How to Report Suspected Child Abuse?

Alberta – Child, Youth, and Family Enhancement Act, section 4 (1)

If you are concerned for the safety or wellbeing of a child (under 18 years of age) in Alberta, please contact the Alberta Child Intervention Services at 1-800-638-0715. You can also call the Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-387-5437 (KIDS) to speak with a caseworker. If a child is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1 or your local police

Call: Alberta Child Intervention Services: 1-800-638-0715.

For more information: http://www.humanservices.alberta.ca/abuse-bullying/14841.html

British Columbia – Child, Family, and Community Service Act, section 14 (1)

If you think a child (under 19 years of age) is being abused or neglected, you have the legal duty to report your concern to a child welfare worker, call 1-800 663-9122 and your call will be answered by the Provincial Centralized Screening team. If a child is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1 or your local police

Call: Provincial Centralized Screening: 1-800-663-9122

For more information: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/public-safety/protecting-children/reporting-child-abuse

Manitoba – Child and Family Service Act of Manitoba, section 18 (1)

If, in your honest judgment, you believe that a child (under 18 years of age) may not be safe, you are legally required to report it. This also applies if information is obtained through a professional, confidential relationship. If a child is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1 or your local police

■ You do not have to prove or be sure that the abuse is occurring.

■ The obligation to report also applies to allegations of past abuse.

■ Even if you think someone else is reporting the situation, you must still report it.

■ All reports will be followed up by a CFS agency.

■ The CFS agency response will vary: community supports, protective services, supports in the home or removal of the child(ren).

■ Where applicable, follow your workplace guidelines or procedures for reporting suspected child abuse.

■ Your individual obligation to report abuse supersedes all internal organizational policies and procedures.

■ Reporting does not require staff consensus or the approval of your supervisor.

■ No retaliatory action can be taken against a person who, in good faith, reports information about suspected child abuse.

■ You cannot be dismissed, suspended, demoted, disciplined, harassed or disadvantaged.

■ Your identity is protected and kept confidential, except as required in the course of judicial proceedings or with your written consent.

Call: Child and Family Services – 1-866-345-9241

For more information: https://www.gov.mb.ca/fs/childcare/resources/pubs/ece_protocol_factsheet.pdf

New Brunswick – Family Services Act, section 30 (1)

The Family Services Act requires that any person who suspects that a child (under 19 years of age) is being abused or neglected must immediately report those suspicions to an office of Social Development. If the child is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local police. This must be done even if the person obtained this information through a professional practice or within a confidential relationship.

Call: (1-833-733-7835) After Hours Emergency Social Services 1-800-442-9799

For more information: http://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/sd-ds/pdf/Protection/Child/booklet-e.pdf

Newfoundland and Labrador – Child, Youth and Family Services Act, section 15

In Newfoundland and Labrador it is everyone’s responsibility to report any information dealing with child abuse. If you suspect that a child (under 19 years of age) has been abused or if a child tells you that he/she has been abused, it is the law to report it immediately to your local Regional Health Authority or if the child is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local police.

Contact your local reporting centre:

Eastern Regional Health Authority (709) 752-4238, After Hours (709) 752-4619

Central Regional Health Authority (709) 292-1210, After Hours (709) 292-2500

Western Regional Health Authority (709) 637-2686, After Hours (709) 632-1577

Labrador-Grenfell Regional Health Authority (709) 896-9170, After Hours (709) 897-2000

For more information: https://www.gov.nl.ca/cssd/childprotection/report/

Northwest Territories – Child and Family Services Act, section 8 (1)

Under section 8 (1) of the Child and Family Services Act, it is stated that a person who has information of the need of protection of a child (under 19 years of age) shall, without delay, report the matter to a Child Protection Worker; or if a Child Protection Worker is not available, to a peace officer or an authorized person. Subsection (1) does not require a person to report information received in the course of a judicial proceeding. Every person who contravenes subsection (1) is guilty of an offense and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both

Contact your local reporting centre: http://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/en/content/contact-us/social-services-office

For more information: http://www.gov.yk.ca/legislation/acts/chfase_c.pdf

Ontario – Child and Family Services Act, section 72 (1)

