It takes a community to keep kids safe from fear, harm and violence.
October is Child Abuse Prevention Month.During Child Abuse Prevention Month in October, the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS) and Children’s Aid Societies are calling on the community to help protect children from fear, harm and violence and support families in crisis. Children are society’s most vulnerable and need to be protected. The Association and Children’s Aid Societies are spreading the message that child safety and family welfare begin in the community. Everyone has a role to play in their well-being and a duty to report any suspicion that a child may be in need of protection.
Children’s Aid Societies work hard to protect the children and youth of their local communities and to support families that need help. Last year, Children’s Aid received more than 165,673 referrals about possible abuse and neglect of children and youth. Children’s Aid Societies completed over 84,219 investigations and 47,925 families received ongoing protection services from a Children’s Aid after investigation.
With an increased focus on working with families earlier, in the vast majority of cases children were able to remain at home while Children’s Aid Societies worked with families to strengthen their parenting capacity and create a more stable future for their children.