AN BS eee ay Sy X=. . =, BP PDLDRPLIP LPP LDS ‘ SS Emma Sn ee OF PF PR FFAS Sr NR IAP LAP, i ee © ma a ST = oe SE SON Re AS An ~e fi sow joie 9 tpieepl) Page 12 Cassiar Courier BS, HAA IAA AIIAIAAARAIISAAISIAIIAK. Outdoor Education Local ‘Outfitters’ Provided an Outdoor Experience for Cassiar Students. Mr. and Mrs. Overton guided students from grade 11 and 12 (who were supervised by Mr. Paterson and Mr. Smit) to Dome Mt. It was a five’ day hiking trip originating from Dease Lake. The Overtons’ knowledge of the outdoors make the seeming hardships easier and their pack horses helped lighten the students packs. Saturday, June 16, the students hiked for 12 miles. At the end, the hike was steep and muddy. On the second day they hiked to their base camp at the foot of Dome Mt. The students crossed a creek several times that day and ex- perienced fast water plus slippery stones without © getting dunked. Once camp was set up they explored the area and tried their luck at panning for gold. Day 3 started off being wet, but the trek up Dome Mt. went ahead. The climb went along a creek and up several ridges, where snow patches had to be crossed. Lunch occurred near the top of the mountain where one group returned to camp and the other climbed another peak to search for precious stones. In the evening Mr. Paterson led the students in an archeological dig, unearthing old relics of the past. On the fourth day, students spent time panning for gold along the homeward route and un- earthed several good flakes of gold. A construc- tion crew erected several bridges in order that the hike would be dry; however heavy rains dampened -that optimistic outlook. Therefore, - when camped, drying oneself and one’s clothes was a necessary task. : The last day was spent in a brisk walk back to Dease Lake School, where thoughts of familiar beds and warm baths were foremost in every- one’s minds. A special thanks is extended to Gene and Mickey Overton for making the trip possible. The four beasts of burden; Muddy, and Bear, are also thanked by the students for making each homeward step lighter. People who attended the trip were: Debbie Johnson, Rick Prosser, Jud Overton, Greg Hudson, Dan Rossman, Carol Fugere, Donna Overton, _ Allen Massin, Tod Whiteside, ‘Atul Kaul, Mickey and Gene Overton, Mr. Paterson, and Mr. Smit. Sports Day The weather wasn’t too great but a “great” day was had by all at the annual School Sports Day. This year’s events were organized by Brenda Ernewein (Primary), and Sue Chambers (Inter- mediate). Teams from Good Hope Lake, Lower Post and Dease Lake also took part in the day’s events. The day began with an excellent display of dec- orated bicycles. There were six money prizes given as well as participation ribbons for each child. The primary classes then moved indoors to take part in a number of relay events organ- ized, The intermediate events took place around the school, as well as at the swimming pool. Hopefully next year’s events will prove to be as much fun and as successful. Tainagain, Brown Darren DeCecco, Graham Overton, Knowles, Grant ss A special thanks to the ‘““Moms’”’? who came to help out. PIAA IAAI AAA AA AADADAAADA AAA AA WHAT THE TEACHERS ARE DOING THIS SUMMER Wayne Geisbrecht 1s going back to school for the summer in Winnipeg. Clare Redman and Denise Tavener are holiday- ing in England. Brenda Ernewein, Keith Kroeker, and Brian Clarke will be spending part of their holidays on Vancouver Island visiting their respective friends and relatives. Bruce Patterson is spending most of his summer taking it easy and doing a bit of fishing around the country. Rick Lally and family will be in Revelstoke, while the Chambers family isin Kelowna. _ Clare Christie will be around the town. Hone the weather improves f lare. proves for you Clare Cont,-on 15 | What are the facts concerning child battering or child abuse in British Columbia? In 1971 there were 180 reported cases of child abuse in B.C. About 12 of these cases resulted in the death of the infant. Many more children suf- fered lasting physical or mental impairment. The emotional damage to any child who is sub- jected to violence at the hands of those he looks to for love and care cannot be described by any statistics. The known cases of child abuse are estimated to be less than one-third of the actual cases. Recent studies indicate that the reported cases are only the tip of the iceberg. A valid count would show that one child every day is abused in B.C. The greatest tragedy is that the majority of battered children are infants under three years. Of these, most are under one year of age, and totally de- pendent for nurture and protection on the very people at whose hands they are suffering. What kind of people abuse their children? The most significant thing about the abusing parent is how much like ourselves they are. They come from all walks of life: they come from cities and rural communities, they are of- ten successful people who hold good jobs and “keep neat and clean homes. They are seldom ter- tible sadistic people. Most love their children and have a strong desire to be good parents. Many abusing parents cope very well outside the home, it is in the interaction between them- selves and their children that the problem arises In most instances abusing parents were found to have been themselves abused as children. If they have not actually suffered physical abuse, they will have often grown up in a home with parents- who were overdemanding, critical and very con- trolling. As children they felt unloved and un- deserving. of love