Approval Date: April 2022
Reviewed/Revised: January 2026
Definitions
Child Abuse: Behaviour that renders a minor child/youth a “child in need of protection” under the Children and Family Services Act of Nova Scotia (PDF); the Family Services Act of New Brunswick (PDF); the Child, Youth and Family Services Act of Newfoundland and Labrador; or the Child’s Protection Act of Prince Edward Island (PDF).
For the purposes of this procedure abuse will include:
Physical Abuse – The intentional use of force on any part of a child’s/youth’s body that results in injury.
Emotional Abuse – Anything that causes serious mental or emotional harm to a child/youth.
Sexual Abuse – The improper exposure of a child/youth to sexual contact, activity, or behaviour.
Neglect: Any lack of care that may cause significant harm to a child's/youth’s development or endanger a child/youth in any way.
Summary
All APSEA employees are required to report suspected child abuse and/or neglect. It’s the law. APSEA employees are mandated reporters because we work with children professionally. Once a report is made, the provincial child protection agency will assess the information provided in your report to determine an appropriate response.
APSEA employees who suspect a child is being abused or neglected must contact the child protective services agency in the area where the abuse/neglect is happening and ask if it needs to be reported anywhere else.
When to Report
You must make a report any time you suspect a child/youth is being abused or neglected. It’s the law.
Employees are not required to investigate or confirm abuse or neglect. Your role is only to report abuse, not to verify. This means you do not need proof. You just need to suspect abuse or neglect is happening and report it in good faith, meaning you honestly believe the child is in danger or is being harmed.
Some examples of when a person would report child abuse:
- You see signs of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.
- You observe neglect (a child/youth with lack of food, unsafe living conditions, etc.).
- You are told by someone else that abuse is happening (another adult or child/youth).
- You have reasonable suspicion, even if you do not have any proof.
How to Report
Step One
Call the appropriate government agency in your province responsible for receiving reports of child abuse.
You will need to give them the following information:
- The child/youth’s name, age, and address (if known)
- The name and address of the child/youth’s caregivers (if known)
- Details of your concern (what you saw, heard, or were told that makes you think abuse or neglect is happening)
- Your name and contact information
Nova Scotia
- You must call the local Office of Child Welfare in the community where the child lives, or where the suspected abuse is happening. Offices with Child Welfare Services | Nova Scotia Department of Community Services
- After hours reporting (evenings, weekends, holidays): 1-866-922-2434
- In Nova Scotia, Reports can be made anonymously. Once a report is made, child protection social workers assess the information provided to determine an appropriate response.
New Brunswick
- Contact the Department of Social Development: 1-888-992-2873
- In New Brunswick, mandated reporters are not required to provide their name or personal information, and the identity of the reporter is protected by law. It can only be disclosed during judicial proceedings or with the reporter’s written consent.
Prince Edward Island
- Contact the Department of Family and Human Services: 1-877-341-3101
- After hours reporting (evenings, weekends, holidays): 1-800-341-6868
- On Prince Edward Island, reports can be made anonymously. The law states that the reporter’s identity will remain confidential and protected.
Newfoundland and Labrador
- Contact the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development: 1-833-552-2368
- In Newfoundland and Labrador, reports cannot be made anonymously. The law requires that the reporter identify themselves when making a report to Child, Youth and Family Services or a peace officer.
Accessibility
If you suspect child abuse or neglect you must make a report. You cannot get another person to report on your behalf. If you experience barriers in reporting, please inform your supervisor, your Director, the Superintendent, or the Supervisor of Accessibility Services. All provincial child welfare agencies must provide access to ASL-English interpreters. APSEA will also provide ASL-English interpreters to ensure access to reporting.
You can make a report using:
- TTY (teletypewriter)
- VRS (video relay service)
- ASL-English interpreter
Family Assistance Program
Making a report of child abuse or neglect is difficult. All APSEA employees have access to our Employee and Family Assistance Program, where you can access free and confidential short-term counseling support. Counseling can happen in-person, online or over the phone.
Telus Health Counseling Services Contact Information
- Phone: English: 1-844-671-3327 / French: 1-855-360-5485
- TTY: 1-877-338-0275 (add VRS)
- Website: one.telushealth.com
Step Two
Once the suspected child abuse has been reported to the appropriate provincial agency, the employee must inform the Superintendent. You do not need to provide details; you just need to tell the Superintendent a report has been made.
Accountability
Failure to report suspected child abuse/neglect is a violation of APSEA policy and provincial law and may result in:
- Disciplinary action, up to and including termination from APSEA.
- Legal consequences under provincial child abuse laws.