When Do I Call CAS?

Reporting Abuse

If you know or have reasonable grounds to suspect that a child or youth is being neglected or abused, contact the Society at 613 264-9991 immediately. What are “reasonable grounds to suspect”?

You do not need to be sure that a child or youth is or may be in need of protection to make a report to a CAS. “Reasonable grounds” are what an average person, given his or her training, background and experience, exercising normal and honest judgment would suspect.

Section 72.(1) of the Child and Family Services Act

Despite the provision of any other Act, if a person, including a person who performs professional or official duties with respect to children, has reasonable grounds to suspect child abuse or neglect, the person shall forthwith report the suspicion and information on which it is based to a Society.

Duty to report applies to any child or youth who appears to be under the age of 16. It also applies to children subject to child protection who are under 16 and 17 years old. The duty to report is an ongoing obligation. If a person has made a previous report about a child or youth and has additional reasonable grounds to suspect that a child or youth is or may be in need of protection, that person must make a further report.

Professional persons and officials have the same duty as any member of the public to report.

You can contact the Society at 613 264-9991 or 1-866-664-9991, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.