Sexual Violence & Child Protection

What is Sexual Violence?

Any sexual act or act targeting a person’s sexuality, gender identity or gender expression. This act may be physical or psychological in nature and is committed, threatened or attempted against a person without the person’s consent. 
Examples of Sexual Violence
Sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, indecent exposure, voyeurism, gender-based harassment or violence, cyber sexual violence, and sexual exploitation.

What is Child Protection?

Protecting against child abuse and child neglect or harm. Child abuse can present as physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, verbal abuse, spiritual abuse, incest, neglect, and witnessing domestic violence.

Ways to Protect Children from Abuse or Harm: Mandated Reporting

Mandated reporting is also known as “duty to report”. It generally refers to the professional obligation of individuals to protect children who are at risk of abuse, neglect or harm. Child protection laws vary by provincial or state legislation. 
A professional must have reasonable grounds to suspect that the child or youth is in danger or at risk. Professionals generally include: healthcare workers, teachers, operators and employees of child care centres/youth programs/ camps, police & lawyers.
Typically, “a child” is an individual under the age of 16 years; however, it may refer to youth or an individual under the age of 18 in some areas.
Reporting suspicion of abuse, neglect or harm is a valid ground for a professional to breach confidentiality.

Signs of Child Abuse or Neglect

*DISCLAIMER* If unsure whether a practice is abusive or culturally safe, consult a child protection or social work professional.
  • Poor hygiene such as refusing to shower, foul body odour.
  • Mental health struggles such as depression, anxiety, dark thoughts, suicidal ideology.
  •  Inappropriate sexual play such as violent or aggressive sexual play with dolls, toys, role play with friends.
  •  Hiding or secretly using social media.
  •  Attention-seeking behaviours.
  •  Violent or disturbing drawings/art.
  • Obsessive compulsive behaviours such as showering constantly, changing clothes multiple times a day, making wudu constantly. Abrupt decline in school performance or attendance at the masjid.
 
  • Becoming non-verbal, suddenly retreating by not speaking to others.
  • Self-harming behaviours such as skin picking, cutting, pulling hair, peeling nails.
  • Disruptions in sleep such as insomnia or inability to wake up, nightmares, night terrors, sleep walking, bedwetting.
  • Wounds or bruising on genitals, urinary infections.
  • Persistent headaches or stomach aches with no medical cause.
  • Acting out, aggression or violence towards others.
  • Child is afraid to go home, to the mosque, or to a specific person’s home.

Hurma Related Resources

Hurma Podcast

Season 2, Episode 4: Protecting Children
Imam Mohamed Magid & Magda Saleh
Listen to Episode
Season 1, Episode 7: Responding to Disclosures of Sexual Assault
Nadiah Mohajir
Listen to Episode

Videos

Handbook

Responding with RAHMA – Removing Roadblocks for Muslim Survivors of Sexual Violence

Read Handbook
Henna Khawja

Mental Health Advisor

Henna Khawja is a Registered Social Worker with a special focus on the spectrum of gender based violence in Muslim communities. With over twelve years in the field, Henna currently works in sexual violence prevention and education with the University of Toronto, and is a Psychotherapist in private practice. Henna has worked with children, youth and adults in community, legal, child protection, corporate and university settings. Henna has also acted as the first Clinical Director for the Islamic Family and Social Services Association (IFSSA) in Edmonton, Alberta. Over the years, she has focused her work on supporting Survivors of trauma and violence along their healing journeys (including but not limited to gender based, spiritual, domestic, intimate partner, sexual, family, intergenerational, community violence). Henna has extensive experience working with Muslim & racialized communities in both Canada and the USA, as well as Pakistan and Zanzibar.

If you would like to connect with Henna for support and/or questions, please click here.