Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Eden Whitehead
abuse include unusual or repetitive burn marks, linear marks on the body, bruises in
multiple stages of healing, and lacerations on multiple parts of the body (Click, Karkos,
• Physical Neglect: when a child is not provided with adequate necessary care. Warning
signs of physical neglect can include unsanitary conditions in the home, inadequate
nutrition, improper clothing for the weather, or a lack of proper medical care (Click et al.,
2014).
negative response, or family discord. Warning signs of emotional abuse can include
• Emotional Deprivation: when parents fail to do that which is necessary to help a child
feel loved, wanted, and secure. Warnings signs of emotional deprivation include the child
refusing food, the child being unable to do typical developmental tasks, exaggerated
• Sexual Abuse: when there is any sexual activity between a child and an adult. Warning
signs of sexual abuse can include bruising around the genitals, a child showing unusual
2) In Alberta, Canada, child abuse is defined as, “any act of maltreatment of a child by a parent
or guardian that results in injury or harm” (Government of Canada, 2017, par. 1). In Alberta,
3) There are specific circumstances under which abuse is more likely to occur. Some of these
include:
• When parents were abused as children themselves (Click et al., 2014). If parents don’t
have appropriate ideas or references on how to treat children, they may lack the
• When parents are isolated from the community or their family (Click et al., 2014). When
parents feel alone, stress builds up at an alarming rate. It becomes harder to control
negative emotions when you feel like you are the only one you can rely on.
• When parents use drugs or are alcoholics (Click et al., 2014). Drugs and alcohol impair
judgement. Parents may be more likely to harm their children when their judgement is
impaired.
• When parents have low self-esteem (Click et al., 2014). Parents may try to make
themselves feel more powerful by exerting dominance over their children in unhealthy
ways.
• When parents have unrealistic expectations about children’s behaviors (Click et al.,
2014). If parents are uneducated about what is developmentally appropriate for children,
they may place heavy strain on their children to perform and become irritated when
4) Program administrators can help alleviate stressors that may lead to parents abusing their
• Educating parents about child development and what is normal and appropriate for the
• Model for parents how to appropriately and effectively interact with their children both in
• Create a parent support group where parents can meet with each other, and child care is
provided, so they can be away from their children for a short time and connect with
• Help connect parents with community resources for families that might provide families
5) In order to assist my staff in being able to identify, process, and report child abuse, I will
• First, I will ensure that my staff members know and are trained in the warning signs of
child abuse. This training will be provided free of charge to staff by the administrator
and will come from reputable sources such as the Darkness to Light program, or other
similar entities. These trainings will happen on a periodic basis so that staff can always
• Second, when abuse is suspected in any way, the staff will know to immediately notify
the program administrator. Together the program administrator and staff member will
document and report the suspected abuse. This will be done to ensure the staff member
feels supported in this decision, and that the program administrator is aware of all the
• Third, the abuse will be reported to the Northern Alberta Child Intervention Services or
reporting will occur the same day that the abuse is suspected to ensure the safety of the
child.
CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION 6
References
Government of Alberta, Alberta Human Services. (2017). Child abuse. Retrieved from
http://www.humanservices.alberta.ca/abuse-bullying/14841.html
Click, P., Karkos, K., & Robertson, C. (2014). Administration of programs for young children