Here is information about child abuse. Here are also the signs of child abuse in children aged 0-4 years and a step-by-step diagram.
Child abuse:
Child abuse is terrible. And it should not be allowed to take place unnoticed and undisturbed. It is a fact that more and more children are staying in some form of childcare for a longer or shorter period of time. Teachers will therefore increasingly come into contact with children who may be mistreated or abused. The child does not directly say that he or she is being neglected, mistreated or abused. Young children don’t even know those words. The adults and the child in question do not talk about it. In their behavior, children express the consequences of what is done to them. A good listener must be open to these signals, be able to interpret them and know what can be done for the child and the family. More and more leaders will feel the need to be informed and trained on this subject. Cooperation and further training are a good basis for combating child abuse.
The children’s telephone:
If you are abused, neglected or abused, you can always call the child hotline. You can call the children’s telephone every time from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. You do not have to give your name if you do not want to.
Forms of child abuse
Physical abuse:
Physical abuse occurs when caregivers injure the child. Examples: the caregiver hits and kicks the child, the caregiver burns the child with a cigarette, biting, cutting, forcing to ingest harmful substances.
Physical Neglect:
The caregiver is unable or unwilling to provide minimal care for a child’s physical needs in one or more areas: food, clothing, shelter, visits to the doctor and/or dentist, hygiene. Examples: the caregiver regularly does not provide food for the children, the child is dirty and has (long-term and regular) lice, the caregiver does not provide a suitable place to sleep for the child. The child always comes with dirty diapers and has severe diaper rash, the child needs medication, but the caregivers do not ensure that the child receives them regularly, a child is left alone for many hours at night.
Emotional neglect:
Denying warmth, attention, respect, contact, never even hugging.
Sexual abuse:
The caregiver has, attempts to have, or allows the child to have sexual contact with the child, to gratify the sexual feelings of the caregiver involved and/or for financial gain. Examples: the caregiver shows the child pornographic material, the caregiver engages the child in mutual masturbation, the caregiver rapes the child.
The signs of child abuse (0-4 years)
Physical well-being:
- bruises, burns, broken bones, cuts, scratches and bite wounds
- growth retardation
- nutritional problems
- severe diaper rash
- poorly maintained teeth
- child stinks, regularly wears dirty clothes
- overtired
- often sick
- diseases recover poorly
- child is hungry
- lagging motor skills
- not toilet trained at the age it should be
Child’s behavior:
- little spontaneous
- passive, listless, little interest in play
- apathetic, shows no feelings or pain
- introverted, lives in a fantasy world
- labile
- very nervous
- hyperactive
- negative self-image, little self-confidence, fear of failure
- negative body image
- aggressive, destructive
towards other children:
- aggressive
- plays little with other children
- distrustful
- not liked by other children
to parents:
- anxious, skittish, watchful
- compliant, docile
- behaves differently in the presence of parents than without parents
Towards other adults:
- fear of undressing
- fear of physical examination
- stiffens upon physical contact
- anxious, skittish, watchful
- compliant, docile
- aggressive
- overly affectionate
- distrustful
- avoids eye contact
Other:
- sudden change in behavior
- does not act his age
- language and speech disorders
Parent behavior:
- indifferent about the well-being of the child
- regularly makes negative comments about the child
- does not comfort the child
- indicates that he can no longer cope
- is addicted
- is seriously (mentally) ill
- dress the child too warmly or too coldly
- regularly cancels appointments
- forget preventive vaccinations
- often keeps the child home from school
- has unrealistic expectations of the child
- puts pressure on the child to perform
Family situation:
- combination of stressful circumstances, such as poor housing, financial problems and relationship problems
- social isolation
- single parent
- partner abuse
- family moved regularly
- poor overall hygiene
Signs specific to sexual abuse:
Physical well-being:
- injuries to genital organs
- vaginal infections and discharge
- itching in vagina or anus
- pain in thighs
- pain when walking or sitting
- problems urinating
- urinary tract infections
- sexually transmitted diseases
Child’s behavior:
- presses legs together when walking or picking up
- aversion to physical contact
- appears absent on physical examination
- extremely sexual behavior and language
Steps diagram
Phase 1: The leader has a suspicion
- Observe and record
- Research into substantiation
- Report observations to caregiver(s)
Responsibility of the leader
Phase 2: The leader discusses the substantiated suspicion in a consultation group
- Discuss information
- (Possibly) additional information
- Plan of approach
Responsibility of the teacher and manager
Phase 3: Implementing an action plan
- Consult Safe at Home
- Talking to caregiver(s)
- (Possibly) talk to the child
- Discussing the results
Responsibility of the manager
Phase 4: Decision
- The suspicions have not been confirmed after consultation with those involved
- After discussions with caregiver(s), it is clear that caregiver(s) are also concerned
- After consultation with caregiver(s), serious doubts remain
- The suspicion of child abuse appears to be well-founded after the conversation with the caregiver(s).
- A crisis situation arises
Responsibility of the (designated responsible person in) consultation group
Phase 5: Acting:
- If the suspicions have not been confirmed after consultation with those involved: destroy the work notes and close the case
- If after a conversation(s) with caregiver(s) it is clear that the caregiver(s) are also concerned, refer the caregiver(s)
- If serious doubts remain after consultation with caregiver(s), agree on an additional observation period
- If the suspicion of child abuse appears to be justified after the conversation with the caregiver(s), a report will be made to Veilig Thuis
- When a crisis situation arises, it is reported to:
- police or
- crisis service Youth Care Office
Responsibility of the (designated responsible person in) consultation group
Phase 6: Evaluation:
- Evaluate the process and procedure
- Adjust agreements if necessary
- Register
Responsibility of the (designated responsible person in) consultation group
Phase 7: Aftercare:
- Stay alert to the child’s well-being
- Continue to report signals and concerns to Veilig Thuis
Responsibility of the (designated responsible person in) consultation group