Obligation to Report
Section 4(1) of the Child Youth & Family Enhancement Act states:
"ANY PERSON who has reasonable and probable grounds to believe and believes that a child is in need of protective services shall forthwith report the matter to a director." To report "forthwith to a director" means promptly notifying a director under the Child Youth & Family Enhancement Act or a person who has the director's delegated authority. That authority is represented through the local Child & Family Services Authority.
They might be becoming or already are a victim of abuse if they:
- Feel like the have to 'walk on eggshells' to keep him from getting angry and are frightened by his temper
- Feel they can't live without him
- Stop seeing other friends and family, or give up activities they enjoy because he doesn't like them
- Are afraid to tell him their worries and feelings about the relationship
- Are often compliant because they are afraid to hurt his feelings; and have the urge to "rescue" him when is is troubled
- Feel that they are the only one who can help him and that they should try to "reform" him
- Find themselves apologizing to themselves or others for their partner's behavior when they are treated badly
- Stop expressing opitions if he doesn't agree with them
- Stay because they feel he will kill himself if they leave
- Believe that his jealousy is a sign of love
- Have been kicked, hit, shoved, or had things thrown at them by him when he was jealous or angry
- Believe the critical things he says to make them feel bad about themselves
- Believe that there is something wrong with them if they don't enjoy the sexual things he make them do
- Believe in the traditional ideas of what a man and a woman should be and do -- that the man makes the decisions and the woman pleases him
- Have been abused as a child or seen their mother abused (some people)
Source: Central Alberta Child and Family Services Authority (CFSA)
http://www.centralalbertacfsa.gov.ab.ca