Protect children and youth
Ontario’s Children’s Aid Societies are mandated by the Ontario Government to protect children from harm. Children’s Aid is the only organization with the statutory responsibility to respond to all allegations of abuse and neglect – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Children’s Aid provides critical and essential services to the most vulnerable members of our society, including child protection, family support, public adoption, and referrals to other community services.
Vulnerable families can become overwhelmed. Struggles with poverty, poor mental health, substance abuse, social isolation, or a legacy of prior family violence can in some cases be linked to family crisis and abuse.
Wherever possible, children should grow up safely with their own family, but a family in crisis is not always the safest place. The traumatic impact of emotional, physical or sexual abuse and neglect is long-lasting and can affect children or youth negatively well into adult life.
Children’s Aid works with families early on, providing essential support that helps stop crises and family violence before they occur, allowing families to heal and strengthen. The work of Children’s Aid has the potential to save the lives of young people and allow them the chance at the future they deserve, free from violence and fear.
Our programs and services utilize every available resource to make sure children and their families are given all the right supports to be successful. Children’s Aid provides assessments, crisis intervention, positive parenting programs, individual and group counseling, peer support groups and referrals to other community services.
When a child can’t stay at home because of serious safety concerns, Children’s Aid does their best to find a safe living arrangement with a relative or family friend. When that isn’t possible, the child comes into the care of Children's Aid and we match the child's needs with a foster family, kin care home or customary care giver. If the child cannot be reunited with their family, adoption may be an option. Our primary focus is always the child, and our plan for every child is to have a permanent home.
We can’t do all of this alone. Children’s Aid relies on the community partners in supporting the welfare of children and families. Every Ontarian has a moral and legal role to play in protecting children and supporting vulnerable families in our communities by being alert to the signs of abuse and knowing who to call to help a child at risk of harm.
“…tears of relief flowed down my face…I will be eternally grateful for the help we were given that allowed me to both heal and care for my children, while keeping my pride.”
“…I want to thank all of those dedicated, hardworking, devoted, and caring people: from the day workers, case workers, and support workers, to the doctors, foster parents, and volunteers. You are forever in my heart, and in every song I sing!” – Miles, former youth in care
“When I was five years old I entered the care of Children’s Aid. This single event has made all the difference in my life; there is no telling who, or where I would be, had I not been placed in care.” – Andi, former youth in care
“The Children’s Aid Society saved my life and it is hard to imagine where I’d be without their support. Thank you doesn’t quite seem to cover it, but for now that’s all I’ve got. So, thank you. For everything.” – Melissa, former youth in care
What is abuse
Child abuse has many faces, and while all abuse hurts, different kinds of abuse can hurt in different ways.
Physical Abuse
A child is at risk of or has suffered physical harm inflicted by a person having charge of the child. It also occurs when a person fails to adequately supervise, protect, care for or provide for a child. Physical abuse also includes a pattern of neglect in supervising, protecting, caring for or providing for a child.
Sexual Abuse
A child is at risk of or has been sexually molested or sexually exploited by a person having charge of a child or by another person. It also occurs when the person having charge of a child knows, or should know, of the possibility of sexual molestation or exploitation by another person and fails to protect a child.
Emotional Abuse
A child is at risk of or has suffered emotional harm demonstrated by serious anxiety, depression, withdrawal, self destructive or aggressive behaviour or delayed development and there are reasonable grounds to believe this harm results from the actions, failure to act or pattern of neglect by the person having charge of the child. It also occurs when a child exhibits the above serious behaviours and the person having charge of the child does not provide services or treatment to alleviate the harm. Emotional abuse can also include exposure to domestic violence.
Neglect
A child is at risk of or has been harmed as a result of the caregiver’s failure to adequately supervise, protect, care for or provide for a child. Neglect also occurs when a child has a medical, mental, emotional or developmental condition that requires services or treatment and the person having charge of the child does not provide these services or treatment.
Abandonment/Separation
A child has been abandoned, a child’s parent has died or is unavailable to exercise his or her custodial rights over a child and has not made adequate provision for a child’s care and custody. It also occurs when a child is in residential placement and the parent refuses or is unable or unwilling to resume the child’s care and custody.
