Child Protection for International Schools

Module 3 – Specific Safeguarding Issues

In this module, we will cover specific safeguarding issues and the signs and indicators of them that should alert you
to a child who may be in need, or at risk of significant harm.

Introduction

In module two we looked in detail at the four main categories of abuse; physical, emotional and sexual abuse and
neglect. Child protection concerns are rarely standalone events that can be covered by one definition or label. In
most cases, multiple issues will overlap with one another; a child that is being sexually exploited will experience not
only sexual abuse but also experience physical and emotional abuse as well. This module focuses on other
safeguarding issues that you should be aware of.

Female genital mutilation (FGM)

FGM involves procedures that include the partial or total removal of the external female genital organs for cultural
or other non-therapeutic reasons. It is also known as “female circumcision” or cutting. The procedure may be carried
out when a girl is newborn, during childhood or adolescence, just before marriage or during the first pregnancy.
However, most cases are thought to take place between the ages of five and eight, and therefore girls between
these ages may be especially vulnerable. It is not required by any religion. UNICEF describes FGM as a violation of
girls’ and women’s fundamental rights.

https://www.unicef.org/stories/what-you-need-know-about-female-genital-mutilation

Indicators of FGM include

Girls who are threatened with or have undergone FGM may:

• be withdrawn from education, restricting their educational and personal development
• feel unable to disobey their parents and, as a result, may suffer emotionally
• not turn up for health appointments
• have extended absence from school or college
• go to school or college but absent themselves from lessons, possibly spending prolonged periods in the
toilets
• be anxious leading up to holidays
• talk of a ‘special ceremony’
• be generally anxious, depressed or emotionally withdrawn
• have a sudden decline in performance, aspiration or motivation.

Forced marriage

A forced marriage is where one or both people do not or cannot consent to marriage and pressure or abuse is used.
It is an indefensible practice and is recognised in the UK as a form of violence against both men and women.

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Forced marriage is different to an arranged marriage, where the families of both prospective spouses take a leading
role in arranging the marriage, but the choice of whether or not to accept the arrangement rests with both the
people involved.

Indicators of forced marriage:

• anxiety, depression, being emotionally withdrawn
• low self-esteem
• absence from school or permission sought for extended leave
• less commonly, cut or shaved hair as a punishment for disobeying, or a girl may say she has been to a doctor
to see if she is a virgin
• showing fear about forthcoming school holidays.

If you are concerned that the individual is in immediate danger you should call emergency services.

Honour-based abuse

So-called ‘honour-based’ abuse encompasses incidents or crimes which have been committed to protect or defend
the honour of the family and/or the community. Abuse committed in the context of preserving ’honour’ often
involves a wider network of family or community pressure and can include multiple perpetrators.
Honour-based abuse can be physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Victims can be of any age, gender or sexual
orientation.

Crimes committed in the name of so-called honour may include:

• female genital mutilation (FGM)
• forced marriage
• breast ironing – the use of heated objects to flatten a girl’s breasts and stop them from developing
• domestic abuse
• being held against their will.

All forms of honour-based abuse are abuse (regardless of the motivation) and should be handled and escalated as
such.

Child exploitation

Child exploitation refers to a child or young person being used for someone else’s gain. Child exploitation is a form of
abuse which can involve sexual, abusive or manipulative behaviour. It normally occurs because of an ‘imbalance of
power’, such as age, physical strength, gender, cognitive ability or access to resources such as food, clothes and a
place to stay.

There is no single offence of child exploitation.

Perpetrators face being investigated for more than one offence, including rape, trafficking, organised gang activity,
sexual assault or inciting a child into sexual activity. Child exploitation occurs online and offline, by a group or
individual and affects both males and females.

