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Child Protection

Child Abuse Mandatory Reporting Policy at AISA

All children have a right to feel safe and to be safe.  As members of a community, we all have a moral obligation to protect any child under our care and supervision from foreseeable harm. Teachers have a legal and moral responsibility to respond to  involving child abuse and neglect.  Specifically,  to report cases involving neglect, physical and/or sexual abuse . School staff members play a critical role in protecting children, identifing, responding and reporting child abuse.

AISA staff must report any reasonable suspicion of abuse or at risk of being abused. This includes abuse that has, or is suspected to have, taken place within or outside of school grounds and hours.

It is mandated that if an AISA Teacher or Professional who during carrying out duties forms the belief on reasonable grounds that a child is in need of protection must report to the AISA Director. If  the mandatory reporter fails to comply with this obligation may be criminal negligence.

At the American International School of Algiers, all mandated school staff must have an active certificate via Child Protecting Training from ChildSafeguarding.Com. All staff are required to undertake this module, either for Support Staff, Educators or Leaders on a bi-annual basis.

 

A. Injury of a child by any person under circumstances which cause harm to the child's health, welfare, or safety.

B. Sexual abuse or sexual exploitation by any person under circumstances which cause harm to the child's health, welfare, or safety.

C. The negligent treatment or maltreatment of a child by a person responsible for or providing care to the child.  Physical abuse means the nonaccidental infliction of physical injury or physical mistreatment on a child that harms the child's health, welfare, or safety. It may include, but is not limited to: 

   (a) Throwing, kicking, burning, or cutting a child.

   (b) Striking a child with a closed fist.

   (c) Shaking a child underage three.

   (d) Interfering with a child's breathing.

   (e) Threatening a child with a deadly weapon.

   (f) Doing any other act that is likely to cause and that does cause bodily harm greater than transient pain or minor temporary marks or that is injurious to the child's health, welfare or safety.

Physical discipline of a child, including the reasonable use of corporal punishment, is not considered abuse when it is reasonable and moderate and is inflicted by a parent or guardian for the purposes of restraining or correcting the child.

Sexual abuse means committing or allowing to be committed any sexual offense against a child as defined in the criminal code. The intentional touching, either directly or through the clothing, of the sexual or other intimate parts of a child or allowing, permitting, compelling, encouraging, aiding, or otherwise causing a child to engage in touching the sexual or other intimate parts of another for the purpose of gratifying the sexual desire of the person touching the child, the child, or a third party.  A parent or guardian of a child, a person authorized by the parent or guardian to provide childcare for the child, or a person providing medically recognized services for the child, may touch a child in the sexual or other intimate parts for the purposes of providing hygiene, child care, and medical treatment or diagnosis.  Sexual exploitation includes, but is not limited to, sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation and includes such actions as allowing, compelling, encouraging, aiding, or otherwise causing a child to participate in one or more of the following:

   a. Any sex act when anything of value is given to or received by any person for the sex act;

   b. Sexually explicit, obscene, or pornographic activity to be photographed, filmed, or electronically reproduced or transmitted.

   c. Sexually explicit, obscene, or pornographic activity as part of a live performance or for the benefit or sexual gratification of another person.

Negligent treatment or maltreatment means an act or a failure to act, or the cumulative effects of a pattern of conduct, behavior, or inaction, on the part of a child's parent, legal custodian, guardian, or caregiver that shows a serious disregard of the consequences to the child and creates a clear and present danger to the child's health, welfare, or safety.

  • Seeks or takes food or money in inappropriate ways.
  • Lacks needed medical or dental care, immunizations, or glasses.
  • Appears consistently unclean and has noticeable body odor.
  • Lacks sufficient clothing for the weather.
  • States that there is no one at home to provide care.

 Consider the possibility of neglect when the parent or other adult caregiver:

  • Appears to be indifferent to the child.
  • Seems apathetic or depressed.
  • Behaves irrationally or in a bizarre manner.
  • Is misusing or dependent on drugs or other substances.

 NOTE: Indicators in and of themselves do not necessarily prove that abuse, neglect, or exploitation has occurred. However, they still may warrant a referral to the school director or law enforcement. When in doubt, staff should consult with the school director about making a report.

1.    Report directly to the AISA Director with completed reporting form. 

2.    The Regional Security Office at the US Embassy Algiers will be notified promptly of the report.

3.    Diplomatic Security Service Service - US Department of State Special Agent may be notified to further guidance.

4.    The US Embassy authorities will take discretionary action with the local authorities with respect to local and national law.

Child Safety & Mandatory Reporting

At AISA, any concerns regarding the safety and well-being of a child are taken very seriously. The school has a Report of Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect, which must be completed whenever there is a concern. This report is then submitted directly to the School Director to ensure that appropriate action is taken promptly and responsibly.

 

REPORT OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT