Types of Abuse:
Physial
Mental/emotional: a pattern of malicious behaviour
Sexual: sexual activity with an individual who does not consent, can not resit or is fearful of retribution
Negligence: Failure to provide the necessities of life.
Exploitation: personal profit at the expense of other person. Forcing someone to do something against their will.

2) Vulnerable Individuals

Definition: A vulnerable individual is someone who finds it difficult or impossible to:
1) Tell others what they need or want
2) Find out what their rights are
3) Have their rights & wishes respected.

Which groups are considered vulnerable?
1)Children
2)Women
3)Minority groups
4)People with physical or development disabilities
5)Elderly
6)People living in rural locations.

3) Behavioural Indicators of Abuse

A) What are some behavioural indicators of sexual abuse?

In the child
Copying sexual behaviour of adult. Knowing more about sex than expected. Details of sex in child's writing/drawing. Inappropriate sexual actions with other children, or adults. Fears or refuses to go to a parent, relative or friend. Does not trust others. Inexplicable changes in personality. Problems sleeping. Demanding of affection, attention. Regress. Shows fear or refuses to undress.

In the abuser
Over protective of child. Often alone with child. Jealous of child's relationships with others. Views child as "sexy". Touches child in sexual ways. Uses drugs/alcohol to loosen up. Allows or tries to get child to participate in sexual behaviours.

B) What are some behavioural indicators of mental/emotional abuse?

In the child
Withdrawn, aggressive. Regress. Excessively good, polite. Low sef-esteem. Tries to hurt oneself. Has unrealistic expectations. Runs away. Has many adult responsibilities. Does not get along well with other children. Discloses abuse.

In the abuser
Rejects, criticizes child in front of others. Is not affectionate with child. Blames child for things that are wrong in their life. View child as different from other members of family and other children. Child is compared to unlikeable others. Not attentive to the child's needs. Isolates the child. Provides a poor example on how to behave with others. Uses child to make money. Terrorizes child.

C) What are some behavioural indicators of domestic violence, (physical abuse)?

In the child
Agressive/temper tantrums. Withdrawn, depressed, nervous. Acts out what has been seen/heard. Problems sleeping. Bed-wetting. Tries to hurt oneself. Problems at school. Stays close to home or is out of the home frequently. Takes job of protecting family members. May act out sexually, join a gang, break the law.

In the abuser
Uses drugs/alcohol. Believes men have power. Isolates thier victims. Has trouble getting along with others. Abuser insults, blames, critizes in front of others. Forces child to watch violent acts. Asks child to do more than they can co.

4) Dealing with the parents and familes of victims of sexual abuse.

1) Remember that this is a very emotional time for parents.
2) Be respectful of the parents and their rights.
3) Be honest: don't make any promises you can't keep.
4) Maintain confidentiality.
5) Be prepared to provide information for the parents about child development, support etc.

5) Reporting Child Abuse

a) Who has the professional duty to report abuse?
The Family Services Act "72.(3) Despite the provision of any other Act, a person referred to in subsection (4) who, in the course of his or her professional or offical duties, has reasonable grounds to suspect that a child is or may be suffering or may have suffered abuse shall forthwith report the suspicion and the information on which it is based to a soeiety."
Any person who preforms professional or offical duties with respect to a child must report.

b)How does reporting abuse affect the issue of professional confidentiality?
Alerting about abuse overrides the confidentiality. The only exception to this is solicitor/client privilege.

c) Is there peraonal liability?
All persons make a report of suspected child abuse to a Children's Aid society are protected against a civil action, unless that person is proven to have acted "... maliciously or without reasonable grounds for the belief or suspicion..." (C.F.S.A. 72(7))

6) Abuse of Vulnerable Individuals

A) Individuals with Disabilities:
There are several factors that put individuals with disabilities at higher risk of mistreatment. These factors are:
1) Family structure:there is a higher risk of abuse in families that are divorced, single parents, steps, blended families.
2) Cultural background: some cultures are more tolerant of physical punishment.
3) Socioeconomic status: higher risk of abuse if the person comes from lower income family, creates more stress
4) Geographic location: isolation provides less support, dangerous.
5) Nature of exceptionality: Some exceptionalities have the potential to create more stress and frustration in the caregivers.
6) Families heatlh: if the caregiver is experiencing failing heatlh, it can trigger neglect or abuse.
7) Coping styles: poor problem solving skills, lack of anger management and income increase potential for abuse ie your breaking point.

B) Factors that put children with disabilities at higher risk of mistreatment.

1) Exceptionality itself: some disabilities create more frustration than others. eg autism, behaviour concerns, this places the child more at risk.
2) Defense: may not be able to physically and/or verbally defend themselves.
3) Articulation: can't explain the abuse that is occurring, may not nave the means to be verbal.
4) Dependence: the child being dependent on the cargiver is fearful of turning the abuser in and increasing possibility of retaliation or escalation of abuse.
5) Differentiation skills: may not have the cognitive skills to differentiate between acceptable and unacceptable behaviour.
6) Credibility issues: children with disabilities may be less credible then those without disabilities.

C) Reducing the risk of abuse.

1) Police Checks
2) Being alert of signs/symptons of abuse
3) Teaching knowledge and awareness.

D) Women with disbilities

Findings from the Ministry of Community and Social Services' and the Toronto Police Force survey.
Question: Have you ever been physically or sexually abused? Non-disabled women 44% Disabled women 67%. Were you ever sexually abused as a child? Non-disabled women 34% Disabled women 50%. Were you ever sexually assaulted as an adult? Non-disabled women 23% Disabled women 31%

a) Where are assaults more likely to occur?
at home

b) Who are the most likely abusers?
Principle caregivers

c) What are the consequences of assualt for women with disabilities?
1)More difficult recovery period: b/c they are dependent on others and also their disability isolates them, what chance to they have of speaking with otherss who have survived the same thing? No adequate counselling.
2)Defense/escape more difficult: Physical means to escape more difficult, you want to make a quick get a way, how is this possible, no transportation. May be financially dependent upon abuser, may have difficulty finding support that is acessible.
3)Higher risk of loss of custody: if they escape the abusive siuation and there are children involved, authorities may now question her ability to care for them, and custody may be jeopardized.
4)Trigger severe physical reaction: the abuse and/or sudden change (stress) can bring on insulin shock, seizure activity, spasms, speach problems.

d) What is the percentage of reported rape cases?
20%

e) Why is the reported percentage of rape cases so much lower than the indicent rate?
1) Credibility: women with developmental disabilities and/or communication difficulities are very rarely believed.
2) Public perception: the public believe that women with disabilities can't and are not abused.