Duty to Report Commercial Sexual Exploitation

In Nova Scotia, every person has a legal duty to report any reasonable suspicion that a child under the age of 16 has been, is being, or is likely to be, abused or neglected. The law also requires you to report suspected abuse if the young person is aged 16 to 18 years old, if the abuse or neglect is caused by their parent or guardian.

The duty to report is outlined in Sections 23-25 of the Children and Family Services Act.

 

IS THE CHILD UNDER 16?

You have a duty to immediately report suspected abuse, (including sexual exploitation ), or neglect to a child welfare agency

IS THE CHILD 16-18?

You have a duty to immediately report suspected abuse (including sexual exploitation), or neglect to a child welfare agency if…

  • the person who has, is, or is likely to be, causing harm is a parent or guardian

    Or

  • another child, under the age of 16, might also be at risk of abuse or neglect

IS THE YOUTH 19 OR OLDER?

You do not have a legal duty to report.

When you call, you will be asked for information about the child/youth, your relationship with the child/youth, the reason you suspect abuse or neglect, as well as any other information that is considered relevant to the safety and wellbeing of the child/youth, other children and family members and service providers.

Once you make a report, child protection social workers will assess the information to determine whether a child protection investigation is required.

WHO TO CONTACT

If the duty to report applies call the Child Protection intake team where the young person lives. Offices are open Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-4:30 pm.

Central Region

(Halifax Regional Municipality & Halifax County)

902-424-5800 or toll free 1-833-424-5800

 

Western Region

  • Yarmouth 902-742-0700

  • Digby 902-245-5811

  • Shelburne 902-637-2337

  • Annapolis 902-532-2337

  • Kings 902-678-6176

  • Queens 902-354-3525

  • Lunenburg 902-543-4554

  • West Hants 902-798-8319

Northern Region

(Cumberland, Colchester, Pictou, Antigonish, Guysborough, East Hants Counties)

1-888-919-4236

 

After hours (4:30 pm to 8:30 am)

Call the Provincial After-Hours Response Team

1-866-922-2434

Eastern Region

(Inverness, Victoria, Cape Breton, Richmond Counties)

902-563-3400

 

Mi’kmaw Family and Children Services

For Indigenous children/youth residing in Mi’kmaw Communities

Mainland 1-800-263-8686

Cape Breton 1-800-263-8300