Carl's Case

As a teacher you spend a significant time with your students on a weekly basis. Over the course of the semester you will learn a lot about all the individuals in your class and there will be a level of trust created between you and your students. Carl’s teacher DID notice a change in his student’s behaviour and was starting to become concerned with Carl’s behaviour in the classroom. I do not think it was his fault for not recognizing more signs of abuse right away because children will hide it to their best of their ability. Hopefully students will feel comfortable and safe coming to you as a teacher for help in any abusive situations. I hope all of us will be able to create that nurturing environment where students can feel respected and protected if something might happen to them.
It is important for us as teachers to know certain warning signs for emotional, physical or sexual abuse. Listed below are some possible indicators for physical abuse provided by the BC Ministry of Education and you can find the BC Handbook for Action on Child Abuse and Neglect at http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/sco/resourcedocs/handbook_action_child_abuse.pdf

Possible indicators of physical abuse
Physical Indicators
» injuries that have a pattern or look like they may have been caused by an
object (e.g., hand, stick, buckle, stove element), and
» bruising in unusual places such as ears, trunk, neck or buttocks
Behavioural Indicators
» afraid or reluctant to go home, or runs away
» shows unusual aggression, rages or tantrums
» flinches when touched
» has changes in school performance and attendance
» withdraws from family, friends and activities previously enjoyed
» poor self-esteem (e.g., describes self as bad, feels punishment is
deserved, is very withdrawn), and
» suicidal thoughts or self-destructive behaviour (e.g., self-mutilation,
suicide attempt, extreme risk-taking behaviour)