Health and Safety
Keeping Kids Safe: Part 2 – Developmental Factors – Pearl Rimer
People from all over the world want to do their best to ensure the safety of the children in their care. “Streetproofing” and “stranger danger” were terms used in the past to describe information about keeping kids safe. These are now being replaced with terms like “personal safety” because the reality is that most children are harmed by someone known or trusted. As a result, safety messages for children and teens have changed so that they apply to any situation. Part 2 of the resource sheet “Keeping Our Kids Safe Is The Most Important Thing!”, written by Pearl Rimer, Manager of Research & Training at Boost Child Abuse Prevention & Intervention, offers up-to-date information for staff to share with clients as we work together to keep kids safe. This resource is available in English and French.Overcoming Barriers to Reporting Suspicions of Child Abuse & Children Exposed to Family Violence: Part 1 – Pearl Rimer
One phone call can save a child from serious harm, perhaps even death, and yet, suspicions of child abuse are not reported nearly enough. If the system is to succeed in protecting children and supporting families, a community where members follow through on their legal and moral duty to report suspicions of abuse is essential. Pearl Rimer, Manager of Research & Training at Boost Child Abuse Prevention & Intervention, discusses how to overcome barriers to reporting abuse. This resource is available in English and French.Overcoming Barriers to Reporting Suspicions of Child Abuse & Children Exposed to Family Violence: Part 2 – Pearl Rimer
Pearl Rimer, Manager of Research & Training at Boost Child Abuse Prevention & Intervention, discusses maintaining a positive client relationship where there is a suspicion of abuse is often a concern for staff. This resource is available in English and French.Spanking: Discipline or Abuse? – Pearl Rimer
Canadian research tells us that approximately 75% of physical abuse investigations are related to a child being punished inappropriately. Often in these cases, the punishment, which was not intended to injure the child, has gone too far. Although cultural factors may play a role in how children are disciplined, injuring a child is unacceptable. Physical punishment clearly exposes children to risks, and doesn’t it make sense to reduce risks whenever possible? Pearl Rimer, Manager of Research & Training at Boost Child Abuse Prevention & Intervention, discusses physical punishment and its effects. This resource is available in English and French.
New Expert Corner
We’ve added five new Expert Corner articles to support your work with newcomer families.
Written by Pearl Rimer and Sharon Hart from Boost, these articles will help you to understand child abuse prevention and intervention. Boost has worked with CMAS for years to identify cultural considerations and important issues for newcomer families. They are committed to eliminating abuse and violence in the lives of children, youth, and their families.
- Keeping Kids Safe 1
- Keeping Kids Safe 2
- Spanking: Discipline or Abuse?
- Overcoming Barriers to Reporting Suspicions of Child Abuse and Children Exposed to Family Violence: Part 1
- Overcoming Barriers to Reporting Suspicions of Child Abuse and Children Exposed to Family Violence: Part 2
October is Child Abuse Prevention Month
What will you do to stop child abuse?
“When you feel badly about reporting a parent, you are preventing an opportunity for the Children’s Aid Society to help and support this family. Children’s Aid is always seen as negative and they will take away your children. It’s just not true.”Pearl Rimer, BOOST Read More
Anaphylaxis Training Saves Lives!
Today marks the 8th anniversary of Sabrina Shannon’s death from an anaphylactic reaction, but her name lives on in Sabrina’s Law —the precedent-setting anaphylaxis legislation in Ontario that is otherwise known as Bill 3: An Act to Protect Anaphylactic Pupils.
Sabrina has become the face for an otherwise anonymous condition that so many of us still don’t understand. She was a well-adjusted child with anaphylaxis. Despite all of the precautions taken by Sabrina and her family, she still managed to consume trace amounts of a dairy protein in her school cafeteria. It was determined that tongs used to serve the fries Sabrina ate were also used to serve poutine, allowing cross-contamination with the fatal dairy protein. But while a dairy protein was the medical cause of Sabrina’s death, a lack of education was the actual cause.
CMAS can help you to do your part by ensuring that all LINC Caregivers have the education needed to prevent an anaphylactic reaction, or to handle one should it occur. If you have not received CMAS Anaphylaxis Training, please contact Brian Robertson immediately at 416.395.5027.
Listen to Sabrina Shannon’s 2001 Broadcast
In 2001, two years before she died of an anaphylactic reaction, Sabrina Shannon produced her own radio documentary for CBC Radio called “A Nutty Tale.”