Public Speech - Child Protection

I am not a burden, I am just a child (Non, 2011).

Welcome to this public speech on child protection. A child is a person
under the age of 18 years, excluding a person who is or has been married
(Skills, 2015). It is our duty as young and upcoming teachers to protect
our students so they can have the best learning experience as possible. A
proper balance must be struck between protecting children and respecting
the rights and needs of parents/carers and families. Where there is
conflict, the childs welfare must come first. Children have a right to be
heard, listened to and taken seriously.
Abuse is harm or threating. In relation to child abuse the GMIT hand book
(GMIT, 2015) and Child Protection act outline four different types:

Neglect child being underweight, poor clothing,

Physical abuse a child having bruises, bite marks, being fearful
Emotional abuse - Child feels humiliated, judged, abandoned
Sexual abuse Child suffering stomach aches, genital pain and
withdrawn from others.

(Non, 2011), (GMIT, 2015)

These are very delicate issues so as young teachers we need to be aware

of the correct procedure in relation to Child Protection. Child protection
refers to prevention and response to violence, exploitation and abuse of
children in all contexts (Skills, 2015). We have to be the voice for children;
they are not burdens, just innocent children. If a student comes to us with
an issue we need to assure them that they did the right thing by telling
you and that something will be done to help them. Each school has a
Designated Liaison Person which should be informed as they deal with
child protection concerns (Skills, 2015). The Child and Family Agency know
as TULSA is now the dedicated State agency responsible for improving
wellbeing and outcomes for children.
In our classrooms we can relate to Abraham Maslow hierarchy of needs.
We have a role to help develop the child in their growth. In the classroom
we can employ little tasks to allow the child to feel safe in the room, feel
like they belong there, and also to improve their self-esteem (Logue
Collins, 2014, p. 44). This can be done like we did before the speech, by

engaging in a simple conversation, just checking in politely with a student

with a simple, how are you today? This simple action can help build a trust
with a student, and hopefully with time we can help each student to be on
their way to reach self-actualization.
I would like to sincerely like to thank you all for your time today and I hope
that this speech has enlightened you all in the area of child protection.
Before I leave I would just like to leave you all on one thought:
I am not a burden, I am just a child (Non, 2011).

Thank you.

Bibliography
GMIT. (2015). Child Protection Reporting Policy. Retrieved March 2, 2015, from
GMIT:
http://www.gmit.ie/sites/default/files/public/directorate/docs/academicpolicy-no8.pdf
Logue Collins, P. (2014). Key Thinkers in Education. Letterfrack, Galway, Ireland.
Non. (2011, April 30). Stop Child Abuse - Persuasive Speech. Retrieved March 5,
2015, from Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnCqWzG_frs
Skills, D. o. (2015). Child Protection. Retrieved March 2, 2015, from Education.ie:
http://www.education.ie/en/Parents/Information/Child-Protection/