Caregiver Capacity
No harm has come to a child and no evidence is apparent that a child may be in need of intervention. However the caregiver demonstrates, or has demonstrated in the past, characteristics that indicate the child would be at risk of harm without intervention. These characteristics can include a history of abusing/neglecting a child, being unable to protect a child from harm, problems such as drug or alcohol abuse, mental health issues or limited care giving skills.
Abused children do not always show obvious warning signs of abuse or neglect, but sometimes there are subtle indicators. Know the subtle signs of abuse and if you have any concerns at all about a child, please contact your local Children's Aid immediately.
Signs of abuse
Here are some of the most common signs of abuse. The signs and indicators of abuse and neglect may include but are not limited to those that follow. It is important to realize that the presence of any one indicator is not conclusive proof that a child has been abused. In most instances, abused children will exhibit a number of behavioural and physical indicators. It’s not your responsibility to determine whether a child is being abused. Call your local Children’s Aid to report known or suspected signs and indicators of abuse.
Neglect
Most parents and caregivers don’t intend to neglect their children. Instead, neglect is usually the result of ignorance about parenting and an inability to plan ahead. When a caregiver fails to provide a child's basic needs like food, sleep, safety, supervision, appropriate clothing or medical treatment on a consistent basis — that’s neglect.
Children suffering from neglect are often pale, listless and unkempt. They frequently miss school and may show up dressed inappropriately or in dirty clothes. The signs and indicators of abuse and neglect may include but are not limited to:
Behavioural indicators
- Pale, listless, unkempt
- Frequent absences from school
- Inappropriate clothing for the weather, dirty clothes
- Engaged in delinquent acts, alcohol/drug abuse
- Frequently forgets a lunch
Physical indicators
- Poor hygiene
- Unattended physical problems or medical needs, e.g. dental work, glasses
- Consistent lack of supervision
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is when a child is injured or harmed by his or her caregiver, or when the caregiver fails to do something to protect the child. Injuries include bruises, cuts, burns, and fractures. Children who are physically abused often can’t remember how injuries happened or they offer inconsistent stories when questioned. They might be wary of adults and extremely aggressive or extremely withdrawn. More signs and indicators of physical abuse:
Injuries may include:
bruises, welts, cuts, fractures, burns or internal injuries. Physical abuse can be one or two isolated incidents or can occur over a prolonged period of time. The signs and indicators of abuse and neglect may include but are not limited to those that follow.
Behavioural indicators
- Cannot recall how injuries occurred or offers an inconsistent explanation
- Wary of adults
- May cringe or flinch if touched unexpectedly
- Infants may display a vacant stare
- Extremely aggressive or extremely withdrawn
- Indiscriminately seeks affection
- Extremely compliant and/or eager to please
Physical indicators
- Injuries that are not consistent with explanation
- Presence of several injuries that are in various stages of healing
- Presence of various injuries over a period of time
- Facial injuries in infants and preschool children
- Injuries inconsistent with the child's age and developmental phase
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse happens when a caregiver treats a child in an extremely negative way that damages self esteem and the concept of “self.” This type of behaviour might include constant yelling, demeaning remarks, rejection or isolation or exposing a child to domestic violence.
Emotional abuse can be difficult to identify, but some behavioural indicators include inhibition in play, severe depression and extreme withdrawal or aggressiveness. Children may complain of headaches, nausea or abdominal pain. The signs and indicators of abuse and neglect may include but are not limited to:
Behavioural indicators
- Severe depression
- Extreme withdrawal or aggressiveness
- Overly compliant, too well mannered, too neat or clean
- Extreme attention seeking
- Displays extreme inhibition in play
Physical indicators
- Bed wetting that is non-medical in origin
- Frequent psychosomatic complaints, headaches, nausea, abdominal pains
- Child fails to thrive
Sexual abuse*
Sexual abuse is any sexual exploitation of a child by a caregiver or someone else and includes sexual touching, engaging in sexual activity with a child, exposing genitals to a child and incest. Physical signs that a child has been sexually abused include excessive itching in the genital or anal areas, torn, stained or bloody underwear and injuries to the genital area. Behavioural signs include age inappropriate sexually explicit drawings, displaying sexual acts or unusual sexual knowledge. The signs and indicators of abuse and neglect may include but are not limited to:
Behavioural indicators
- Age inappropriate play of a sexual nature with toys, self or others
- Age inappropriate sexually explicit drawing and/or descriptions
- Bizarre, sophisticated or unusual sexual knowledge
- Prostitution
- Seductive behaviours
Physical indicators
- Unusual or excessive itching in the genital or anal area
- Torn, stained or bloody underwear (may be observed if the child needs bathroom assistance)
- Pregnancy
- Injuries to the genital or anal areas, e.g. bruising, swelling or infection
- Venereal disease
*In addition to providing protection from sexual abuse, the Child and Family Services Act states that a child is also in need of protection when a caregiver is aware of the possibility of abuse and fails to protect the child.
