WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU CALL

TYPES OF ABUSE
Child abuse has many faces, and while all abuse hurts, different kinds of abuse can hurt in different ways.
Your call is received by a child welfare professional who has
Physical Abuse: A child is at risk of or has destructive or aggessive behaviours or delayed Abandonment/Separation: A child has been been trained to listen to your concerns and ask questions
suffered physical harm inflicted by a person development and there are reasonable grounds abandoned, a child’s parent has died or is un- before deciding how urgent the situation is and what type of
having charge of the child. It also occurs when to believe this harm results from the actions, available to exercise his or her custodial rights intervention is needed.
a person fails to adequately supervise, protect, failure to act or pattern of neglect by the person over a child and has not made adequate provi-
care for or provide for a child. Physical abuse having charge of the child. It also occurs when sion for a child’s care and custody. It also occurs
also includes a pattern of neglect in supervising, a child exhibits the above serious behaviours when a child is in residential placement and the
protecting, caring for or providing for a child. and the person having charge of the child does parent refuses or is unable or unwilling to
not provide services or treatment to alleviate the resume the child’s care and custody.
Sexual Abuse: A child is at risk of or has been
harm. Emotional abuse can also include Caregiver Capacity: No harm has come to a IF A CHILD IS IN Children’s Aid professionals
sexually molested or sexually exploited by a
exposure to domestic violence. child and no evidence is apparent that a child IMMINENT DANGER, use comprehensive guide-
person having charge of a child or by another
may be in need of intervention. However the A CHILD PROTECTION lines to determine the risk
person. It also occurs when the person having Neglect: A child is at risk of or has been harmed
caregiver demonstrates, or has demonstrated in PROFESSIONAL WILL in each situation and then
charge of a child knows, or should know, of the as a result of the caregiver’s failure to adequately
the past, characteristics that indicate the child RESPOND IMMEDIATELY. determine the kind of
possibility of sexual molestation or exploita- supervise, protect, care for or provide for a child.
would be at risk of harm without intervention. WE ARE AVAILABLE support and service needed
tion by another person and fails to protect Neglect also occurs when a child has a medical,
These characteristics can include a history of 24/7, 365 to keep children safe in
a child. mental, emotional or developmental condition
abusing/neglecting a child, being unable to DAYS A YEAR situations involving child
Emotional Abuse: A child is at risk of or has that requires services or treatment and the maltreatment.
person having charge of the child does not protect a child from harm, problems such as
suffered emotional harm demonstrated by
provide these services or treatment. drug or alcohol abuse, mental health issues or
serious anxiety, depression, withdrawal, self
limited care giving skills.

Abused children do not always show obvious warning signs of abuse or neglect, but sometimes
Children’s Aid is required to place information
there are subtle indicators. Know the subtle signs of abuse and if you have any concerns at all regarding the investigation on a child protection
about a child, please contact your local Children's Aid immediately. provincial database.

WHAT IS YOUR Many factors are considered when determining how

DUTY TO REPORT? Why call? to investigate your concerns, including the age of the
child, presence of physical injuries and other red flags
Ontario’s children are precious and that may indicate harm.
All Ontarians have an ongoing, legal obligation the most vulnerable citizens in society,
to directly and promptly contact their local they deserve a life free of fear and Every report received by Children's Aid is reviewed
violence. Every Ontarian can protect children by a child protection professional who then consults
Children’s Aid if they suspect a child is or may by being alert to the subtle and obvious
with a supervisor to determine the appropriate response
time. Individual circumstances and level of risk for
be in need of protection. In addition, every signs of abuse and knowing when and the children involved determine the response times.
person who performs professional or official who to call to help a child at risk of harm.
duties with respect to children is subject to a If you have ongoing concerns, call
penalty if they fail to report information related your local Children’s Aid. HELP PROTECT CHILDREN
to a child they suspect is or may be abused It’s the right thing to do. IN YOUR COMMUNITY
or neglected. (Child and Family Services Act s.72) useyourvoice.ca
useyourvoice.ca
 It takes one S I G N S O F A B U S E
It is important to realize that the presence of any one
c a l l to save indicator does not mean that a child has been abused.
In most instances, abused children will exhibit a number

a child’s
of behavioural and physical indicators. It’s not your
responsibility to determine if a child is being abused. Call
your local Children’s Aid to report known or suspected

L I F E .
Why educate the
CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION
signs and indicators of abuse. Learn more at useyourvoice.ca
public?
PHYSICAL ABUSE:
Every Ontarian has a Physical indicators: Behavioural indicators:
- injuries that are not consistent - cannot recall how injuries occured or
responsibility to protect In almost 90% of with explanation offers an inconsistent explanation
children by being alert to cases where Children’s - presence of several injuries that - wary of adults
the signs of abuse and Aid becomes are in various stages - may cringe or flinch if touched
involved, work is done - facial injuries in infants and unexpectedly
knowing who to call to
with the family and preschool children - infants may display a vacant stare
help a child at risk of harm. the child stays at - injuries inconsistent with the - extremely aggressive or extremely
home. child’s age and developmental withdrawn
Ontario’s Children’s Aid stage
educate their communities,
171,118 referrals
including parents, about about possible NEGLECT
the role of the Children’s abuse and neglect of Physical indicators: Behavioural indicators:
Aid in the community so children and youth - poor hygiene - pale, listless, unkempt Help protect children in your community
were received by - unattended physical or medical - frequent absence from school
that children can be Children’s Aid needs (i.e. dental work, glasses) - inappropriate clothing for the
protected and families can last year. - consistent lack of supervision weather, dirty clothes
get the services they need. - frequently does not bring a lunch
Everyone has a role to play Last year, EMOTIONAL ABUSE
in keeping children safe. 81,099 referrals Physical indicators: Behavioural indicators:
from concerned - bed wetting that is non-medical - severe depression
community members in origin - extreme withdrawal or aggressiveness
Children’s Aid has an were investigated - frequent psychosomatic com- - overly compliant, too well mannered,
important message for by Children’s Aid. plaints, headaches, nausea, too neat or clean
everyone concerned about abdominal pains - extreme attention seeking
the well-being of children: - child fails to thrive - displays extreme inhibition in play
Last year,
“Help protect children in 47,893 families
your community. Get received ongoing SEXUAL ABUSE
involved with your local protection services Physical indicators: Behavioural indicators:
from a Children’s - unusual or excessive itching in - age inappropriate play with toys,
Children’s Aid.” Aid after an the genital or anal area self or others displaying explicit
investigation. - torn, stained or bloody underwear sexual acts
- pregnancy - age inappropriate sexually explicit
Local CAS - injuries to the genital or anal drawing and/or descriptions
areas (e.g. bruising, swelling or - bizarre, sophisticated or unusual
Get involved with your Reports show
more than 75% of sexual knowledge
infection)
Children’s Aid. families served by - venereal disease - seductive behaviours
Children’s Aid were
satisfied with the
useyourvoice.ca services and supports
* Based on
2013-2014 CAS
they received. data reported to Visit www.useyourvoice.ca for
OACAS and more information on the signs of abuse.
MCYS.