Consent Law and Family Violence

• The age of consent is generally 16, but raises to 18 if there is a power imbalance.
• Individuals aged 14-15 can consent to sexual activity with someone less than 5 years older than them (minus a day).
• Those aged 12-13 can consent with someone less than 2 years older than them (minus a day).

Child Advocacy Centre

• It offers a secure environment for children and youth who have experienced trauma and abuse.
• It creates a space for them to share their experiences and receive support.
• Support is provided throughout disclosure, investigation, judicial processes, and the healing journey.
• A multidisciplinary team is utilized.
• Sanare is Latin for "Healing."
• A third option exists for rape kits: Keeping it for up to a year, with half held by police and the other half at the Sanare center for support and resources.

Family Violence

• It includes any form of abuse or neglect experienced by a child or adult from a family member or intimate partner.
• It involves an abuse of power to control and harm a trusting and dependent individual.

Risk Factors of Family Violence

• Single-parent family status is a risk factor.
• Poverty or lower economic status increases risk.
• Drug or alcohol dependency can contribute to family violence.
• Other forms of addiction are risk factors.
• A history of family violence is a significant risk factor.
• Learning difficulties or lower cognitive functioning can increase risk.
• Parent emotional health is a factor.
• Isolation can contribute to family violence.
• Being part of a minority group increases risk.
• History of child abuse and neglect is a risk factor.

Neglect

• It can be identified through various observable indicators.

Observable Indicators of Neglect

• Dirty skin.
• Offensive body odor.
• Unwashed, uncombed hair.
• Tattered, undersized, or oversized clothing.
• Unclean clothing.
• Inappropriate clothing for the weather or situation.
• Frequently left unsupervised.

Indicators of Neglect in Infants and Toddlers

• Listlessness.
• Poor responsiveness.
• Lack of smiling, crying, laughing, or playing with others.
• Lack of interest or curiosity.
• Not turning to a parent for help or comfort.

Indicators of Neglect in Children and Youth

• Crying easily when hurt.
• Not having lunch.
• Needing dental care.
• Falling asleep in class.
• Arriving at school early and not wanting to leave.
• Not completing homework.
• Destroying completed work.
• Breaking objects or school property.

Indicators of Neglect in Parents/Family

• Making promises but not following through.
• Failing to keep appointments.
• Refusing help from school.
• Abusing alcohol.
• Having a history of abuse or neglect as a child.
• Having a disorganized and chaotic home life.
• Having a history of chronic illness.

Emotional Abuse

• It takes two forms: actions towards others and actions towards the child.
• Acts towards others include abusing pets or threatening self-harm.
• Acts towards the child include isolation and gaslighting.

Behavioural Indicators of Emotional Abuse

• Negative statements about self.
• Compliance.
• High aggression.
• Cruelty to others.
• Being overly demanding.

Observable Indicators of Emotional Abuse

• Child rocks, sucks, or bites self.
• Inappropriate aggression.
• Destructive behavior towards others.
• Sleep and speech disorders.
• Demonstrating compulsions, obsessions, phobias, or hysterical outbursts.

Parent/Family Indicators of Emotional Abuse

• Blaming or putting down the child.
• Being cold and rejecting.
• Being indifferent to the child’s problems or welfare.
• Withholding affection.
• Showing preferential treatment when there is more than one child in the family.

Physical Abuse

Behavioural Indicators of Physical Abuse

• Avoiding physical contact with others.
• Wearing clothing to conceal injuries.
• Refusing to undress for gym at school.
• Seeming frightened by parents.
• Often late or absent from school.
• Reporting abuse by parents.

Parent/Family Indicators of Physical Abuse

• Many personal and marital problems.
• Economic stress.
• Having been abused themselves.
• Social isolation.
• Taking the child to different hospitals for each injury.
• Blaming the child for injury.

Physical Indicators of Physical Abuse

• Bite marks.
• Unusual bruises.
• Burns.
• Lacerations.
• Fractures in unusual places.
• Injuries.

Ways to Prevent Family Violence

• Primary prevention: stopping it before it starts.
• Secondary prevention: intervention and education.
• Tertiary prevention: responding after the fact.

Sexual Abuse

• It occurs when a child is inappropriately exposed or subjected to sexual contact, activity, or behavior, including prostitution.

Behavioural Indicators of Sexual Abuse

• Sexual acting out.
• Sudden use of sexual terms or new names for body parts.
• Sleep problems.
• Regressive behaviors.
• Inappropriate displays of affection.
• Sudden change in personality.

Physical Indicators of Sexual Abuse

• Difficulty walking or sitting.
• Torn clothing.
• Pregnancy.
• Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI).
• Stained or bloody underwear.

Parent or Family Indicators of Sexual Abuse

• Being overly protective.
• Abusing alcohol or drugs.
• Exposing the child to pornography.
• Freely talking or boasting about sexual themes with the child.
• Encouraging exhibitionism in the child.

This lesson explores the intricacies of consent laws, particularly focusing on age-related nuances and power imbalances. It also provides an overview of resources like Child Advocacy Centres for youth who have experienced trauma and abuse. The lesson further defines family violence and its impact on victims.