Resource 3: The role of schoolteachers

 Background information / subject knowledge for teacher

Schoolteachers are in a position to identify when children are being abused. They have opportunities to get to know individual children well, and thus to notice changes in a child’s behaviour or performance, which could be linked to abuse. Children may also disclose their circumstances as part of life skills lessons or other parts of the curriculum.

If a teacher suspects abuse, a useful process to follow is:

  • Start gathering information as soon as you suspect child abuse.
  • Continue to do so consistently, and document all information gathered.
  • Treat all this information as confidential.
  • Discuss your suspicions and the information that you have gathered with the head teacher (unless she or he is possibly implicated).
  • Ensure confidentiality by opening a separate file for the particular pupil. This file must be kept in the strong room or safe.
  • The head teacher and the teacher must consult the list of criteria for the identification of different types of abuse to verify the information before making any allegations of child abuse. Include in this process professionals who have experience.
  • Remain objective at all times and do not allow personal matters, feelings or preconceptions to cloud your judgement.
  • Any information to do with child abuse is confidential and must be handled with great discretion.
  • The reporting and investigation of child abuse must be done in such a way that the safety of the pupil is ensured.
  • Justice must not be jeopardised, but at the same time the support needed by the pupil and their family must not be neglected.

Other important things to remember when talking to pupils are:

  • Do not tell a child who discloses abuse that you do not believe them.
  • Affirm the child’s bravery in making the disclosure.
  • Tell the child what you are going to do about what you have been told, and why.
  • If possible, tell the child what will happen next.
  • Refer the child for counselling if necessary.
  • Be prepared to give evidence in court if there is a trial.

There are many organisations across Africa dedicated to the prevention of child abuse, for example the African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN). See www.anppcan.org/ [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] (Accessed 2008) for more information.

Please note: the World Day for Child Abuse is 19 November every year.

Adapted from: Resources Aimed at the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (RAPCAN) – www.rapcan.org.za/ (Accessed 2008)

The article below from Christianity Today tells of a scheme run by the Anglican church in Rwanda to improve child protection in Rwanda. Your local Anglican church should be able to give you more details.

The Neighbour’s Eye programme in Rwanda

The Anglican Church in Rwanda has launched a new programme to bring down the rate of abuse and violence against children.

The new programme called ‘Neighbour’s Eye’ is intended to consolidate the efforts of a separate child protection programme initiated by the First Lady’s Office earlier in the year called the ‘Treat Every Child as Your Own’ project.

According to Manasseh Gahima, administrator for Gahini Diocese in Kayonza District, the main aim of the programme is ‘to make every person a watchdog of his/her neighbour and fight against anything that would violate the rights and welfare of children and neighbours’. He added: ‘In the Rwandan culture, a child belongs to the society.’

The new Neighbour’s Eye programme is already showing signs of success. Gerald Muzungu, the executive secretary for Murundi Sector in Kayonza District, said the programme has created good neighbourliness among local residents.

‘We have supported the Anglican Church to disseminate the message to all residents in a bid to create a better future for the residents,’ Muzungu said, adding that action would be taken against any parents who failed to meet the standards of the child protection programme.

‘Children have a right to good health, food, education and other basic necessities,’ said Muzungu. ‘Children shouldn't become victims of abuse and mistreatment, prostitution, illicit drugs and should therefore live in a safe family environment.’

According to Bishop Alexis Birindabagabo of the Eastern Province, the Anglican Church in Rwanda is currently working to spread news of the Neighbour’s Eye programme around the local communities.

Ways to notice abuse – signs and symptoms

All professionals who encounter children should be familiar with the range of well-documented signs and symptoms of abuse of various kinds.