Everyone, including members of the public and professionals who work closely with children, is required by law to report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect. If you have reasonable grounds to suspect that a child (under 18 years of age) is or may be in need of protection, you must report it to a children’s aid society (CAS). If a child is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1 or your local police

Contact your local reporting centre: http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/childrensaid/reportingabuse/CASLocations.aspx

For more information: http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/childrensaid/reportingabuse/abuseandneglect.aspx

Nova Scotia – Children and Family Services Act, section 23 (1)

Every individual in the province of Nova Scotia has a legal obligation to report concerns of abuse or neglect of a child (under 19 years of age) in order to ensure children are protected from harm. Failure to report is a criminal offence.

Contact your local reporting centre: http://novascotia.ca/coms/department/contact/index.html

For more information: https://novascotia.ca/coms/families/changestoCFSA/Duty-to-Report.pdf

Nunavat – The Child and Family Services Act of Nunavut

It is your duty to report child abuse or neglect (under 19 years of age). Call your Community Social Services Worker, or in an emergency, call your local RCMP detachment. If there are children in the home, the RCMP will contact a social worker.

Everyone is responsible for protecting children. Contact your Community Social Services Worker for assistance and support in ensuring children are safe from abuse and neglect.

Contact your local reporting centre: https://gov.nu.ca/family-services/information/children-family-services 
or local RCMP office – https://gov.nu.ca/sites/default/files/Social-Services-Offices.pdf

For more information: https://gov.nu.ca/family-services/information/family-violence

Prince Edward Island – Child Protection Act, section 10 (1)

By law, all Islanders have to call Child Protection when they think a child (under 18 years of age) is being abused or neglected by a parent.

You must call Child Protection if you think:

• A child is being physically, sexually or emotionally hurt by a parent;
• A child has been hurt and a parent did not prevent it but could have;
• A child is living in a home where there is domestic violence;
• A child is being neglected by their parent.

If you think a child is unsafe with their parent, you must call Child Protection.

Call: Business Hours – 1.877.341.3101. After Business Hours – 1.800.341.6868

For more information: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/services-a-famille-et-a-personne/child-protection

Quebec – Youth Protection Act of Quebec, section 39

Under the Youth Protection Act of Quebec, section 39 states that any professional who provides care or dispenses services to children or adolescents, any employee of an institution, any teacher or any policeman has an obligation to report all situations, even if that person has privileged information, if he/she has reason to believe the child (under 18 years of age) is in any way in danger. Additionally, any person, other than a person referred to above, who has reasonable grounds to believe has suffered physical or sexual abuse is obligated bring the situation to the attention of the director*. Any person, other than a person referred to previously, may report suspicions of abandonment, neglect, psychological ill-treatment or behaviour disturbances to the director but are not obligated to.

*means the director of youth protection appointed for an institution operating a child and youth protection centre; 

Contact your local reporting centre: http://www.cdpdj.qc.ca/en/droits-de-la-jeunesse/Pages/DPJ.aspx

For more information: http://legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/ShowDoc/cs/P-34.1

Saskatchewan – Child and Family Services Act, section 12 (1)

Anyone having reasonable suspicion that a child’s (under 18 years of age) physical or mental health or welfare has been, or may be, impacted by abuse or neglect has a legal duty to report such information immediately to a local Ministry of Social Services Child Protection Office or First Nations Child and Family Services. If a child is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1 or your local police

Call Ministry of Social Services Child Protection Lines:

Regina (South) 1-844-787-3760

Prince Albert (North) 1-866-719-6164

Saskatoon (Centre) 1-800-274-8297

For more information: http://publications.gov.sk.ca/documents/17/85210-Duty-to-report.pdf

Yukon – Child and Family Services Act, section 22 (1)

All Yukoners are required by law to report suspected child abuse. To talk to someone about suspected child abuse (under 19 years of age)contact Family and Children’s Services at 867-667-3002 or your regional social worker. You can also contact the RCMP to report your concerns at 867-667-5555.

Call: Family and Children’s Services at 1.867-667-3002 or your local RCMP at 1.867.667.5555

For more information: http://www.hss.gov.yk.ca/childabuse.php