The evidence came from the victim's 7-year old brother who witnessed the attack on April 24, 1993. The kicks ruptured the toddler's liver and pancreas, but he also suffered permanent brain damage that has crippled him physically and mentally as a result. He cannot walk or talk and has lost his vision in one eye. The defendant was sentenced to a mere two years less a day in jail. As a society, we have to start paying more attention to the acts of violence against children that we witness, or suspect to be occurring.
All parents have the potential to be abusive, and anyone can end up being a victim of abuse.
However, there are certain characteristics and behaviour patterns that have been exhibited by abusive parents. The provinces have the responsibility of enacting legislation to protect children from abuse. The Child and Family Services Act of Ontario was established in 1984 and its main objective is to promote the protection and well-being of children. One of the ways it carries out this objective is through the mandatory reporting provisions laid out in the Act . Children are often unable to protect their own rights, therefore it is the public's responsibility to ensure that they receive protection.