Resources
For Youth
Has something happened to you? We have lots of resources to answer questions and help you heal.
For a Caregiver
Are you a parent or caregiver to a child or youth that has suffered abuse? We have resources to help guide and support you!
Handbooks and Downloads
Handbooks and Downloads
We have a number of downloadable resources for both youth and caregivers.
For Youth
Self Reporting
Are you under 19? Has something happened to you? You are not alone.
Telling someone that you have been hurt or are experiencing abuse can feel scary. But there are people here to support you.
If you or someone you know has been hurt by someone, or is experiencing abuse, violence, or neglect get help by calling the helpline at 310-1234. You do not need an area code. You can call at any time of the day or night and you do not have to give your name.
If you are in immediate danger call the police: 9-1-1 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
You can call a Victim Service worker who can answer questions and help you with the reporting process.
If you live in Greater Victoria, call a Victim Service worker at (250) 385-6111 (Monday–Friday, 9am – 5pm).
What is Abuse?
Physical abuse is often the most easily recognized form of abuse. Physical abuse can be any kind of hitting, shaking, burning, pinching, biting, choking, throwing, beating, and other actions that cause physical injury, leave marks, or cause pain. Physical abuse of a child is when a parent or caregiver causes any non-accidental physical injury to a child. There are many signs of physical abuse.
Sexual abuse: Sexual abuse occurs when an adult uses a child for sexual purposes or involves a child in sexual acts. It also includes when a child who is older or more powerful uses another child for sexual gratification or excitement.
Sexual abuse of children includes:
- Non-contact abuse
- Making a child view a sex act
- Making a child view or show sex organs
- Inappropriate sexual talk
- Contact abuse
- Fondling and oral sex
- Penetration
- Making children perform a sex act
- Exploitation
- Child prostitution and child pornography
Emotional abuse: When a parent or caregiver harms a child’s mental and social development, or causes severe emotional harm, it is considered emotional abuse. While a single incident may be abuse, most often emotional abuse is a pattern of behavior that causes damage over time.
Child neglect is when a parent or caregiver does not give the care, supervision, affection and support needed for a child’s health, safety and well-being. Child neglect includes:
- Physical neglect and inadequate supervision
- Emotional neglect
- Medical neglect
- Educational neglect
Family violence can affect anyone. It can happen in any kind of family. Sometimes parents abuse each other, which can be hard for a child to witness. Some parents abuse their kids by using physical or verbal cruelty as a way of discipline.
Websites
Mind Your Mind -- Mind Your Mind exists in the space where mental health, wellness, engagement and technology meet. They work with young people aged 14 to 29 to co-create interactive tools and innovative resources to build capacity and resilience.
Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868) -- Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only 24/7 e-mental health service offering free, multilingual and confidential support to help all young people Feel Out Loud.
Youth In BC -- Youth In BC is owned by the Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of BC and is dedicated to providing help and hope to individuals, organizations, and communities.
Scarleteen -- The largest resource online wholly dedicated to providing truly comprehensive and highly inclusive sex and relationships education, information and support that centers young people.
Need Help Now -- If you are worried a nude of you under the age of 18 is being shared online, Need Help Now is here to help. There are steps you can take to regain control, and people to support you.
Cosmic Kids Yoga -- Yoga, Mindfulness, and relaxation for kids.
Help Starts Here -- BC Mental Health Service Portal
Anxiety Canada -- Anxiety Canada's mission is to provide accessible, science-based anxiety relief.
Videos
Cycling Through Consent
This animated video takes on a fun and simple approach to looking at consent; exploring what consent is and what it does and does not look like.
James is Dead
Whether it's murder or sexual assault, it's not the victim's fault.
Resources for Caretakers
Indicators
Behavioural Indicators
In a young child:
- Excessive sadness, frequent crying, anxiety.
- Inserting objects into the vagina or rectum.
- Excessive dependency, fear of home, or a specific place; excessive fear of men or women, lacks trust in others.
- Age-inappropriate sexual play or sexually explicit drawings.
- Sudden non-participation in activities, poor peer relationships, self-image; overall poor self-care.
In an older child:
- Sudden lack of interest in friends or activities, unable to "have fun" with others.
- Startled response to touching.
- Overwhelming interest in sexual activities.
- Hostility towards authority, truancy, and/or running away from home.
- Wearing of provocative clothing or layers of clothing to hide bruises.
- Recurrent physical complaints without physiological basis.
- Suicide attempts, drug/alcohol misuse, poor personal hygiene, promiscuity, sexual acting out in a variety of ways.
Physical Indicators
- Sleep disturbances and nightmares.
- Sudden weight change.
- Cuts or sores made by the child on their arms.
- Recurring physical ailments.
- Difficulty in walking or sitting, excessive itching in the genital or anal area due to infections.
- Torn and stained or bloody underwear.
- Sexually transmitted diseases.
- Pregnancy.
- Injuries to the mouth, genital or anal areas.
If You Suspect Abuse
If you think or suspect a child or youth (anyone 18 and under) is being, is at risk of being, or has been abused or neglected, you have the legal duty to report your concerns to a child protection worker at:
Helpline for Children: 310-1234
Ministry for Children: 1-800-663-9122
If the child or youth is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1 or your local police department.
Videos
Parenting Tips - Positive Discipline
This video outlines the difference between positive and negative discipline and the eight key features of positive discipline.
I Am Not OK
Teen suicide prevention and awareness - Discusses some of the potential causes and symptoms of depression and what to do if you believe a youth may be having suicidal thoughts.
Emotional Abuse Is Far Worse Than You Think
Shares why emotional or psychological maltreatment may have consequences as bad as, if not worse than, physical or sexual abuse.
Parenting & Discipline : How to Discipline Your Child Without Yelling or Spanking
Learn how to discipline children with guidance-based strategies with help from a licensed clinical psychologist in this video on children and discipline.
Websites
National Child Trauma Stress Network (USA) -- NCTSN.org is a resource for the public, professionals, and others who care about children and are concerned about child traumatic stress.
Open Mind BC -- A valuable resource for physicians, parents, teachers, and youth to learn more about the support services available in BC and across Canada.
Protect Kids Online -- Protect Kids Online is designed to assist parents/guardians in protecting their children on the Internet and reducing the risk of victimization.
The Canadian Centre for Child Protection -- A national charity dedicated to the personal safety of all children. Its goal is to reduce the sexual abuse and exploitation of children, assist in the location of missing children, and prevent child victimization through programs, services, and resources.
Wise Practices -- A resource committed to reducing suicide and suicidal behaviour among First Nations youth by ‘leading with the language of life’ rather than relying on deficit-centred language or risk factor-based approaches.
Cybertip -- Canada’s national tipline for reporting the online sexual exploitation of children.