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PROGRESS REPORT ON... child abuse

Shirley Avril

Special Programs Branch
BC Ministry of Education

Diminishing Child Abuse: The Role of the Education System

The school system, kindergarten through grade 12 has a unique opportunity and responsibility to protect children and youth from abuse and sexual exploitation. As the social institution most likely to touch the largest number of children and youth a school can provide the most far reaching prevention education. Educators in close contact with students are among the adults most likely to notice signs of abuse or exploitation.

In the past several years, many educational programs and resources have been designed to diminish child abuse and exploitation. The foundation for including prevention education in classrooms is the provincial curriculum, Personal Planning. Personal Planning curriculum from kindergarten through grade 12 includes learning outcomes that promote awareness and safety as well as self protection skills. Resources which support teachers in elementary and middle schools include: Care Kits; Talk About Touching; Second Step; Lions Quest; and Stranger Danger. To promote general school safety, the Ministry of Education developed an elementary prevention program, Focus on Bullying. A secondary school resource, Focus on Harassment and Intimidation, will be ready in the next school year. Trustees and administrators developed Keeping Schools Safe, a guide for safety strategies and protocols in schools.

In 1998, the BC Handbook for Action on Child Abuse and Neglect, replaced the 1988 handbook and provided significantly more information on responsibilities and options for educators when there are signs of child abuse or neglect. The partner agreement, Trilateral Protocol Agreement on Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect, provides the protocols for RCMP, Ministry of Children and Families, and School Districts. Included are procedures to be taken to protect students when young offenders return to school.

Two individuals from each school district have received government sponsored training related to the BC Handbook for Action on Child Abuse and Neglect. Using a train-the-trainer model, these individuals share information on new procedures and reporting requirement with their district colleagues.

Support materials in development include: A Guide for School Personnel Responding to Child Abuse; Supporting Our Students: Resource for School Personnel Responding to Child Abuse; Responding to Children's Problem Sexual Behavior in Elementary Schools: A Resource for Educators; Being Aware, Taking Care: An Awareness Resource for Preventing Sexual Exploitation and Missing, And internet safety CD ROM for students, teachers and parents.

Knowledge about clinical conditions that impact child behavior and related areas, such as child abuse, is constantly expanding. The future needs related to child abuse and neglect include knowledge and resources to recognize early signs of mental illness and develop appropriate educational responses. Creating a classroom climate that values diversity and is flexible enough to integrate differences is key to supporting all students. Further, new research is needed in the psychological experience of violence and conditions that support resiliency.

Ministry of Education contacts:
Shirley Avril 356-0310
Diane Pollard 356-8367
(Area code 250 in Victoria)