“What it Takes to Protect” Abuse Prevention and Awareness: Beyond the Duty to Report

As Educators, we already practice and are aware of children’s safety and supervision in our day-to-day routines in child care settings or early learning environments. These are all very important; however, are we doing all we can to do ‘what it takes to protect’? In this Workshop, Educators will gain more information about how to identify potential abusive situations, what the signs are, prevent abusive situations, and help those needing further support or assistance. They will gain more understanding that abuse comes in all forms, in all situations, and in all different socio-economic backgrounds. They will also learn how to gather more information and crush any biases, attachments to outcomes, old belief systems, or assumptions that create tunnel vision or distractions when we are interacting with children in our care. They will also learn about listening intuitively to children, believing a child, get more information, pick up on verbal and non-verbal cues, using discernment, setting healthy boundaries, and how to teach children to do the same. Fortunately, we as Educators are in a position to help and educate children and families and be a part of a circle of support and guidance for them. This builds trust, empowerment, assertiveness and confidence in the hopes of preventing any or further abuse from occurring or the downward spiral of mental or emotional abuse that comes from not being seen, heard, or understood.