How it happens
Abuse and neglect of a child can happen in two ways – in acts of commission (doing something to a child) and in acts of omission (not doing something for a child).
An act of commission is specifically when a parent or caregiver harms or is likely to harm a child. For example, striking a child or sexually molesting a child is an act of commission.
An act of abuse or neglect through omission results from a caregiver not taking action to protect a child. For example, allowing a small child to play near a busy street unsupervised or allowing a known sexual offender to be alone with your child could be acts of omission.
If you have protection concerns about a child, please contact your local Children’s Aid IMMEDIATELY.
Why it happens
There is no one reason that children come to need services from a Children’s Aid Society. Often multiple social factors combine to create the need for Children’s Aid to be involved with a child or family. Sometimes parents need help with parenting skills. Other times, families contact Children’s Aid directly to get help with circumstances that are beyond their control relating to their children.
Mental Health
Twenty-seven percent of the substantiated child maltreatment investigations in Canada reported that the primary caregiver had mental health issues.7 More than 21 percent of adult Ontarians will be diagnosed with mental health issues such as schizophrenia, de¬pression, bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders in their lifetime.1
In 2007, one-third of children seeking mental health services were still waiting at the end of the year.2 The insufficient availability of supports and services can put additional strain on families who are either coping with a mental health issue themselves or trying to help a child who has a mental health issue.
Mental health and substance use problems are major health issues in Canada. More than 50 percent of those seeking help for an addiction are also experiencing a mental illness, and 15–20 percent of those seeking help from mental health services also live with an addiction.3 The inter-connectedness of these social factors increases the risk of neglect or abuse to children and youth living in families who are experiencing these issues.
Poverty
Job loss, financial difficulties and high living costs create additional strain on families and can make it challenging to meet basic needs such as food, clothing and housing. These stressors challenge parents’ abilities to care and can endanger the safety and well-being of children and youth.
While poverty on its own does not result in child abuse and neglect, research clearly indentifies a link between poverty and child abuse, mental health issues and woman abuse.4,5 More than 12 percent of Ontario’s families live below the poverty line, in im¬poverished conditions.6 Ontario remains Canada’s “child poverty” capital with almost 412,000 children and youth (more than 1 in every 6) living in impoverished conditions.7 The reliance on social services has increased by 60 percent since the economic crisis began in 2008 and community support agencies are continuing to see an increase in accessed services and client needs. 8,9
Substance Abuse
Substance abuse refers to drug addiction, alcohol abuse or a combination of the two and is detrimental to an individual’s physical and mental health, or the welfare of others. In the most recent Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect (2010), it was reported that in 38 percent of substantiated child maltreatment investigations the primary caregiver had alcohol or drug/solvent abuse issues.10
Substance abuse can cause parents to neglect, abuse and endanger their children. According to research by Walsh, MacMillian and Jamieson, parental substance abuse is associated with more than double the rate in risk of exposure to physical and sexual abuse for their children.11
1 Public Health Agency of Canada, Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect 2008: Major Findings, Ottawa 2010.
2 Canadian Mental Health Organization. How many people have mental illness? Accessed March 22, 2010 www.cmha.ab.ca
3 Children’s Mental Health Ontario (2009).
4 Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse. Substance Abuse in Canada: Concurrent Disorders. Accessed on March 1, 2011. www.ccsa.ca/eng
5 Leschied, Whitehead, Hurley, & Chiodo (2003). The Association of Poverty and Child Welfare Services with Clinical Family Outcomes. London, Ontario: The University of Western Ontario.