Whilst Tes Global Ltd have made every effort to ensure that the courses and their content have been devised and written by leading experts who have ensured that they reflect best practice in all
aspects, Tes Global Ltd exclude their liability of the consequences of any errors, omission or incorrect statements to the fullest extent permitted by law and Tes Global Ltd make no warranty or
representation as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for purpose of any statements or other content in the course. No part of this material may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any
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Child sexual exploitation

Child sexual exploitation is a form of child sexual abuse. It occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an
imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into sexual activity
(a) in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or (b) for financial advantage or the increased status of
the perpetrator or facilitator. The victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears
consensual. Child sexual exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of
technology

Child sexual exploitation can include seemingly consensual relationships or sexual activity in exchange for attention,
a place to stay, gifts, money, cigarettes or illegal substances. It can also include serious organised crime. Children
often trust their abuser; they may believe they are in a loving, caring relationship. Sexual exploitation is experienced
by some children who are trafficked into a country.

Indicators of child sexual exploitation

• In addition to the general signs of sexual abuse discussed in module two, behavioural signs of child sexual
exploitation include:
• being absent from school
• possessing unexplained gifts
• having an older boyfriend or girlfriend
• alcohol and drug misuse
• mood swings inappropriate sexualised behaviour.

Child criminal exploitation

Child criminal exploitation is a form of abuse in which an individual is coerced to commit an offence for the benefit
of an individual or group who hold more power than they do.

Children can be forced or manipulated to:

• transport drugs or money through county lines
• be involved in shoplifting or pickpocketing
• commit or threaten serious violence to others
• carry weapons.

Children can become trapped by this type of exploitation as perpetrators can threaten victims (and their families)
with violence, or entrap and coerce them into debt.

Younger siblings are often recruited through fear of violence against the family or the exploitation of their brother or
sister.

Extremism/radicalisation

As young people go through a process of testing and developing their identity, they may be particularly vulnerable to
being groomed or radicalised, either face-to-face or online.

Staff should be able to identify children who may be vulnerable to radicalisation and know what to do when they are
identified. Those classed as vulnerable may be targeted by extremists who tell them they can be part of something
special, later brainwashing them into cutting themselves off from their friends and family. Protecting children from
the risk of radicalisation should be seen as part of your wider safeguarding duties.
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aspects, Tes Global Ltd exclude their liability of the consequences of any errors, omission or incorrect statements to the fullest extent permitted by law and Tes Global Ltd make no warranty or
representation as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for purpose of any statements or other content in the course. No part of this material may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any
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Indicators of extremism/radicalisation include:
• spending an increasing amount of time on the internet (may be secretive or have more than one online
identity)
• refusing to listen to different points of view
• becoming increasingly argumentative and abusive to others
• sympathetic to extremist ideologies and groups
• unwilling to engage with other young people who have different ideologies
• feeling persecuted
• changing friends
• changing appearance
• no longer doing things they used to enjoy.

Domestic abuse

The United Nations defines domestic abuse/violence or intimate partner violence, as ‘a pattern of behaviour in any
relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner’.

This includes any behaviours that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure, or wound
someone.

Domestic abuse can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender. It can occur within a
range of relationships including couples who are married, living together or dating. Domestic violence affects people
of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels.

The abuse can encompass, but is not limited to:

• psychological
• physical
• sexual
• financial
• emotional.

Domestic abuse can be coercive or controlling behaviour.

Where physical violence is present there is an additional danger to children. Exposure to domestic abuse and/or
violence can have a serious, long lasting emotional and psychological impact on children. In some cases, a child may
blame themselves for the abuse or may have had to leave the family home as a result.

Indicators of domestic abuse

All children living with abuse are under stress. That stress may lead to any of the following:
• being withdrawn
• being angry
• being anxious or depressed
• fear of being abandoned
• problems in school
• truancy or poor school attendance
• speech problems, difficulties with learning
• nightmares or poor sleep patterns
• bed-wetting
Whilst Tes Global Ltd have made every effort to ensure that the courses and their content have been devised and written by leading experts who have ensured that they reflect best practice in all
aspects, Tes Global Ltd exclude their liability of the consequences of any errors, omission or incorrect statements to the fullest extent permitted by law and Tes Global Ltd make no warranty or
representation as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for purpose of any statements or other content in the course. No part of this material may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing by Tes Global Ltd.
 • drug or alcohol abuse
• self-harm, for example, eating disorders, cutting
• general poor health.

