Detecting and Preventing Child Abuse

Course Description:

The main objective of this session is to help you understand the importance of recognizing and preventing child abuse. By the time this session is over, you should be able to understand and identify the different types of child abuse, recognize indicators of abuse, know how to interview a child to find out if he or she is experiencing some area of abuse, and know how and when to report suspected child abuse.

Why “Detecting and Preventing Child Abuse” Matters:

• Child abuse is a concern to everyone.
• There are many different types and effects of child abuse, so it is important to know the signs of it and how to react.

Key Points:

• Child abuse takes many forms, including physical abuse, sexual contact, and emotional or psychological mistreatment.
• Abused children generally do not discuss their situation on their own initiative. But you can detect its presence by physical symptoms or chronic behavioral problems.
• If you suspect that a child is being abused, you should discuss it openly with the child.
• If you suspect abuse, you should report it immediately—even if you don’t have any concrete proof.