This week is Crime Prevention Week for both the Timmins Police and the OPP. The OPP is focusing on recognizing and reporting child abuse.
From the South Porcupine OPP:
This week is the Ontario Provincial Police Crime Prevention Week with the focus being on “Partners in Community Safety and Well-Being.” The South Porcupine Detachment would like to raise the public’s awareness of how we can all help children in our community we suspect may be victims of abuse.
Abuse can come in many forms including physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, neglect and risk of harm. Members of the public, including professionals who work with children have an obligation to report promptly to a family and child’s services agency if they suspect that a child is or may be in need of protection.
Some of these professionals include health care workers, teachers, principals, members of the clergy, police officers, lawyers and any other person who performs professional or official duties with respect to a child.
Being able to recognize the signs of child abuse are important and can include: being excessively withdrawn, fearful or anxious about doing something wrong, frequent or unexplained injuries, bruises, welts, or cuts, filthy clothing, poor hygiene, or trouble walking or sitting.
Child abuse can leave deep lasting scars, both physically and emotionally.
“The earlier abused children get help, the greater chance they have to heal and break the cycle. By intervening you can make a huge difference in a child’s life,” states Detachment Commander Dan Foy.
The Timmins Police has set an information session for business owners to learn how to protect their businesses. They also have two different paper shredding days, so sensitive documents can be safely destroyed to keep personal information confidential. Stop off at the police station on the 5th, between 1 PM – 3 PM, or 4 PM – 7 PM, with any documents you want destroyed. The police will be outside of the parking garage collecting papers to shred. If you are a business owner and want to go to the information session, it runs on the 4th from 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM. Register with the Timmins Chamber of Commerce.
Photo: Kate Cantin, Corporate Communications Coordinator with the Timmins Police