The educator's role in child abuse prevention

grantor: University of TorontoChild abuse is a pervasive problem with roots in past societal practices. Recent examination of the problem of child abuse has resulted in revelations about the damaging consequences of abuse. The response of key professional sectors has been multi-faceted. Since it is estimated that half of all abuse victims are school-aged, educators often find themselves in the position of often being involved in child abuse cases. A community consensus regarding the integrated roles of professionals responding to child abuse is an integral component of the successful resolution of this problem. Serious barriers to service exist that result in service fragmentation. Clear models for the role of educators exist within the literature; what is unknown is how effectively such models are translated within the mosaic of local community settings within the Province of Ontario. Research into school-community collaboration may assist in highlighting factors that contribute to assisting victims by providing an effective professional response to the problem of child abuse.M.A