Duty to Report
In Ontario, it is the law to report suspected child abuse and neglect to a Children’s Aid Society, or if someone is in immediate danger, to call the police.
Section 125 of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 (CYFSA) states that members of the public, including professionals who work with children, must promptly report any suspicions that a child or youth under the age of 16 is, or may be, in need of protection to a Children’s Aid Society.
On January 1, 2018, Ontario raised the age of protection from 16 to 18 years of age. A professional, or member of the public who is concerned that a 16- or 17-year-old is, or may be in need of protection may, but is not required to, make a report to a Children’s Aid Society, and that agency is required to assess the reported information.
Children’s Aid Societies are responsible for investigating and assessing child abuse and neglect.
- Learn about services for children and youth who need protection due to abuse or neglect, or being at risk of abuse or neglect
- Learn more about your responsibility to report abuse and neglect
If you suspect child neglect or abuse, please call us immediately at 416-924-4646 or toll free at 1-866-527-0833. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Anyone who has reasonable grounds to suspect that a child or youth is or may be in need of protection must promptly report the suspicion and the information upon which it is based to a Children’s Aid Society.
It is not necessary for you to be certain a child or youth is or may be in need of protection to make a report to a Children’s Aid Society. “Reasonable grounds” refers to information that an average person, using normal and honest judgement, would need in order to decide to report.
Duty to Report applies to any child or youth who is, or appears to be under the age of 16.
On January 1, 2018, Ontario raised the age of protection from 16 to 18 years of age. A professional, or member of the public who is concerned that a 16- or 17-year-old is, or may be in need of protection may, but is not required to, make a report to a Children’s Aid Society, and that agency is required to assess the reported information.
Even if you know a report has already been made about a child or youth who is under 16, you must make a further report to a Children’s Aid Society if there are additional reasonable grounds to suspect that the child or youth is or may be in need of protection.
No, you must report your concerns directly to a Children’s Aid Society. You cannot rely on anyone else to report on your behalf.
