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Our increasing knowledge about the needs of children and the effects of their
social environment on their growth and development is changing what we view
as child abuse. Some practices that were once considered acceptable are now
generally believed to be abusive. Alberta's Child,
Youth and Family Enhancement Act and Canada's Criminal
Code set out in legal terms what behaviours and conditions might be so harmful
that it is necessary to stop them. The following are the main kinds of abuse:
| Physical
Abuse |
Is the intentional use of force
on any part of a child's body that results in serious injuries.
It may be a single incident, a series or pattern of incidents.
The Criminal Code states that physical force cannot be used on
children unless the force used is "reasonable" and has been used
for "corrective purposes" by a parent or someone acting in the
role of parent. |
| Emotional
Abuse |
May take the form of chronic
exposure to alcohol or drug abuse, verbal attacks on a child's
sense of self, repeated humiliation or rejection. Exposure to
violence or severe conflict in the home, forced isolation, restraint
or causing a child to be afraid much of the time may also cause
emotional harm. Emotional abuse rarely happens only once and it is
usually part of a particular way of relating to children. |
| Sexual Abuse |
Is the improper exposure of a
child to sexual contact, activity or behaviour. It includes any
sexual touching, intercourse, exploitation or exposure and can
be perpetuated by anyone, including a parent, relative, friend
or stranger. Sexual abuse of a child is a criminal offence. |
| Neglect |
Is any lack of care that causes serious harm to
a child's development or endangers the child in any way. Physical
neglect is the failure to meet the child's physical needs. This
includes failing to provide adequate nutrition, clothing, shelter,
health care and protection from harm. Emotional neglect is the
failure to meet the child's emotional needs for affection and
a sense of belonging. |
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