Because of their similar childhood experiences abusing parents show similar characteristics, al- though it should be noted here that all parents who possess some of these characteristics will not necessarily abuse their children, Abusing parents desperately need help. They are often people who are socially isolated, who have few real friends and who are not active in their community. Most-do not expect to be liked and are unable to reach out to others. As parents they feel inadequate and yet feel tremendous pressure to be good parents. Most are easily frus- trated and when frustrations build up in their daily life, they are more likely to injure their children. Most have very poor control over their impulses. They usually have unreasonably high -expectations of their children and expect them to respond in ways far beyond their stage of dev- velopment. When the child is unable to respond oe re di to those unnatural demands he ts seen by such ‘parents as wilfully ignoring their wishes. The parent then feels justified in the punishment he inflicts. Not only does he feel rejected by the child, but he sees punishment as the only way to raise a good child. Abusing parents do not per- ceive their infant as an infant, but rather as an organized human being - almost an adult. He is . unable to see his child as an individual with needs of his own, but only as an object to meet the parent’s need for love. Since they have ex- ~perienced little sense of Jove and care as children they are often cold, rigid disciplinarians. Many abusing parents seem constantly angry. Others may appear very submissive, dependent. They tend to react to most confrontations with strong denial, anger, tears, perhaps even withdrawal. They tend to be highly mobile, moving to dif- ferent. neighborhoods and “‘shopping” among doctors to avoid detection. Although the abus- — ing parent needs and often wants help, they are usually fearful and lacking in trust. Having ex- perienced only abuse and criticism themselves as children, they see only criticism and possible baer aes tan. punishment coming from those who wish only to help them. What is the law regarding child abuse? The Protection of Children Act, Section 7, Sub- section 2 clause (a) states that “every person having information of the abandonment, deser- tion, physical illtreatment or need for protection: of a child shall report the information to a chil- dren’s aid society, or to the Superintendent of Child Welfare or his duly appointed represent- atives.” Clause (b) states,“clause (a) applies not- withstanding that the information is confidential or privileged.” Since reporting abuse or neglect is required by the Act, the reporter is fully cov- ered against any legal action against him. If you are in doubt as to whether any circumstance you witness constitutes child abuse, for the child’s sake - make your report and let us make the de- cision. In Vancouver and Victoria contact the Chil- dren’s Aid Society and in any other part. of B.C. a represenative of the local Dept. of Human Re- sources or Social Welfare Office. Cassiar, Courier Page 13 Will I have to appear in court if I report? Your report will be fully investigated whether it is anonymous or not. However, if you give your .name and address it will greatly assist the child. If, in order to protect the child, he needs to be removed from his parents by court order you may be asked to give evidence. It may be the only way to insure that the child is not injured further, possibly fatally. If you are concerned, remember you do not have to be able to prove that a child is being abused. You are fully cov- ered by the law when you act responsibly. Dis- cuss your concern with a social worker who will offer help before any serious injury takes place. What wili happen to the family? It is the responsibility of the social worker to protect the child and to help the parents. If reported early it is often possible to leave the child in the home and provide help to the family In extreme cases, it may be necessary for the child’s protection, to remove the child from the home, but service to his parents will be offered and every effort made to help them effect such changes as will make the home a safe place to which the child can be returned. What services are provided? 1. Counselling to enable parents to deal with their problems in more effective ways. . Medical and psychiatric help. . Assistance to relieve environmental sures Such as financial help, housing aid. 4. Services to get part-time relief from the care of the children, i.e., housekeepers, day care services, etc. 5. Community involvement to assist parents to find outlets for their own needs. 6. Temporary foster home care for the child to protect him and relieve the parents while they receive the help that will enable them to deal with the problems that have caused them to act aggressively towards their children. ‘NH lI pres- Please remember this....... Abuse of a child is seldom limited to a single | instance. If the first and perhaps relatively mild, incident is not discovered, the incidents that fol- low. will get worse. One of these may be fatal. Abused children tend to repeat the same pattern of abuse when they in turn become parents. Pre- vention is the only means of breaking this tra- gic cycle. j It is the responsibility of every person to report any situation where a child appears to be neg- lected or abused. Your hesitation to become involved, your re- luctance to interfere, your failure to act, may cost a child’s life. Department of Human Resources Phone 778-7227 wines