October is Child Abuse Prevention Month – Do You Know What to Do?
Learning about child abuse and neglect
In Ontario, 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.
We all share a responsibility to protect children and youth from harm – a responsibility that extends to those situations where children may be at risk, suffer abuse and/or neglect in their own homes. Ontario’s Child and Family Services Act provides protection for these children and youth.
The Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect: It’s Your Duty brochure explains the duty to report and provides answers to common questions about your reporting responsibilities. It does not provide legal advice. Please contact a lawyer or a children’s aid society if you have questions about a specific situation.
What happens when you report to a CAS?
Resource Kit and Additional Information:
The Ministry of Children & Youth Services offers a resource kit with posters, informational brochures and other materials that you can use to help promote child abuse prevention and awareness. Download our resource kit (ZIP – 37 MB). If you have reasonable grounds to suspect that a child is or may be in need of protection, you must report it to a Children’s Aid Society (CAS). Learn how to recognize the signs of child abuse and neglect.
