Mandatory Report of child abuse under The Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017
Consult the Mandatory Reporting Table
An Offence Not to Report
Under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017, any person who has a reasonable suspicion that a child is in need of protection must report that suspicion to the local Children's Aid Society. While everyone has this duty, it is an offence for a dietitian not to make a report when the information is obtained in the course of practising dietetics.
The report must be made to the local Children's Aid Society, where the child lives.
Get Advice on Reporting
For a report under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017, only reasonable grounds to "suspect", not "believe", is needed. This means that the degree of information suggesting that a child is in need of protection can be quite low. As the definition of a child in need of protection under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017, is quite lengthy and complex, when the health or safety of a child is threatened, dietitians are urged to get advice on reporting the child abuse. You may get advice either from the Practice Advisory Service at the College, legal counsel or your organization's risk manager.