Physical Abuse
Adult BehaviourChild Behavioural indicatorsChild Physical indicators
  • Complains the child is ‘difficult’.
  • Little knowledge of child development.
  • Makes unrealistic demands, e.g. expects good bowel control at too early an age.
  • Indicates that child is prone to injuries.
  • Lies about how the child was injured.
  • Gives contradictory explanations about how the child was injured; Inappropriate or excessive use of medical service.
  • Seems unconcerned about the welfare of the child.
  • Cannot explain injuries.
  • Gives inconsistent explanations.
  • Absconds.
  • Cringes or withdraws when touched.
  • Babies stare with empty expression, rigid carriage, on guard.
  • Extremely aggressive or withdrawn.
  • Seeks attention from anyone who cares.
  • Extremely compliant, tries to please others.
  • Becomes scared when other children cry.
  • Scared to go home after school.
  • Scared of adults.
  • Normal activities arouse anxiety.
  • Vandalises things
  • Injuries – bruises, cuts, burns, fractures.
  • Various injuries, various degrees of healing.
  • Various injuries over a period of time.
  • Head injuries on babies and preschool children, e.g. cuts, bruises, burn marks, abrasions that cannot be satisfactorily explained.
  • Injuries such as fractures, abrasions, burns and bruises that cannot be explained.
  • Inappropriate clothing to cover the body.
Neglect
Adult BehaviourChild Behavioural indicatorsChild Physical indicators
  • Behaviour indicating rejection of the child, e.g. child left in cot or bedroom for long periods of time.
  • Ignores the child’s loving approaches, refuses to hold the child’s hand or hold her or him close.
  • Indicates the child is unwelcome.
  • Indicates the child is ‘difficult’.
  • Listless and makes few or no demands, e.g. seldom cries.
  • Little or no interest in the environment.
  • Little or no movement, e.g. lies still in bed.
  • Does not react to strangers’ attempts to stimulate her or him.
  • Shows little fear of strangers, e.g. does not react to them.
  • Begs or steals food.
  • Continually tired, listless or falling asleep.
  • Says that nobody at home looks after her or him.
  • Irregular attendance at school.
  • Destructive and aggressive.
  • Inappropriate clothing, poor personal hygiene, continually hungry.
  • Physical and medical needs don’t receive attention.
  • The child does not grow, and/or loses a lot of weight (though this may also indicate underdevelopment. A medical examination is necessary to determine the case).
  • Child is pale and emaciated.
  • Very little body fat in relation to build, e.g. folds on buttocks.
  • Skin feels like parchment owing to dehydration.
  • Constant vomiting and/or diarrhea.
  • Developmental milestones not reached within normal age ranges, e.g. neck still limp at 6 months, cannot walk at 18 months
Sexual abuse
Adult BehaviourChild Behavioural indicatorsChild Physical indicators
  • Exceptionally protective towards child and jealous.
  • Discourages contact with peer group when there is no supervision.
  • Acts seductively towards child.
  • Indicates that the spouses have marital problems.
  • Abuses alcohol and/or drugs
  • Sexual play with self, others and toys.
  • Sexual vocabulary and/or behaviour not age-appropriate.
  • Drawings or descriptions with sex theme not age-appropriate.
  • Strange, sophisticated or unusual sexual knowledge, e.g. flirtation.
  • Promiscuity and/or prostitution.
  • Continual absconding.
  • Fear of seduction by members of the opposite sex.
  • Unwilling to participate in certain activities.
  • Sudden deterioration in school progress.
  • Poor relations with peers.
  • Withdrawal, fantasising, uncommonly childish behaviour.
  • Crying without provocation.
  • Depression, attempted suicide.
  • Pain or unusual itching of genitals or in anal area.
  • Torn, stained or bloodstained underwear.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Injuries to genitals or anal area, e.g. bruises, swelling or infection.
  • Sexual transmitted diseases.
  • Difficulty in sitting or walking.
  • Regular urinary infection.
  • Throat irritations and/or soreness or mouth sores owing to forced oral sex.
Emotional abuse
Adult BehaviourChild Behavioural indicatorsChild Physical indicators
  • Blames the child for own problems and disappointments – child is seen as a scapegoat.
  • Continually expresses negative feelings about the child to other people and the child.
  • Conduct towards the child expresses continual rejection.
  • Withholds herself or himself from verbally or behaviourally expressing love to the child.
  • Continually trying to bribe, influence or terrify the child.
  • Continually trying to isolate the child, e.g. by prohibiting contact inside and outside the family.
  • Aggression, depression or extreme withdrawal.
  • Extreme compliance; too well mannered, too neat, too clean.
  • Extreme attention seeking.
  • Extreme control when she or he plays – suppresses own feelings.
  • Enuresis (bedwetting) and/or encopresis (soiling) for which there is no physical cause.
  • Continual psychosomatic complaints, e.g. headache, nausea, stomach pain.
  • Child does not grow and develop according to expectations.

Adapted from original source: www.rapcan.org.za/ articles Child abuse management in South African (Accessed 2008)

Resource 2: Types of abuse

Resource 4: Finding out what pupils already know about relationships