77 www.rnca.ca Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Association Reporting Child and Youth Abuse and Neglect (continued) If you believe a child or youth is in need of protective intervention due to abuse or neglect, you are required, by law, to report it. To report a concern, call toll-free 1-833-552-2368 or contact your local police. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local police. For more information on reporting child and youth abuse and neglect, including contact information, please see below: The Children,Youth and FamiliesAct (CYFA) promotes the safety and well-being of children and youth who are in need of protective intervention by offering, where available and appropriate, services that are designed to maintain, support and preserve the family where it is in the best interests of the child or youth. The Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development (CSSD) provides services for children and youth who are, or who are believed to be, in need of protective intervention. For children, services are available through the Protective Intervention Program. For youth, services are available through the Youth Services Program. While parents are primarily responsible for their child’s well-being, the CYFA requires you to report a concern if you believe a child or youth is or may be in need of protective intervention.We all have a role to play in keeping children and youth safe. WHO HAS A DUTYTO REPORT? • In accordance with Section 11 of the CYFA, every person in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador has a legal obligation to immediately report suspected abuse and neglect for children (under age 16) and youth (ages 16 and 17) to ensure children and youth are protected from harm. • If the information is not reported, the individual is liable to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or to both a fine and imprisonment. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local police. A social worker may be contacted to determine whether the child or youth is in need of protection. WHEN IS A CHILD ORYOUTH IN NEED OF PROTECTIVE INTERVENTION? A child or youth is in need of protective intervention if they have experienced, or are at risk of experiencing, abuse or neglect due to an action or lack of action by a parent. A social worker will consider the child’s age, developmental status, and other vulnerabilities when assessing reports of abuse or neglect. Under the CYFA, children and youth are defined as follows: Child: a person actually or apparently under 16 years of age Youth: a person who is at least 16 years of age but under 18 years of age. HOW DOYOU DEFINE ABUSE AND NEGLECT? The Department of CSSD defines abuse and neglect as follows: 1. Physical Abuse: action on the part of the parent in which a child/youth sustained or is likely to sustain a physical injury. Injury to the child/youth may be current or may have occurred in the past. 2. Emotional Abuse: a pattern of negative behaviour, repeated destructive interpersonal interactions or a single, significant destructive interaction by an individual toward the child/youth (including exposure to violence in the home or between parents). The impact on the child/youth of being exposed to these emotionally harmful behaviours may include depression, significant anxiety or withdrawal, self-destructive or aggressive behaviour, or delayed development.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM0NTk1OA==