Maltreatment and Prevention
TRAINING OBJECTIVE
Empower Rainbow girls and leaders to make informed decisions and ensure safety by:
- Understanding different types of abuse and their consequences
- Learning about prevention
- Exploring options for positive interactions
CHILD MALTREATMENT OVERVIEW- Definitions
- Consequences
- Indicators
- Myths
- Prevention
SPECIFIC TYPES OF MALTREATMENT
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Neglect
- Harassment
- Bullying
- Cyberbullying
- Hazing
CONSEQUENCES
Internalized
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Substance Abuse
- Poor School or Work Experience
- Physical Health
- Victimization
Externalized
- Aggression
- Bullying
- Fighting
- Relationship Abuse
- Vandalism or Other Property Destruction
- Child or Pet Abuse
INDICATORS
- Patterns of bruises or injuries
- Frequent "accidents"
- Sudden weight gain or loss
- Behavioral changes include:
* withdrawing from friends or activities
* changes in temperament or mood
* depression and/or anxiety
* learning problems
* overly compliant or adaptive
* extreme aggression
* inappropriate behaviors
MYTHS
- Abuse doesn't happen to anyone we know
- Offenders look shady or unusual
- Abuse only happens in lower class families
- Children usually tell if they're being abused
- Children do things to cause abuse to occur
- It's only abuse if you mean to do harm
- Strangers are responsible for most child sexual abuse
- Molesters are easy to identify
PREVENTION
- Training/Awareness
- Protective Factors
- Code of Conduct and Youth Protection Policy
- Risk Assessment
- Monitoring and Assessing
- Screening and Selection of Adult Leaders
- Responding and Reporting
PROTECTIVE FACTORS
- Freedom of Fear
- Supportive Community
- Praise
- Hope
- Tolerance
- Empowerment
- Advocacy
CONTINUUM OF BEHAVIORS
- Appropriate
- Inappropriate
- Harmful Behaviors
WHAT TO DO
To Keep Safe Space
- Be familiar with the IORG Youth Protection Policy and Code of Conduct
- Have clear goals and plans for Rainbow activities
- Be mindful of safety considerations and boundaries
If You Observe Abuse
- Report to Rainbow Leadership at any time you have a concern
- Refer to IORG Youth Protection Policy for reporting guidelines
- If you have been the victim of abuse, speak with a trusted adult
RESOURCES
For crisis or referral information, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Contact Childhelp:
(800) 4-A-CHILD
(800) 422-4453