There are five main types of child abuse:
- Physical Abuse: The intentional use of force on any part of a child’s body that results in serious injuries.
- Sexual Abuse: The improper exposure of a child to sexual contact, activity, or behaviour.
- Emotional Abuse: Anything that causes serious mental or emotional harm to a child.
- Neglect: Any lack of care that causes serious harm to a child’s development or endangers the child in any way.
- Exposure to Domestic Violence: Being witness to a violent behaviour between family members.
Recognizing child abuse is crucial. All adults in Alberta have a role to play in keeping children safe. While the signs below do not confirm abuse on their own, they warrant concern and should lead to a check-in by a trusted, caring adult. These include:
- Sudden or unexplained changes in behaviour, including aggression, avoidance or withdrawal,
- Changes in school or extracurricular performance including sudden grade improvement or disengagement,
- Unexplained injuries that don’t match the child’s explanation, sexual knowledge beyond the child’s age/developmental stage,
- Fearing a specific person or place, or even a certain gender, OR
- Children always sick, hungry, or not dressed suitably for the weather.
Reports can be made to the following places:
- Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-387-5437 (KIDS)
- Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or Text CONNECT to 686868
- Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-8477
- Online Exploitation: cybertip.ca
- Lethbridge Police Service Non-Emergency Reporting: 403-328-4444
- RCMP Reporting Line: 403-345-5000. If a child is in immediate danger, please dial 911.