October 7, 2008

Statement to the Legislature by Deb Matthews, Minister of Children and Youth Services - Child Abuse Prevention Month

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to mark Child Abuse Prevention Month in Ontario.

In the month of October, the purple ribbon campaign provides an opportunity for each of us to remember our responsibility when it comes to reporting child abuse and neglect. And to speak up for those who are unable to speak for themselves.

Mr. Speaker, it’s our moral obligation and legal duty to promptly report any reasonable suspicion that a child is, or may be, in need of protection - as a result of abuse or neglect. 

When it comes to professionals who work with children – they may be subject to a penalty if they fail to report.  Professionals, such as doctors and nurses, teachers and child care workers, coaches, club leaders and others.

Abuse can be physical, sexual or emotional. Neglect occurs when a caregiver fails to provide a child’s basic needs such as enough food, sleep, safety, supervision, clothing or medical treatment.

It’s important to note that one doesn’t have to be certain a child is being abused or neglected before reporting the situation to a children’s aid society.

If a person has reasonable grounds to believe a child is at risk, they must report their concerns immediately. 

Our government takes its responsibilities to children very seriously.

Together with many dedicated organizations and individuals, we work very hard to serve the more than 29,000 kids in the care of Ontario’s children’s aid societies.

Mr. Speaker, together we’ve been working to help more of our vulnerable children find a safe, permanent home. We’ve strengthened our child protection laws to create more options for the children in the care of children’s aid societies to be placed in a permanent home. 

And we have introduced changes to make Ontario’s children’s aid societies more accountable and sustainable, so they will be there for children who need them in the years to come.

We took another important step when we recently announced that, effective this past July, children and youth in care will benefit from funding equivalent to the Ontario Child Benefit.

These funds will be flowed through children’s aid societies to provide supports that include tutoring, skills building and recreational acitivities, as well as establish and build savings programs for older youth to access when they leave care. 

As the Minister of Children and Youth Services, I’m passionate about seeing that every young person has the opportunity to reach his or her full potential, and especially some of the most vulnerable kids in Ontario.

This initiative is another way we’re providing more opportunities for these kids and lessening the risk that they may experience poverty later in life. 

Mr. Speaker, as citizens, we must be on the lookout at all times for signs of abuse and neglect and just as vigilant in reporting it.

Last year, with the help of teachers, health professionals, neighbours, social workers and police officers, Ontario’s children’s aid societies handled more than 160,000 calls about child protection concerns.

By working together, we can put an end to child abuse.

That’s why last week, I asked for unanimous consent for the members to wear a purple ribbon this month to create awareness of this crucial issue.

And I’m asking all Ontarians today and every day to stand up and speak out on behalf of abused children.

It is our opportunity to use our voices.
To protect the safety and innocence that every child deserves.

To give these kids every opportunity for a better future.

Thank you Mr. Speaker.

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