What Happens When a Report is Made

Individuals phoning the Society with concerns of possible child abuse or neglect will be connected to a Child Protection Worker. At this point, a caller can make a report or ask for a private consultation.

Reporting

Individuals reporting concerns of possible child abuse or neglect to the Society can expect to be asked a number of questions about their concerns, the child(ren) involved, and general information about the family. While some questions may not seem relevant to the concern, in order to properly assess the situation, Child Protection Workers must obtain as much information as possible about every situation.

Once a report has been made and assessed, an investigation may be conducted or the situation may be resolved through telephone contact with the family or through referrals to other community services. If an investigation is necessary, a Child Protection Worker will see the children within 12 hours or up to seven days depending on the severity of the concerns.

Private Consultation

A private consultation allows an individual to anonymously speak with a Child Protection Worker regarding questions or concerns they may have about a child and/or family. During this process, individuals have the opportunity to give non-identifying information about the child and/or family and a brief scenario on why they are calling. Through this process, the Child Protection Worker can recommend whether or not the caller should make a report about their concerns.