DEFINITION OF ABUSE
Child Care Licensing Regulation
“The Licensee shall ensure that a person in care is not, while under the care or supervision of the licensee, subjected to emotional abuse, physical abuse or sexual abuse or neglect as those terms are defined in Schedule H.”
“Emotional abuse” is defined as “Any act, or lack of action, which may diminish the sense of well being of a person in care, perpetrated by a person not in care, (e.g., verbal harassment, yelling, confinement).”
“Physical abuse” is defined as “Any physical force that is excessive for, or is inappropriate to a situation involving a person in care and perpetrated by a person not in care.”
“Sexual abuse” is defined as “any sexual behaviour directed towards a person in care by an employee of the licensee, volunteer or any other person in a position of trust, power, or authority and includes
“Neglect” is defined as “the failure of a child provider to meet the needs of a person in care (e.g., food, shelter, care, supervision).”
Legal Duty to Report
Note: If the alleged abuse has occurred when, the child is in this child care: The caregiver must report this immediately to the local Licensing Officer. Licensing staff will then conduct an investigation under the Community are Facilities Act and Child Care Licensing Regulations.
If parents have any concerns about abuse at the centre, they may also contact the Licensing Officer at the local health unit(CCFL).
Note: The governing legislation for the reporting of abuse that has allegedly occurred elsewhere in a child’s life is the Child, Family and Community Services Act.
If the alleged abuse has occurred when, the child is NOT in this centre: The caregiver must report this immediately to an intake Social Worker at the Child Protection Division of the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
“The Licensee shall ensure that a person in care is not, while under the care or supervision of the licensee, subjected to emotional abuse, physical abuse or sexual abuse or neglect as those terms are defined in Schedule H.”
“Emotional abuse” is defined as “Any act, or lack of action, which may diminish the sense of well being of a person in care, perpetrated by a person not in care, (e.g., verbal harassment, yelling, confinement).”
“Physical abuse” is defined as “Any physical force that is excessive for, or is inappropriate to a situation involving a person in care and perpetrated by a person not in care.”
“Sexual abuse” is defined as “any sexual behaviour directed towards a person in care by an employee of the licensee, volunteer or any other person in a position of trust, power, or authority and includes
- Any sexual exploitation whether consensual or not, and
- Sexual activity between children if the difference in age or power between the children is so significant that the older or more powerful child is clearly taking sexual advantage of the younger or less powerful child, but does not include consenting sexual behaviour between adult persons in care.”
“Neglect” is defined as “the failure of a child provider to meet the needs of a person in care (e.g., food, shelter, care, supervision).”
Legal Duty to Report
Note: If the alleged abuse has occurred when, the child is in this child care: The caregiver must report this immediately to the local Licensing Officer. Licensing staff will then conduct an investigation under the Community are Facilities Act and Child Care Licensing Regulations.
If parents have any concerns about abuse at the centre, they may also contact the Licensing Officer at the local health unit(CCFL).
Note: The governing legislation for the reporting of abuse that has allegedly occurred elsewhere in a child’s life is the Child, Family and Community Services Act.
If the alleged abuse has occurred when, the child is NOT in this centre: The caregiver must report this immediately to an intake Social Worker at the Child Protection Division of the Ministry of Children and Family Development.