ABSTRACT
This chapter explores how students and teachers can be prepared to meet the needs of pupils who have suffered from abuse. It discusses the important role which the affective domain plays in pupil achievement and emotional welfare, specifically in relation to children who are abused. Child protection can be construed as an equal opportunities issue, because children who are maltreated suffer unique and pervasive disadvantage due to the harm inflicted upon them. Every school and college should develop a child protection policy which reflects its statutory duties and pastoral responsibilities. The teacher's role in child protection becomes relevant when assessing the academic achievements of under-performing and non-conforming pupils. There is a crucial role for teachers in assessing the ability of children to learn given their home circumstances. The ways in which schools can contribute to the prevention of violence and abuse through behaviour, bullying and child protection policies has been well documented at international, national and local levels.