Child-to-parent abuse

Child-to-parent abuse can involve children of all ages and can include abuse toward siblings, parents, grandparents,
as well as other family members such as those acting as kinship carers.
Parents may fear being blamed, disbelieved, or conversely having their child taken away from them or criminalised
leaving them reluctant to seek help.

Online Abuse main

Computers, tablets and smartphones give children and young people access to a wealth of information and
opportunities for communication. Schools and colleges are increasingly working online, and as such schools should
ensure that appropriate filters and monitoring systems are in place. It is also important that children are taught
about online safety from an early age.

The breadth of issues classified within online safety is considerable, but can be categorised into four areas of risk:
• content: being exposed to illegal, inappropriate or harmful material
• contact: being subjected to harmful online interaction with other users; and
• conduct: personal online behaviour that increases the likelihood of, or causes, harm.
• commerce: risks such as online gambling, solicitation for substances, inappropriate advertising, phishing
and/or financial scams.

Online sexual coercion and extortion is one of the crimes of the digital age. It affects adults and children, and it is
facilitated by technological expansion, growing internet coverage and the widespread availability of mobile devices.

Online risks

Children can be put at risk of:

• seeing inappropriate images
• being groomed
• being the victim of online bullying
• being contacted and manipulated by an adult for sexual purposes
• sharing personal and identifying information with strangers
• sending or receiving sexually explicit films, images or messages of themselves or others (this is known as
sexting when sent by mobile phone)
• being radicalised to commit acts of terror.

Helping children and young people develop the skills to keep themselves safer online is essential. Due to lack of life
experience children can be unaware of the risks, and their perception of risk can be different to that of adults.

Whilst the internet has entertaining, engaging and educational content, it also has illegal and inappropriate content
which all has the potential to be viewed by a child. This not only has safeguarding implications but can also have a
negative impact on a child’s wellbeing and mental health.

Whilst Tes Global Ltd have made every effort to ensure that the courses and their content have been devised and written by leading experts who have ensured that they reflect best practice in all
aspects, Tes Global Ltd exclude their liability of the consequences of any errors, omission or incorrect statements to the fullest extent permitted by law and Tes Global Ltd make no warranty or
representation as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for purpose of any statements or other content in the course. No part of this material may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing by Tes Global Ltd.
Extra information link:

The Internet Watch Foundation work internationally to help children who are victims of child sexual abuse by
identifying and removing online images and videos. It can then lead to the rescue of the child from further abuse.
The IWF have a reporting button on their website for anyone who is concerned about an image or video of child
sexual abuse. report.iwf.org.uk/en

Child-on-child abuse

Child-on-child abuse is experienced by an increasing number of children and young people and there are growing
concerns raised by professionals. Child-on-child abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional and financial abuse. It can
also be coercive control exercised between children and young people within their relationships.
Children and young people can be at risk of:
• harmful sexual behaviour
• serious youth violence
• domestic abuse
• child sexual exploitation.

Child-on-child abuse is likely to include, but may not be limited to:

• bullying
• gender-based violence
• sexual assaults
• sexting
• coercive control
• initiation ceremonies also known as hazing
• upskirting.

Indicators of child-on-child abuse

A child or young person may:

• miss school or college
• truant from lessons
• be withdrawn
• experience break down of family relationships
• be anxious
• be aggressive or argumentative
• self-harm
• become involved in alcohol or substance misuse.

To help prevent child-on-child abuse and understand how to respond to it, all staff should be clear on the school’s
policy and procedures 1.

Sexual violence and sexual harassment

Sexual violence and sexual harassment can occur between two children of any sex. It can also occur through a group
of children sexually assaulting or sexually harassing a single child or group of children. Sexual violence and

1
https://www.farrer.co.uk/globalassets/brochures/safe_safeguarding-toolkit-2019-as-at-june-2022.pdf
Whilst Tes Global Ltd have made every effort to ensure that the courses and their content have been devised and written by leading experts who have ensured that they reflect best practice in all
aspects, Tes Global Ltd exclude their liability of the consequences of any errors, omission or incorrect statements to the fullest extent permitted by law and Tes Global Ltd make no warranty or
representation as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for purpose of any statements or other content in the course. No part of this material may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing by Tes Global Ltd.
harassment can occur face-to-face, online, physically or verbally. It should not be seen as ‘banter’, ‘part of growing
up’ or ‘just having a laugh’

Child trafficking and modern slavery

Child trafficking is a very serious issue which can have a devastating and lasting impact on its victims. The
international definition of trafficking comes from the United Nations Palermo Protocol (2000). This defines
trafficking as:

“The recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of
force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position
of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having
control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.”

