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Family Violence: FAQ
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If you have a question you would like to ask one of our criminal justice educators about this topic or any of the lessons presented here feel free to contact us.
Questions
1) Whose responsibility is it to report suspected child abuse?
2) Are schools required to allow the investigating team on the school premises to interview a child?
3) Should the administrator or other school personnel sit in on the interview?
4) Whose responsibility is it to notify the child's parents of the interview? When should this occur?
5) Do Children's Services caseworkers have ongoing access to a child at school?
6) What is the most common type of maltreatment?
7) Who are the child victims?
8) Now that disclosure has been made, what signs should I watch for, or be aware of, in the child victim to understand how they are coping with the trauma?
Answers
1) Whose responsibility is it to report suspected child abuse?
answer:
Anyone who becomes aware of a child abuse situation is required to make a report to the police or a Children's Services caseworker. It is mandatory for ALL school personnel to report every situation where it is believed a child has been, or is at risk of being, neglected or abused. The obligation to report is not fulfilled until the individual has reported directly to a Children's Services caseworker.
No person needs permission from a principal or administrator before reporting, nor may anyone direct someone not to report.
2) Are schools required to allow the investigating team on the school premises to interview a child?
answer:
School personnel are expect to cooperate when an investigating team asks to interview a child on school premises. If appropriate, the team will give the principal advance notice of the need to visit the school and conduct the interview on the premises. The interview must be conducted in a way that minimizes school activity disruption.
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3) Should the administrator or other school personnel sit in on the interview?
answer:
Interviews should be conducted in private unless a child specifically asks someone to stay for support. A principal may ask if the child would like someone present, but should respect the child's answer. No school policy can require a school member to be present during the interview.
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4) Whose responsibility is it to notify the child's parents of the interview? When should this occur?
answer:
The investigating team is responsible for deciding when to notify parents or guardians. If a child is held after school hours, the investigating team informs the parents/guardians of the child's whereabouts and takes the child home if necessary. The school should NOT notify the parents/guardians prior to the interview or request interview permission.
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5) Do Children's Services caseworkers have ongoing access to a child at school?
answer:
The Children's Services casework considers the needs of both the student and the school when considering access issues. Generally, Children's Services caseworkers are not to use school premises for ongoing case interviews. If a worker needs access to a student during school hours, appropriate arrangements will be made after discussing the situation with the principal.
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6) What is the most common type of maltreatment?
answer:
Neglect is the most common form of child maltreatment. According to the Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect, in 2003 the most common forms of confirmed child abuse in Canada were:
- 30% Neglect
- 28% Exposure to violence
- 24% Physical abuse
- 15% Emotional abuse
- 3% Sexual abuse
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7) Who are the child victims?
answer:
According to a 2002 study, more children under five live in an environment with domestic violence than any other age group in Canada. A U.S. study from 1997 showed that more than half of children confirmed as victims were 7 years old or younger, and one-quarter were younger than 4 years old. The same study showed that 22% of victims were aged 8 to 11, 25% were youth aged 12 to 18. A great proportion of neglect and medical neglect victims were children younger than 8, while a greater proportion of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse victims were aged 8 or older.
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8) Now that disclosure has been made, what signs should I watch for, or be aware of, in the child victim to understand how they are coping with the trauma?
answer:
Each child will respond differently to the trauma that has occurred. Caregivers can expect a variety of reactions from virtually no change in habits or behaviour to extreme differences.
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References:
Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Sourcebook, edited by Helene Henderson. Omnigraphics, 2000.
Family Violence: It's your Business. Community Resource Guide, Government of Alberta.
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