Health services and social services recognized by the Minister of Justice

You may request health services (like health care) or social services for your children without the other parent’s consent, due to a situation of:

• sexual violence;
• spousal violence;
• family violence.

These services must be recognized by the Minister of Justice. Moreover, your child’s need must be a consequence of violent situation.  

For your child to receive these services, you must first obtain an attestation from a designated public servant or public officer, in other words a prosecuting attorney working for the Directeur des poursuites criminelles et pénales (DPCP). You must then forward your attestation to the person, the clinic or the institution from whom you are requesting services for your child. The professional you consult must establish that the care required is a result from the situation of violence and that the health or social services are offered to your child.

Find out how to obtain your attestation

Your children may receive assessment, treatment and follow-up services:

• of psychological trauma;
• of stress-related illnesses such as anxiety, depression or phobias.

Your children may also receive assessment, diagnoses, treatment and follow-up for the following problems.

Health problems

• growth delay;
• allergies;
• otorhinolaryngological (ORL) disorders;
• dermatological disorders;
• headaches;
• stomach pain, abdominal pain, cramps or digestive disorders, diarrhea or
• constipation, ulcer;
• sleep disorders;
• eating disorders;
• gynecological disorders;
• neurological disorders;
• pain, lesions, genitourinary symptoms, and anal symptoms.

Adjustment disorders

• school phobias;
• separation anxiety;
• hyperactivity;
• irritability;
• learning difficulties;
• concentration disorders.

Behavioural problems

• aggressive or dangerous behaviour;
• inappropriate sexual behaviour;
• suicidal ideation or suicide attempt;
• delay or regression in toilet training, language acquisition or the development of intellectual abilities;
• sudden change in behaviour;
• sudden onset of fearful behaviour and phobias;
• school absenteeism, academic delays and school dropout;
• social isolation and emotional dependency;
• disruption of eating or sleeping habits, or abuse of alcohol, medication or drugs.

All services must be rendered by a member of a professional order.

Professional orders recognized in Québec (in French only)

Your children may receive social services offered by the following organizations:

• organizations subsidized by the Government that help persons who are victims of family violence, including spousal violence, or of sexual violence, and their children;
• other organizations subsidized by the Government whose mission is to help children who are victims of sexual violence.