OnlineCare Abuse Policy

OnlineCare believes that human beings are created by God in His image. We believe every person, from conception to natural death, possesses inherent dignity and immeasurable worth — including preborn children, elderly individuals, people with diverse abilities, and others marginalized by society. Therefore, we have a spiritual, moral, and legal obligation to provide a safe environment for children, clients, staff, and volunteers participating in programs under the auspices of OnlineCare.

It is our policy to be committed to providing a safe environment for all human beings and to declare a zero-tolerance for abuse, harassment, or neglect of clients and/or their children by any employee or volunteer.

 

The purpose of this policy is to prevent abuse and harm to clients and their children who access OnlineCare services and to protect staff and volunteers from false or wrongful accusations.

 

Definitions of Abuse

Abuse that causes harm is the corrupt, improper practice and maltreatment of human beings physically, emotionally, and sexually. Abuse can involve the misuse of power, which can take place when people take advantage of a position of authority they have over vulnerable people. Vulnerable people include adults or children with physical or cognitive impairments. The definition of abuse includes: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect of children, harassment, and improper touching or discipline of children.

 

Physical Abuse is using physical force or action that results or could result in injury. Sometimes injury is caused by over discipline. Injuring a child or youth is not acceptable, regardless of differing cultural standards on discipline. Bruising, odd burns, jumpy behaviour, may be indications that a child or youth is physically abused.

 

Emotional Abuse is a pattern of hurting a child or adult’s feelings to the point of damaging their self-respect. It includes verbal attacks, insults, humiliation, or rejection. An individual who is emotionally harmed may demonstrate severe anxiety, depression and withdrawal, selfdestructive or aggressive behaviour.

 

 

Sexual Abuse occurs when someone uses a child, youth, or non-consenting adult for sexual stimulation or gratification. 

 

Forms of sexual abuse include the following:

1.     Sexual Activity Completed: Included oral, vaginal, or anal sexual activities.

2.     Sexual Activity Attempted: Included attempts to have oral, vaginal, or anal sexual activities.

3.     Touching or Fondling Genitals: Sexual activity involved touching or fondling genitals.

4.     Adult Exposing Genitals to Child: Sexual activity consisted of exposure to genitals.

5.     Sexual Exploitation – Involved in Prostitution or Pornography: Included situations in which an adult sexually exploited a child for the purposes of financial gain or other profit.

6.     Sexual Harassment: Included proposition, encouragement, or suggestion of a sexual nature.

7.     Voyeurism: Included activities in which a child or individual was encouraged to exhibit himself/herself for the sexual gratification of an alleged perpetrator.

 

Neglect occurs when a child’s parents or other caregivers are not providing the requisites of a child’s emotional, psychological, and physical development. Unlike abuse, which is incident specific, neglect often involves chronic situations that are not as easily identified. All provincial and territorial child welfare statutes include neglect or some type of references to acts of omission as grounds for investigation, which include the following eight subtypes:

 

1.     Failure to supervise or protect leading to physical harm.

2.     Failure to supervise or protect leading to sexual abuse.

3.     Physical neglect of food, clothing, or shelter.

4.     Medical neglect.

5.     Failure to provide treatment for mental emotional or developmental problems.

6.     Permitting maladaptive criminal behaviour. 7. Abandonment/refusal of custody

8. Educational neglect.

It's Your Legal Duty

If you think a child or youth is being abused or neglected, you have the legal duty to report your concern to a child welfare worker (age of majority varies by province., age 18 in AB, MB, ON, PEI, QC, SK, age 19 in BC, NB, NL, NWT, NS, NT, YT).

When to Suspect Abuse

Abused and neglected children almost always show signs of their suffering. Some of the most common signs are listed below.

Remember, these are warning signs. They don't necessarily mean abuse is happening, but the more you see, the more concerned you should be.

Warning signs:

•        Unexplained bruises especially on the face, lower back, thighs, or upper arms

•        Unexplained bruises on an infant

•        Different coloured bruises, indicating they're at different stages of healing

•        Unexplained fractures

•        Constant complaints such as sore throats or stomach aches that have no medical explanation

•        Lack of proper hygiene

•        Clothing inappropriate to weather conditions

•        Torn, stained, or bloody underwear

•        Irritation, bruising, bleeding, pain, or itching near genitals or anus

•        Bruises on breasts, buttocks, or thighs

•        Sudden onset of nightmares, bed wetting, and/or fear of the dark

•        Sudden change in attitude towards someone

•        Expressing sexual knowledge not usual for their age in their language, behaviour, or play

•        Becoming anxious and fearful after being outgoing and friendly

Remember: these are warning signs. They don't necessarily mean abuse is happening. But, especially where one or more sign is noticed in the same child, there's cause for concern. 

Policy Responding to Allegations of Abuse

All allegations of abuse or complaints of abuse must be responded to immediately in an appropriate manner by the Executive Director or executive member of the board of directors. 

 

Procedure

1. The Executive Director of the Christian Advocacy Society should be involved with supporting any staff or volunteers directly involved in reporting alleged incidences of abuse involving clients or clients and their children. The board of directors should be made aware of such allegations. 
2. The board of directors should handle cases of alleged abuse on the part of the Executive Director.
3. The advice of an expert should be obtained whenever necessary.
4. Complete an incident report form.  
5.  Satisfy statutory reporting obligations of child protective agency.
6. Express your organization’s concern for the complainant and assure them of your commitment to assist in investigation as well as conducting your own investigation.
7. Assure of confidentiality of the complainant.
8. Suspend alleged perpetrator.
9. Refrain from admitting liability.
10. Contact the necessary experts or professional required for specific situation.  

Appendix A:

INCIDENT REPORT (Please request an incident report form from your coach or the Program Director)