Neglect
Failure of a parent or caregiver to provide needed food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or supervision to the degree that the child’s health, safety or well-being may be threatened with harm.
Indicators of Neglect
Physical Indicators
- Poor hygiene practices
- Development delays in weight, language
- Abandonment
- Unsupervised
- Unattended medical and dental need
Behavioural Indicators
- Steals food, begs to satisfy hunger
- Drops out of school
- Delinquent
- Drugs/alcohol abuse
- Falls asleep in class
- Informs that there is no supervision at home
- Lack of parental participation and interest
Underlying Risk Factors and Triggers of Neglect
- Divorce/separation or new relationships
- The child is a non-national
- Non-nationals having no resources
- Parents residing overseas
- The perpetuation of a cycle
- Lack of effective enforcement of legislation
- Lack of connectivity of various agencies