The Palermo Protocol makes it clear that a child cannot consent to being exploited and so the issue of coercion is
irrelevant. All that is required to recognise a child as a victim of human trafficking is movement and exploitation.

Children are trafficked for many reasons including:

• sexual exploitation
• domestic servitude
• forced labour
• child labour
• benefit fraud
• criminal activity such as pickpocketing, theft and working in cannabis farms
• working in the sex industry
• forced begging
• organ harvesting
• forced marriage and illegal adoption.

Fabricated or induced illness

Fabricated or induced illness (FII, also known as Munchausen's syndrome by proxy) is a rare form of child abuse. It
occurs when a parent or carer exaggerates or deliberately causes symptoms of illness in the child. According to the
British NHS, fabricated or induced illness can involve children of all ages, but the most severe cases are usually
associated with children under five.

In more than 90% of reported cases of FII, the child's mother is responsible for the abuse. However, there have been
cases where the father, foster parent, grandparent, guardian, or a healthcare or childcare professional was
responsible.

Behaviour signs exhibited by a parent that may be associated with FII may include:

• claiming the child has symptoms which are unverifiable, such as pain
• exaggerating symptoms
• interfering with treatments; for example, not administering or overdosing medication
• deliberately inducing symptoms.

Whilst Tes Global Ltd have made every effort to ensure that the courses and their content have been devised and written by leading experts who have ensured that they reflect best practice in all
aspects, Tes Global Ltd exclude their liability of the consequences of any errors, omission or incorrect statements to the fullest extent permitted by law and Tes Global Ltd make no warranty or
representation as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for purpose of any statements or other content in the course. No part of this material may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing by Tes Global Ltd.
Other safeguarding issues

Children absent/missing from education

A child going missing from education is a potential indicator of abuse or neglect, including the risk of sexual
exploitation, forced marriage, female genital mutilation and travelling to conflict zones.

School staff should follow the school’s procedures for unauthorised absence and for dealing with children that go
missing from education, particularly on repeat occasions. Where possible schools should hold more than one
emergency contact number for each pupil. This will help to identify any risk of abuse and neglect and help to prevent
them going missing in future.

Extra information link:

International centre for missing and exploited children www.icmec.org

Resource: www.cois.org/about-cis/mission-and-vision

Breast ironing/flattening

This is the practice where a pubescent girl’s breasts are ironed, massaged and flattened in order to delay the
development of the breasts. The process normally starts at the first sign of puberty and can go on for many years.
Breast ironing is a form of physical abuse.

Click to watch this video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=imCmlG3_3tc

Babies and very young children

Babies and very young children do not have the words to describe experiences of abuse.
With babies, you should be alert to physical and behavioural signs of abuse and in addition, with young children you
can look at their play behaviour and their paintings and drawings. Ask yourself whether they portray images that
should be beyond the knowledge of a child of that age.

Where a child has not spoken about abuse to you, but their injuries or behaviour give you cause for concern, you
must discuss your concerns with your organisation’s safeguarding lead or your manager.

Summary

This module has looked at other types of abuse that children and young people may be subjected to. In most cases a
child or young person will be subjected to more than one type of abuse. It is important to consider both the physical
and behavioural signs, in conjunction with your knowledge about the child over time. You are now ready to
complete the corresponding questionnaire. Simply close this window to save your progress and then click
‘Questionnaire 3’ to begin the questions.

Whilst Tes Global Ltd have made every effort to ensure that the courses and their content have been devised and written by leading experts who have ensured that they reflect best practice in all
aspects, Tes Global Ltd exclude their liability of the consequences of any errors, omission or incorrect statements to the fullest extent permitted by law and Tes Global Ltd make no warranty or
representation as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for purpose of any statements or other content in the course. No part of this material may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing by Tes Global Ltd.