Keeping Children Safe
Any person being aware of, or having knowledge of, or even suspecting a child of being in an unsafe or abusive situation has the legal duty to report the situation.
Call 310-1234 – no area code is required. This is a free 24 hour helpline.
What is Abuse?
As public awareness of the subject of child abuse has grown, so have the numbers of reported and confirmed cases. The following definitions are adapted from B.C.’s child protection legislation, the Child, Family and Community Service Act
When a child comes to you
Sometimes, a child who is being abused will tell an adult. If this happens to you:
The best way to protect a child from abuse is to have a good, open relationship with them. That means spending time with them, letting them know you care and, above all, listening to what they have to say.
It’s important that they understand that they can talk to you about anything – no matter how disturbing or uncomfortable.
You can encourage children’s positive self-esteem and self-worth by:
Make sure they know the difference between good touching (like a pat on the back or a quick hug for something done well) and bad touching, which is any touching that makes a child uncomfortable.
Be sure they know it is okay to say “no” to an older person – even if that person is someone they know and trust. Because the tragic truth is, most children who are abused are victims of people they know.
Never shake a child – it’s one of the most dangerous things a parent or caregiver can do. Shaking a baby or young child can cause brain damage, blindness and even death.
Brainstorm activity ideas which teach children safety.