicion of child abuse or neglect to child abuse authorities.
Church leaders should not try to gather detailed evidence from the person who discloses. The children’s protective agency will investigate and determine the level of risk to the child.
If you suspect child abuse, call the children’s protective agency in your area to discuss your concerns or to make a formal report regarding your fear about the welfare of a child or teenager.
“I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live …” Deuteronomy 30:19, NIV
In
His Service,
John Gilson,
classishamilton@bfree.on.ca