Grounds for reporting a situation

• The child no longer lives with their parents and does not have a permanent address
• The child says they were kicked out of the house
• The child’s parents are deceased and no one else has assumed parental responsibilities

Neglect in terms of physical needs

• Lack or insufficient food or inadequate food
• Child's seeks out food
• Continual lack of hygiene
• Inappropriate clothing for the season
• Child’s living environment is unhealthy
• Child’s living conditions are inadequate or pose a risk of injury for the child
• Hazardous substances or objects accessible to the child
• Lack of a family home

Neglect in terms of health

• Severe malnutrition that could lead to health problems
• Untreated illnesses or wounds
• Refusal of or neglect by the parents or the person with custody of the child to consult a healthcare professional for the child’s essential needs (e.g. mental health problems, dental cavities, developmental delay, or problems with vision, hearing, or motor skills)
• Improper use of medicine that could have serious consequences for the child

Neglect in terms of upbringing : lack of supervision or guidance

• Lack of age-appropriate stimulation for the child in terms of language, motor, social, or intellectual skills
• Inappropriate choice of caregiver
• Lack of a stable routine
• Lack of support by parents or the person with custody of the child
• Insufficient supervision by parents or the person with custody of the child, based on the child’s needs

Neglect in terms of education or compliance with the requirement to attend school

• The child is school age but does not go to school
• The child is often absent from school for no reason so they are not learning as much as they should.
• What the child learns at home or elsewhere is not teaching them what they need to know to integrate into society

• Child has low self-esteem or often says they are good for nothing
• Child says they are not allowed to have friends, appears socially isolated
• Child says they feel rejected by their parents
• Child seems sad and cries often
• Child often fixates on death through words or drawings
• Child says they are exhausted and must work at home
• Child is constantly worried about how their parents will react or says they are afraid of them or of someone living with them
• Child is exposed to family violence (verbal, physical or psychological violence)
• Child witnesses criminal activities at home
• A teenage girl cannot take part in any activities outside the house unless she has a chaperone
• Parents frequently denigrate the child (e.g., they constantly blame them for things, always criticize and never give praise, make belittling comparisons, use negative nicknames)
• Parents constantly threaten to abandon the child or place the child with others

• The child confides in you that they have witnessed violence or control between their parents, or between one of their parents and their partner
• The child expresses fears for the abused parent, is protective or, on the contrary, denigrates them
• The child seems insecure at home
• The child and the abused parent are nervous in the presence of the abuser
• The child shows specific sensitivity when an adult raises their voice
• The child tends to isolate themself, refusing to open up about their experiences or to bring friends home (family secrecy)
• The child is regularly absent, with little involvement in extracurricular activities
• Poor performance at school due to attention, concentration, and memory problems
• The child displays anxiety, fear, hypervigilance
• The child shows signs of depression, low self-esteem, post-traumatic stress
• The child displays adjustment or behavioural problems (e.g., violent reactions to conflicts with peers, manipulation, tendency to lie or disobey, drug use, bullying or victimization)

• The child says they have been subjected to sexual acts
• The child complains of genital pain
• The child exhibits precocious sexual behaviour
• The child has knowledge of sexual behaviours that is not age-appropriate
• The child suffers from a sexually transmitted infection (STI)
• Child mentions pornographic experiences
• Child is afraid to go home, prefers to stay at school or daycare
• The child says their parents does not respect their privacy
• The child refuses to undergo a medical exam
• The child is afraid of a particular adult
• The child displays abrupt changes in their usual behaviour (e.g., sudden drop in their academic performance, loss of appetite).
• The child suffers from incontinence, stomach aches, frequent vomiting, nightmares or insomnia
• The child has objects or money of unknown origin in their possession
• The teenager regularly runs away from home
• An adult exhibits an unusual interest in the child

• The child presents signs of having been struck, bodily injuries, or unexplained bruises.
• The child has unexplained fractures or repeated injuries
• The child says parents hit them for not listening or when things are not going well at school
• The child says parents hurt another child in the family
• The child cries inexplicably
• The child is afraid to go home, prefers to stay at school or daycare
• The child cringes when approached quickly, as if expecting to be hit
• The child is aggressive towards adults or peers
• The child refuses to undergo a medical exam
• The child displays abrupt changes in their usual behaviour (e.g., sudden drop in their academic performance, loss of appetite)
• Parents use unreasonable methods to bring up or discipline their child (e.g., use of objects such as a belt or stick, isolation in a closed space for long periods of time)
• Parents give evasive or contradictory explanations about their child's injuries or behaviours
• The parents try to hide the child’s injuries

• Child constantly isolates themself (e.g., passiveness, lack of friends, withdrawal)
• Child displays frequent and uncontrollable aggression and violence
• Child abuses drugs or alcohol or has compulsive gambling problems
• Child engages in self-harm
• Child has suicidal thoughts or demonstrates suicidal behaviour
• Child develops an eating disorder (e.g., anorexia or bulimia)
• Child exhibits inappropriate or risky sexual behaviours
• Child runs away repeatedly
• Child engages in bullying or other forms of intimidation
• Child associates with people who have a bad influence and who accentuate their behavioural problems
• Parents exhibit personal limitations (e.g., too permissive, inconsistent, or strict)
• Parents deny or trivialize the situation
• Parents give up on their child’s behaviour

To report a situation to the DYP, you do not have to be absolutely sure that a child is in need of protection. You only have to have reasonable grounds to believe that a child’s security or development is or may be in danger. Your opinion can be based on what you have seen yourself or on what the child has said and confided to you. In this case, you must report the situation to the DYP immediately in accordance with the requirements of the YPA.

If you have any doubts or questions, you can call the DYP for information or a consultation. The person taking the call will be able to guide you on how to act with the child or family you're concerned about.

You can also contact Info-Social to find out about services available for children and families in your area.