Children & Youth Resources

If you are a child or youth, in this section you will find information about help and services available to you. We are here to help you and support your well-being, and to ensure you can stay safe and keep connected to your family, friends and community.

It is not okay for adults to hurt kids. Hitting, pushing and yelling can be abuse. Neglecting and refusing to support can also be abuse. Abusing kids is wrong. It is never your fault.

If you are being abused, or if you think that your sibling or friend is being abused, please call us. If you are hurt or afraid, we are here to support you.

You can call us anytime day or night, to talk about your problems or to ask for help. We are here to keep you safe.

Please call us if you:

Are experiencing serious conflict in your family
Are being, have been, or you are afraid you will be abused or neglected
Are aware of another child/youth who may be abused or neglected
Know or suspect that another child/youth is exposed to violence at home
Need help regarding a pregnancy
Your parents abuse drugs or alcohol, and you do not feel safe
Were kicked out of your house and need a safe 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, your sibling or your friend ever need help in the future.

If you do need help now call us at 416-924-4646 or toll free at 1-866-527-0833. We’re here to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What To Do

Sometimes abuse goes on for a long time and kids don’t want to tell because they think they did something wrong. Even if the person hurting you says it’s a game or that you’ll get in trouble if you say anything, you should tell anyway.

You haven’t done anything wrong.

If you are worried about you, your sibling or friend, please talk to someone you trust. You can talk to a teacher or your principal, or another adult that you trust. They can help you speak directly with us about your problems and ways to keep you safe.

You can also call us at any time, day or night, to talk about your problems or ask for help. You are important to us.

We are here to keep you 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

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

Neglect

Neglect is where a person having charge is not able or willing to meet the child’s needs and they may fail to provide:

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

Child Trafficking

Child trafficking is the illegal trade involving the recruitment, transportation, or exploitation of children through force, coercion, or deception for purposes including forced labour or sexual exploitation.

Child sex trafficking is the act of luring, coercing, forcing, or manipulating a child under the age of 18 into sexual activity either through online or in-person contact with or without the apparent consent of the youth in exchange for basic needs, drugs and/or alcohol, or financial gain on the part of the perpetrator. Youth involved in child sex trafficking may be coerced or forced into trafficking themselves, trafficking others, or both.

If you have concerns for a youth related to trafficking, please call us at 416-924-4646 or toll free at 1-866-527-0833. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.