6 Baer, Leschied, Aviston & Liston (1995). The impact of economic change on some of London’s Community Services: Critical issues for service planning and coordination. OACAS Journal 39 (2).
7 Camapgin 2000 (2010). Report Card on Child and Family Poverty in Ontario, Poverty Reduction: Keys to Economic Recovery for Ontario Families
8 Campaign 2000 (2008). 2008 Report Card on Child and Family Poverty in Ontario, Poverty Reduction: Key to Economic Recovery for Ontario Families.
9 Campaign 2000 (2010). 2010 Report Card on Child and Family Poverty in Ontario, Poverty Reduction: Key to Economic Recovery for Ontario Families.
10 Social Planning Network of Ontario (2009). Hard Hit: Impact of the Economic Downturn on Nonprofit Community Social Services in Ontario.
11 Public Health Agency of Canada (2010). Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect 2008: Major Findings.
12 Walsh, C., Harriet, L., & Jamieson, E. (2003). The relationship between parental substance abuse and child maltreatment: Findings from the Ontario Health Supplement. Child Abuse & Neglect, 27 (12), p.1409-1425.
How to report abuse
Child abuse is everyone’s responsibility and we need everyone’s help to protect children by reporting known or suspected child abuse. It’s the right thing to do, morally and legally. Under Section 72 of the Child and Family Services Act, everyone is obligated to report their suspicions to their local Children’s Aid.
Read Marian’s story about reporting child abuse.
You don’t need to be sure! If you suspect that a child is being abused, call your local Children’s Aid right away. We will act immediately on your call, and take the appropriate next steps. If you know for certain that a child is being abused or you suspect that a child is at risk of being harmed, you should call your local Children’s Aid immediately. We are available 24-hours a day to talk about your concerns, and the information you give us, including your identity, will remain confidential, when possible.
How to report abuse
Why should I call?
What is my duty to report?
What happens when I call?
What happens during an investigation?
Why should I call?
Ontario’s children are precious and the most vulnerable citizens in society, they deserve a life free of fear and violence. Every Ontarian can protect children by being alert to the subtle and obvious signs of abuse and knowing who to call to help a child at risk of harm. It’s the right thing to do.
What is my duty to report?
All Ontarians have an ongoing, legal obligation to directly and promptly contact their local Children’s Aid if they suspect a child is or may be in need of protection. In addition, every person who performs professional or official duties with respect to children is subject to a penalty if they fail to report information related to a child they suspect is or may be abused or neglected. (CFSA s.72)
What happens when I call?
When you call, you will speak to a child welfare specialist who is specially trained to listen to your concerns and ask questions before deciding how urgent the situation is and what type of intervention is needed. If a child is in imminent danger, a child protection worker will respond immediately.
Children’s Aid workers are professionals who evaluate your information using comprehensive guidelines to determine the risk in each situation. Child protection workers, using clear standards and guidelines, determine the kind of support and service needed to keep children safe in situations involving child maltreatment. A typical response to a child protection concern will include checking a computer database to see if the family or child has been involved with Children's Aid in the past. Many factors are considered when determining how to investigate your concerns, including the age of the child, presence of physical injuries and other red flags that may indicate risk of harm.
Every report received by Children's Aid is reviewed by a child protection worker who then consults with a supervisor to determine the appropriate response time. Individual circumstances and level of risk for the children involved determine the response times.
If you have protection concerns about a child, please contact your local Children’s Aid IMMEDIATELY.
What happens during an investigation?
To begin the investigation, the worker may interview the child, family members or others who are involved to determine if abuse has occurred or if the child is at risk of being abused. If the child is not at risk, the investigation is then complete and the worker may refer the child and family to community agencies for further support. If the abuse is substantiated, the worker will plan a strategy to ensure the child is safe and the family gets the help it needs. While in most cases the family remains together while working with Children's Aid and community services, it is sometimes necessary to take the children out of the home to keep them safe. If it's decided that children must be taken out of their home to keep them safe, they may be placed with extended family, a foster family or customary care.
For more information about your duty to report, please contact your local Children’s Aid IMMEDIATELY.
