Maltreatment of a child is not just physical abuse. Approximately 20 per cent of new referrals to CCAS are for reasons of physical, sexual, or emotional maltreatment. We believe these referrals represent a fraction of the actual number of incidents. The most widely accepted estimate of sexual abuse is that one in four girls and one in eight boys will be abused before age 18. Child sexual abuse includes any sexual intercourse, molestation, or exploitation that could be a violation of the Criminal Code or put a child in need of protection under the Child and Family Services Act.
Abuse includes incidents between family members as well as non-related persons.
Physical abuse involves bodily harm to a child, abandonment and failure to provide the necessities of life or medical attention. Physical abuse usually results from extreme attempts to discipline or correct a child. Emotional or Psychological maltreatment is usually a pattern of negative behaviours or repeated destructive interactions by the caregiver to the child. Emotional maltreatment may include spurning of the child, terrorizing, isolating, exploiting or ignoring the child. We believe it takes the interest and concern of the entire community to ensure the well-being of children.