Youth Protection (DYP)
Duty to report
You can report a situation to the DYP 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Contact Informations of the DYP.
Protecting children is everyone's business. As citizens or professionals, we have an obligation to help a child who appears to us to be in difficulty. It is by maintaining this circle of caring around children that we, as a society, make sure they have a promising future.
An adult must provide the necessary assistance to a child who wishes to report their situation or that of their brothers and sisters or of any other child.
However, according to the YPA, the obligation to report a child's situation without delay differs depending on the category of person and the situation.
Professionals who work with children, employees of institutions in the health and social services network, teachers, people working in a daycare and police officers:
- When performing their duties, they must report any situation covered by the YPA
- When they are not performing their duties, they:
- Must report any situation of sexual or physical abuse. They must do so even if they consider that the parents are taking steps to put an end to the situation. The DYP will assess whether these steps are sufficient
- May report other situations where a child’s security or development might be in danger
Other people:
- Must report any situation of sexual abuse or physical abuse. They must do so even if they consider that the parents are taking steps to put an end to the situation. The DYP will assess whether these steps are sufficient
- May report other situations where a child’s security or development might be in danger
The obligation to report applies even to persons bound by professional secrecy, except to lawyers and notaries who, in the exercise of their profession, receive information concerning a situation that could compromise the security or development of a child.
The person who filed the report may subsequently provide the DYP with any relevant information related to the report in order to protect the child involved. The same applies to any of their colleagues who, in the course of their duties, were involved in the report.
Once the case has been processed, the DYP will inform the person who filed the report of their decision to proceed with or discontinue its intervention. The DYP may refer the family to other support services, depending on their needs and if they agree.
If you are not sure
You may be concerned about a child but not sure whether or not you should report the situation. If so, you can contact the DYP who will be able to answer your questions and guide you through the reporting process.
Deciding to report a child’s situation can stir up many emotions, but it is important to do it for the good of the child.
What to do if a child confides in you about a situation where the DYP is required to intervene
If a child confides in you about a situation where the DYP is required to intervene:
- Stay calm in front of the child.
- Listen openly without judging the child.
- Be reassuring.
- Tell the child that they made the right decision by telling you about their problems.
- Assure the child that you believe them.
- Do not promise that you will keep the secret.
- Let the child speak freely, especially in cases of sexual or physical abuse. Do not ask too many questions. Your questions could influence the child and undermine the DYP’s ability to intervene.
- Write down what the child told you as soon as possible.
Last update: November 22, 2024