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Difference between revisions of "Reporting Suspected Child Abuse"
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Reporting Suspected Child Abuse (view source)
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===Child welfare may decide to conduct an investigation=== | ===Child welfare may decide to conduct an investigation=== | ||
If you report allegations of serious abuse or neglect, the child welfare worker may decide to conduct a child abuse investigation. This involves seeing and talking to the child and people who know the child, such as parents, extended family, a teacher, doctor or child-care provider. If the child is Aboriginal, their band or community may also be involved. | If you report allegations of serious abuse or neglect, the child welfare worker may decide to conduct a '''child abuse investigation'''. This involves seeing and talking to the child and people who know the child, such as parents, extended family, a teacher, doctor or child-care provider. If the child is Aboriginal, their band or community may also be involved. | ||
If the allegations involve physical or sexual abuse, the child welfare worker will also advise the police, who may conduct their own investigation as well. | If the allegations involve physical or sexual abuse, the child welfare worker will also advise the police, who may conduct their own investigation as well. | ||
The investigation of abuse cases is sensitive to the feelings of children. Whenever possible, the Ministry of Children and Family Development and the police conduct a joint investigation to reduce the number of interviews and the anxiety felt by a child involved in the process. | The investigation of abuse cases is sensitive to the feelings of children. Whenever possible, the Ministry of Children and Family Development and the police conduct a joint investigation to reduce the number of interviews and the anxiety felt by a child involved in the process. | ||
Common questions | |||
Will the child be removed from the home? | ==Common questions== | ||
Children can only be removed from their homes if nothing less disruptive will protect them. If a child is in danger of continued abuse or neglect and there are no other ways of keeping the child safe, the child may be taken into the care of the Ministry of Children and Family Development. Alternatively, the child may be placed with a relative or other person who has a significant relationship with the child. If a child is removed from their home, a court process starts. For more detail, see our information on child protection and removal (no. 141). | |||
What about criminal charges? | ===Will the child be removed from the home?=== | ||
Children can only be removed from their homes if nothing less disruptive will protect them. If a child is in danger of continued abuse or neglect and there are no other ways of keeping the child safe, the child may be taken into the care of the Ministry of Children and Family Development. Alternatively, the child may be placed with a relative or other person who has a significant relationship with the child. If a child is removed from their home, a court process starts. For more detail, see our information on [[Child Protection and Removal (Script 141)|child protection and removal (no. 141)]]. | |||
===What about criminal charges?=== | |||
If the police determine that a criminal offence has been committed, they may decide to recommend criminal charges against the abuser that will result in criminal court hearings. The prosecutor works with the police and the Ministry of Children and Family Development in alleged child abuse cases to make the court experience less upsetting for a child. | If the police determine that a criminal offence has been committed, they may decide to recommend criminal charges against the abuser that will result in criminal court hearings. The prosecutor works with the police and the Ministry of Children and Family Development in alleged child abuse cases to make the court experience less upsetting for a child. | ||
What if there is a family court proceeding? | |||
Under the provincial Family Law Act, family violence, which includes child abuse, is a factor the court must consider when making decisions about children. The court must also consider whether the child was directly or indirectly exposed to other family violence in the home. | ===What if there is a family court proceeding?=== | ||
The presence of family violence may result in the suspected abuser having limited or no time with a child, or having time with the child on conditions such as supervision. It is also possible to ask the court for a protection order to protect the well being of the child and limit the child’s time with or exposure to the suspected abuser. Anyone can apply for a protection order on behalf of someone they believe is at risk of family violence. For more on protection orders, see our information on family violence (no. 155). | Under the provincial ''Family Law Act'', family violence, which includes child abuse, is a factor the court must consider when making decisions about children. The court must also consider whether the child was directly or indirectly exposed to other family violence in the home. | ||
Get help | |||
The presence of family violence may result in the suspected abuser having limited or no time with a child, or having time with the child on conditions such as supervision. It is also possible to ask the court for a '''protection order''' to protect the well being of the child and limit the child’s time with or exposure to the suspected abuser. Anyone can apply for a protection order on behalf of someone they believe is at risk of family violence. For more on protection orders, see our information on [[Family Violence (Script 155)|family violence (no. 155)]]. | |||
==Get help== | |||
As a victim of abuse | As a victim of abuse | ||
Children who would like to talk to someone can call the Helpline for Children. This confidential service operates at any time of the day or night. | Children who would like to talk to someone can call the Helpline for Children. This confidential service operates at any time of the day or night. | ||
