Family Violence Initiative

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Child Abuse is Wrong: What Can I Do?

Who can help?

You are responsible for the safety of your children. If you or your partner is struggling to be a good parent, but you think you could do better, ask for help.

You might want to make a list of places where you can ask for help. The list below can help you find people or groups that might be able to help you with information, support or emergency assistance.

These numbers or links may change. Remember to keep them up-to-date.

Aboriginal services

May be able to help Aboriginal children. For information on resources and government programs and services, see the Aboriginal Canada Portal at www.aboriginalcanada.gc.ca

Child protection services

For more information about the child protection laws in your province or territory, see Child Protection Services in Canada on the Department of Justice site for children and youth at http://familyviolencehurts.gc.ca. Your local child protection services office can also give you information about laws in your province or territory.

Department of Foreign Affairs

For more information about parental child abduction, visit the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada website at www.voyage.gc.ca. Look under "Publications" for a booklet called "International Child Abductions: A Manual for Parents."

Department of Justice Canada

Provides links to information about the law in Canada: canada.justice.gc.ca/eng/index.html Provides information for kids on family violence and the law in Canada: www.familyviolencehurts.gc.ca

Help lines for children and parents

May be able to provide information and refer you to the appropriate services for children. For example, see www.KidsHelpPhone.ca.

Legal services

Legal help may be available from a lawyer or a legal aid office.^* Contact a lawyer referral service, a legal aid office, or a public legal education and information association to find out where you can get legal help and if you can get help free of charge.

Medical services

Your local hospital, doctor, nurse, health clinic, or medical help line may be able to help you with your child's medical or health needs.

Multicultural and immigrant serving organizations

May be able to give you information and refer you to helpful services. See also, the Citizenship and Immigration Canada Directory of Newcomer Services at: www.servicesfornewcomers.cic.gc.ca

Police

Many police officers are trained to respond to child abuse. The police can help you assess a child's safety and take action against someone committing a crime in non-emergency situations. Check the first few pages of your telephone book for the phone number. Call 9-1-1 in an emergency.

Provincial and territorial youth advocates

Most of the provinces and territories have created independent children's commissioners, advocates or ombudspersons.

Alberta

The Child and Youth Advocate

British Columbia

Representative for Children and Youth

Manitoba

The Office of the Children's Advocate

Newfoundland

Office of the Child and Youth Advocate

New Brunswick

Child and Youth Advocate

Nova Scotia

Office of the Ombudsman, Youth Services

Ontario

The Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth

Quebec

Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Children's Advocate

Yukon

Yukon Child and Youth Advocate

Public health and social services

Call your provincial or territorial government for information about health and social support services in your community or ask your local community centre for advice. They may be able to offer information, counselling and provide referrals to social workers.

Public Health Agency of Canada

Provides links to information and resources on child abuse through the National Clearinghouse on Family Violence at: www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ncfv-cnivf/sources/nfnts-eng.php

Public legal education and information programs

Can provide general information about the law, the legal system, and the rights of an abused child. See more information on family violence and child abuse on the Department of Justice Canada's Family Violence Initiative Website: www.justice.gc.ca/eng/pi/fv-vf/plei-vij/index.html

RCMP

The RCMP website at www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca also has information on child abuse.

For information on child abuse, go to "Publications" and look under "Crime Prevention" for "Stopping Child Abuse—Protecting Our Future".

For information on parental child abduction, search for "Our Missing Children."

Victim services

Victim services organizations work with the police to help victims of crime. They can refer you to counselling and tell you about programs and services for child victims of crime. See the Victim Services Directory on the Policy Centre for Victim Issues website to find services across Canada, at: www.justice.gc.ca/eng/pi/pcvi-cpcv/vsd-rsv/index.html

Other

Look for other sources of help. You may find help from a local community centre, your doctor's office, public health nurse, a teacher, religious leader or a social agency. Organizations that work to prevent child abuse might also be able to give you more information. See, for example, the Canadian Centre for Child Protection at www.protectchildren.ca

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