FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CHILD WELFARE

What is child abuse?

Abuse is hurting a child physically or emotionally or by sexual molestation. Neglect is failing to provide proper care or depriving a child of support and affection. For a more detailed descriptions of the different kinds of abuse and neglect, click here.

What should I do if I think a child is being abused or neglected?

We have a moral obligation to protect our children from harm, so that they can live in safety and grow up to become our community’s leaders.

It is your legal obligation to report any suspicion of child abuse to a Children's Aid Society. Call us - 24 hours a day - at 416.969.8510. It's important to remember that you don't have to be sure that abuse is happening...call us even if it's just a suspicion, and leave it to our child protection professionals to make the determination. You may call us anonymously if you wish.

For more information about your duty to report, click here.

It is illegal to spank my child?

NCFST does not condone spanking or other forms of corporal punishment. There are other ways to discipline your child that are much more successful. For some suggestions on positive parenting without physical punishment, click here.

In cases where excessive or inappropriate physical punishment has led or could lead to a child being injured, NCFST will respond.

My children were taken into care and I just found out I have to go to court. What should I know?

For information on what you can expect from child protection court cases, click here.