DOMESTIC VIOLENCE | CHILD ABUSE | PHYSICAL ABUSE | SEXUAL ABUSE | GROOMING | EMOTIONAL ABUSE | PREVENTION OF ALCOHOL TOBACCO AND DRUG USE
This is a crime typified by the Colombian Criminal Code, which consists of physically or psychologically abusing any member of the family. It is understood that domestic violence may occur within family members who live together, in a different household, or even any other person who permanently lives under the same domestic unit. (For more information, see Colombian Criminal Code, Article 229).
*Sometimes, students may not realize that they are being victims of some form of domestic violence, which is why it is of critical importance that all CNG staff members are vigilant in identifying and reporting the signs and indicators of such situations
Is any form of physical or psychological abuse, neglect, omission, or sexual exploitation, including sexual abuse, and in general, all forms of violence or aggression against the child or adolescent, by parents, legal guardians, or any other person. (For more information, see Colombian Childhood and Adolescence Code, Law 1098 of 2006).
*At times students might not recognize that they are victims of child abuse, which is why it is of critical importance that all CNG adults are consciously looking for the signs and indicators of these possible situations
PHYSICAL ABUSE
Physical abuse is inflicting physical injury on a person by other than accidental means or creating a substantial risk of physical harm to a person’s bodily functioning. It also includes committing acts that are cruel or inhumane regardless of observable injury. Such acts may include, but are not limited to, instances of extreme discipline demonstrating a disregard for a victim’s pain and/or mental suffering. Physical abuse is also assaulting or criminally mistreating a person, engaging in actions or omissions resulting in injury, or creating a substantial risk to the physical or mental health or development of a minor. Failure to take reasonable steps to prevent the occurrence of any of the above would also fall under the category of physical abuse.
POSSIBLE INDICATORS OF PHYSICAL ABUSE
Sexual violence against children and adolescents is any act of sexual behavior, with or without contact, exercised over a child or an adolescent, using force or any other type of physical, psychological, or emotional coercion, taking advantage of conditions of helplessness, inequality and relations of power between the victim and the aggressor[1] .
It is also considered sexual abuse to expose children and adolescents to pornographic images, take nude photos, or witness sexual acts either through videos or in person. Sexual abuse can be committed by adults or other children and adolescents.
*At times children might not recognize that they are being abused, which is why it is of critical importance that all CNG adults are looking for the signs and indicators for possible sexual abuse.
[1] Colombian Law Article 2, Law 1146 of 2007
POSSIBLE INDICATORS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE
It is the seduction that occurs when someone establishes a relationship, trust, and emotional connection with a child or adolescent in order to manipulate, exploit, and abuse them. The seduced children and adolescents can become victims of sexual abuse, exploitation, or trafficking.
Sexual abuse has some different characteristics from physical abuse that warrant special attention. While physical abuse often results from immediate stress and is not usually planned, sexual abuse grooming requires planning with more insidious outcomes. The planning, known as grooming, often results in victims accepting blame, responsibility, and shame for the offender's sexual behavior. Through the grooming process, many victims are taught that sex is a form of love, so they tend to develop affection for their abuser and often appear as happy and well-balanced children or adolescents without negative symptoms due to their perception of being loved.
POSSIBLE INDICATORS THAT A CHILD IS BEING GROOMED
There can be situations where sexual abuse and exploitation of children and adolescents occur using digital technology. This typically includes sexual propositions to children and adolescents grooming), creating, viewing, and distributing child sexual abuse material and self-produced sexual images, or text messages with sexual content (sexting), as well as coercion and blackmail of children and adolescents (sextortion) for sexual purposes. The abuse can be committed by an individual or criminal gangs, or by young people or adults, involving personal contact and/or online contact.
As technology advances, new forms of criminality emerge. Children who are unsupervised when using technology, have high consumption of it, possess low digital literacy (such as sharing passwords, lacking privacy controls, etc.), or have low self-esteem, are particularly vulnerable. However, any child or adolescent with digital access can be victimized.
Possible indicators of Online sexual exploitation (Grooming)
Signs that a child or adolescent is receiving sexual propositions (grooming) or being abused or exploited through digital media:
Any pattern of behavior that impairs emotional development and self-esteem, such as constant criticism, threats, verbal rejection, nicknames, insults, or regular humiliation. Non-verbal patterns of behavior may include isolation, regular ignoring, or rejecting.
POSSIBLE INDICATORS OF EMOTIONAL ABUSE
PREVENTION OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, AND DRUG USE
We firmly believe that parental support, both at school and at home, with anti-bullying policies and policies for the prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and drug use, is a fundamental part of our community values." (CNG Enrollment Agreement: Participation and Support).
Parents or guardians who provide or facilitate access to legal and/or illegal drugs for children and adolescents will be referred to the School Coexistence Committee and the authorities as necessary.
Please note that Law 124 of 1994 prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors. Anyone who provides alcoholic beverages to minors may be sanctioned according to the Police Code (of Bogotá). In addition, the Code of Childhood and Adolescence (Law 1098 of 2006) establishes that children and adolescents are protected against the use of tobacco, psychoactive substances, narcotics, or alcohol, as well as the use, recruitment, or offering of minors in activities related to promotion, production, collection, trafficking, distribution, and commercialization.
According to Law 745 of 2002, anyone who consumes narcotics or substances that cause dependency in the presence of minors may face sanctions. Furthermore, Article 4 of District Decree 587 of 2007 stipulates that a minor who is found consuming liquor or alcoholic beverages, or in a state of intoxication, at any time, will be placed in the custody of their parents or family members by the police authorities and will be summoned before the Family Defender.
Based on the regulations mentioned above, we want to emphasize that parents or guardians and CNG play a vital role in preventing the consumption of alcoholic beverages and psychoactive substances by minors, as well as being responsible for ensuring that this does not happen. As part of the education we provide at CNG, we extend an invitation to help our children and adolescents become aware of the risks associated with this matter.
Therefore, in accordance with these regulations, parents or guardians should be aware of the possible sanctions that may be imposed for failing to fulfill the duty of preventing the consumption of alcohol and psychoactive substances by minors.