Youth Resources - Bruce Grey Child & Family Services

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.

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.

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

Physical Abuse is:

Any physical attack, repeatedly or occurring just once
Any physical harm caused by lack of care

Emotional Abuse

Emotional Abuse is:

Constant yelling
Demeaning words or remarks
Being rejected or ignored
Threats
Verbal attacks
Exposure to violence at home

Sexual Abuse

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

Neglect is failing to provide:

Adequate food, shelter, and safety
Medical or psychological treatment
Leaving you alone, unsupervised
Adequate clothing

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

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).