Resources for Youth
Centred Content
We are here to help youth support their well-being, and connections to family, kin, extended family, friends, and community, recognizing the importance of lifelong connections. Here you can find information about help and services available for youth.
All children and youth have a right to a safe environment that meets their physical, developmental and emotional needs while being free of harm or risk of abuse.
There are things Children’s Aid Societies can do to help keep you safe and help make things better for you. If you are being abused, or if you think that a friend is being abused, please call us.
Please call us:
- If you are experiencing serious conflict in your family
- If you are being, have been, or you are afraid you will be abused or neglected
- If you are aware of another child/youth who may be abused or neglected
- If you know or suspect that another child/youth is exposed to violence at home
- If, as a parent, you find the stress becoming overwhelming
- If your parents abuse drugs or alcohol, and you do not feel safe
- If you were kicked out of your house and need a place to stay
Even if you don’t need help right now, you can still read this information so you’ll be prepared if you or a friend ever need help in the future. If you do need help now call us at 519-371-4453 (local) or 1-855-322-4453 (toll free). We’re here to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Centred Content
What To Do
Abuse can happen over a short or long period of time, sometimes children/youth have a worry about what might happen if they share what is happening to them.
If you are worried about the safety of yourself or someone else it is important that you tell an adult that you trust. This adult and/or you can contact BGCFS, we are here to help you and your family find ways to ensure that you are safe.
Centred Content
Types of Abuse
Abuse can happen repeatedly or just once. It can be:
- Physical and emotional harm
- Sexual behaviour or suggestion
- Failure to provide proper care
- Withholding affection, support, or medical care
- Exposure to violence at home
- Human Trafficking
Physical Abuse is:
- Any physical attack, repeatedly or occurring just once
- Any physical harm caused by lack of care
Emotional Abuse is:
- Constant yelling
- Demeaning words or remarks
- Being rejected or ignored
- Threats
- Verbal attacks
- Exposure to violence at home
Sexual Abuse is:
- Invitation to sexual touching
- Someone exposing their genitals to you
- Being touched sexually
- Someone asking you to expose your genitals
- Someone exposing you to pornography
- Human Trafficking
Neglect is failing to provide:
- Adequate food, shelter, and safety
- Medical or psychological treatment
- Leaving you alone, unsupervised
- Adequate clothing
Centred Content
Signs of Abuse
Signs of abuse and neglect can vary from one child/youth to another and may include:
- Several injuries in various stages of healing
- Fear of adults
- Extreme aggression
- Extreme withdrawal
- Severe depression
- Thoughts of suicide
- Frequent absence from school
- Engaged in delinquent acts or alcohol/drug abuse
- Sexually explicit drawing or descriptions
- Prostitution
- Seductive behaviour
Centred Content
Children and Youth in Society Care
If you have concerns about your placement:
You have the right to contact the Ontario Child and Family Services Review Board if you or someone representing you feels that your rights have been violated.
If you, your parents, or someone representing you is not satisfied with Children’s Aid Society’s response to your concerns, you can contact the Ontario Ombudsman at 1-800-263-2841 or email cy-ej@ombudsman.on.ca.
You are entitled to seek a review of appropriateness of your group home residence any time after the fourteenth day of placement, by contacting the Residential Placement Advisory Committee (RPAC) at 705-748-3220 (349A George St. North, Ste. 205, Peterborough, ON, K9H 3P9).