Educators are in contact with children on a daily basis. As such they are bound to be confronted with a child abuse case at some point. Dealing with this abuse in the correct manner could make the difference between the perpetrator being convicted or acquitted. In addition, a child who has just disclosed is vulnerable and requires special care.

Sometimes children make disclosures of abuse to educators. Sometimes educators observe the behaviour and well-being of children and may suspect that the child is being abused. All schools should have child protection policies and educators do need to familiarize themselves with these.

However it is important to remember that no matter what the policy of the school, or what another educator may tell you, educators have a statutory responsibility to report child abuse and the failure to do so is a crime.

To help educators report abuse or suspected abuse in such a way that the child can be helped, the following steps can be followed:

STEP 1: PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

• Child’s name, address and telephone number.
• Parent’s or guardian’s name and telephone numbers.
• Reasons for concern, any documentation of indicators and any relevant statements made by the child.

STEP 2:

• Follow the school protocol (NB Indemnity form) and inform the designated personnel at the school. However the reporting of abuse and neglect is mandated by law and this law supercedes school policy.
• No investigation should be carried out by the school personnel at this stage or any other time.