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Term Definitions & resources
What is Child Abuse?
Child abuse refers to any form of physical, psychological, social, emotional or sexual maltreatment of a child whereby the survival, safety, self-esteem, growth and development of the child are endangered.
What is Sexual Abuse?
Sexual Abuse occurs when a caregiver, other child, youth, or adult sexually molests or uses a child for sexual purposes. Sexual abuse also includes someone who knowingly fails to protect a child from sexual abuse. Some examples of sexual abuse include:
- Any sexual act between a adult and a child including sexual intercourse
- Fondling (the act of touching a child in a sexual manner)
- Engaging a child in prostitution or pornography
- Exposing a child to adult sexual activity
- Non-contact sexual activities such as: sexual comments to a child or adolescent, exposing intimate body parts, having a sexual fixation on a child’s body parts, making sexually related phone calls, and engaging in sexually related correspondence through the Internet
(Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services, 2010; The Department of Justice Canada, 2011)
What is Physical Abuse?
Physical Abuse includes anything that a parent, caregiver, or person who has responsibility for a child does to a child that causes physical injury; or the failure of a caregiver to adequately supervise a child. Some examples of physical abuse include:
• Slapping
• Burning
• Hitting
• Throwing
• Beating
• Shaking
• Biting
• Bruising
• Bone fractures
These forms of injury are considered abuse whether or not the parent or caregiver intended to harm the child. (Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services, 2010)
What is Internet Luring?
Internet Luring refers to the use of the internet to communicate with a child with the intent to lure the child for sexual purposes or for the intent of abduction. Warnings signs a child may show include:
- Spending extensive amounts of time on the internet
- Closing internet windows when someone enters the room
- Unwilling to give information about what they are doing on the internet
- Claiming to be doing homework on the computer but are falling behind in school
- New long-distance charges on the phone bill from unidentifiable numbers
- Pictures of unidentified people on their computer
To protect your child from internet luring, tell them that they should never agree to meet with someone they have only met online, that they should not give out identifying information over the internet, they should not post pictures of themselves on the internet or send pictures of themselves on a cell phone, and to never respond to sexually suggestive comments from people over the internet.
(Public Safety Canada, 2010; Victims of Violence, 2011)
What is a Witness to Violence?
Witness to Violence refers to an instance where a child witnesses a violent act. This often refer to the witnessing of domestic violence episodes between caregivers or the witnessing of harm inflicted on a sibling by a caregiver or other family member.
What is Age of Consent?
The age of consent refers to the age that a person can consent to sexual activity. Age of consent is generally 16 years old with exceptions. The age of consent is based on the age of the child and the other person’s relationship to the child.
| Child’s Age | Can child consent? |
| Under 12 | No. No person under 12 is able to consent to sexual activity. |
| Between 12-13 | Sometimes, if the age difference is less than 2 years. |
| Between 14-15 | Sometimes, if the age difference is less than 5 years. |
| 16 or older | Sometimes, but there are exceptions i.e. other person is in a position of trust and depending if the relationship is exploitative. |
| 18 and older | Yes. |
No matter how old the case is, there is no statue of limitations for child abuse cases so an investigation can be started years later.
Staying Safe Resources
Cell Phone Safety
Cell phones are great for messaging and calling friends, keeping up to date on social media, listening to music, and capturing some of life’s greatest moments in pictures or video. But, along with these benefits there are a number of serious risks.
Tips to Stay Safe on the Internet
The internet can be great for help with schoolwork, watching videos, playing games, and chatting with friends. But, there are some serious risks too! Here are some tips that all kids and teens should know about surfing the net.
Healthy Relationships
All relationships have challenges. It is how we deal with these challenges that make our relationships healthy or unhealthy! Are your relationships healthy?
Be Smart, Strong & Safe
Through a number of fun and interesting activities, this booklet will help children ages 11 & up learn how to identify inappropriate behavior and how to talk to a safe adult when something makes them feel uncomfortable.
Niagara Region Resources
Child Abuse Unit (CAU) of Niagara Regional Police Service
The Child Abuse Unit (CAU) is a centralized unit that services the entire Region of Niagara. The CAU works closely with Family and Children’s Services Niagara and the Child Advocacy Centre of Niagara.
Sexual Assault Domestic Violence Treatment Program
The Sexual Assault Domestic Violence Treatment Program is available through the Niagara Health System.
Coalition to End Violence Against Women (CEVAW)
CEVAW is a group of organizations within the Niagara Region who have come together to help end violence against women.
Partners to End Child Abuse Niagara
PECAN is group of local agencies that want to make it easier for people to find help in addressing potential or actual instances of child abuse. Visit Website.
