CONTACT TEACHER
INSTITUTE
SOUTHEAST REGION
November 16, 2011

-
Can Adults do anything they please to Children?
- Should someone hurt a child and get away with it?
-Are children just as important as adults in our schools?....
In our Country?

 The Child Care and Protection Act
 The Child Development Agency
 The Child Advocate
 The Children’s Registry
 The National Plan of Action for
Children
 The Early Childhood Commission

 Approved March, 11 2004
 Signed into Law by Governor General March
25,2004
 Strengthens Care and protection of children
 New Standards for their treatment
 Provision of New Laws
 Non – discrimination- all children have the same right to develop their potential

 Office of Children’s Advocate
 Central Registry
 Standard principles
 Parental Responsibility for the reports of abuses
 Increased penalties for abuses
 Increased penalties for the violations of the rights

Under the law persons 0-18years.
Special attention to those:
 In need of care and protection( danger of being abused, neglected or abused)
 In conflict with the Law
 Afflicted with disabilities
 Living with HIV/AIDS

 40 Articles which includes –
 Rights to Basic Health Care
 Protection from abuse and neglect
 Right to Education, Leisure, Cultural activities
 Civil Rights and freedom such as self expression

 Embraces concept of best interest of the child
 Recognizes importance of family unit
 Recognizes special needs of children in conflict with the law

OFFENCES against children includes
 Physical Abuse
 Sexual/ Carnal Abuse
 Child Labour
 Aggravated assault and murder
 Failure to report suspected abuse
 Violations of terms of licenses
 Trafficking

PHYSICAL SIGNS OF CHILD ABUSE
Physical Abuse
 Unexplained bruises and welts
 Unexplained burns
 Intake of harmful drugs
 Human bite marks
 Head Injuries
 Fractures
Physical Neglect
 Consistent hunger
 Poor Hygiene
 Failure to thrive
 Consistent lack of supervision
 Untreated cuts , sores or illnesses
 Dehydration
 Abandonment

Sexual Abuse
 Torn , stained or bloody clothing
 Difficulty walking and sitting
 Pain or itching in genital areas
 Sexually transmitted infections
 Pregnancy
General



Change in appetite
Headaches
Nausea and diarrhoea

 Fear of adult contact
 Inability to concentrate
 Denial
 Repelled by physical touch
 Frequent absence from school
 Sudden drop in performance in school
 Constant tiredness
 Substance Abuse
 Begging or stealing food

 Nervousness
 Hostility
 Anger
 Depression
 Withdrawn
 Outbursts of Crying

Increased PENALTIES for Offences
 Cruelty to children up from $50 to
$1million
 Failure to report cases of abuse, neglect or abandonment of children
 Trafficking
 Failure to report suspicion of child abuse

 $ 1 m or 12 months in prison
 Serious offences ( carnal abuse and murder) – Harsh penalties which includes Capital and non capital punishment

 Attracts a fine of up to $500,000 or 6 months hard labour

 Maximum penalty for not making a
report - $500,000 or 6 months
 Report must be made without delay
 False report - maximum penalty of
$250,000 or 3 months

 An offence to publish report of any child’s court proceedings which reveal details leading to identification
 Maximum penalty $1m or 12 months.

OPERATIONS OF CHILDREN’S
REGISTRY
 Registrar bound by law to asses information given or faces up to
$250,000 or 3 months

ROLE AND FUNCTION OF THE
TEACHER- Our Responsibilities
 Provide care- basic survival need such as food, clothing and shelter
 Education
 Prevent abuse in all forms ( physical, sexual, emotional)
 Report suspected cases of abuse
 Prevent Child labour
 Seek assistance from the state where needed

Never……
 leave class unattended
 Ignore students
 Disregard dramatic change students’ behaviour
 Scold a child who complains of being sexually molested.

Always
 Teach children to shout or scream for help when in danger.
 Teach students to run away from persons who are acting suspiciously
 Teach them to say no to strangers offering goodies and car rides
 Pay attention when children confides in you
 Teach them to speak out when someone touches them in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable .

 Treat children fair
 Do not discriminate
 Be careful and refrain from calling them names
 If at all possible avoid corporal punishment
 Use positive and not negative reinforcement
 Adhere to Principle 1 in the Code of Ethics which speaks to our relation to Students