Quick Escape
 
 
If you think a child is being harmed or neglected,
contact CFS at 1-866-345-9241.
Note: If this is an emergency, contact your local police emergency number.
If you are a parent in need of support with your children, contact the number above to get information about CFS in your area or see Child and Family Services Contacts.
 

Reporting of child Protection and Child Abuse

 
 
Reporting of Child Protection and Child Abuse: Handbook and Protocols for Manitoba Service Providers

A resource for those involved in identifying, reporting and dealing with a child in need of protection, including child abuse.
 
 

Handbook and Protocols for Manitoba Service Providers

Reporting of Child Protection and Child Abuse has been developed to help you protect  Manitoba children. The handbook provides detailed guidelines on how to recognize and report child abuse and children in need of protection.
 
This handbook includes helpful information, such as:
  • physical injury to the child
  • emotional disability of a permanent nature in the child or is likely to result in such a disability
  • sexual exploitation of the child with or without the child’s consent

Reporting is mandatory

Under Manitoba’s Child and Family Services Act (the CFS act), people can be fined or imprisoned for failing to report suspected child abuse. The handbook stresses that all people who work with children, no matter what their professional discipline, must report suspected cases of child abuse. Specific protocols have been developed to help you fulfill this legal obligation.

 

What is child abuse?

According to the CFS act, abuse means an act or omission of any person, where the act or omission results in:
  • physical injury to the child
  • emotional disability of a permanent nature in the child or is likely to result in such a disability
  • sexual exploitation of the child with or without the child’s consent
Child neglect is the failure of a child’s primary caregiver to provide adequate food, clothing,
shelter, supervision and/or medical care. Child neglect is an act of omission by a parent or
guardian, resulting in (or likely to result in) harm or risk of harm to a child.
 

In Manitoba, it is everyone’s legal obligation to report suspected child abuse.

 
If, in your honest judgment, you believe that a child may not be safe, you are legally required to report it.
 
This also applies if information is obtained through a professional, confidential relationship.
  • You do not have to prove or be sure that the abuse is occurring.
  • The obligation to report also applies to allegations of past abuse.
  • Even if you think someone else is reporting the situation, you must still report it.
  • All reports will be followed up by a CFS agency.
  • The CFS agency response will vary: community supports, protective services, supports in the home or removal of the child(ren).
  • Where applicable, follow your workplace guidelines or procedures for reporting suspected child abuse.
  • Your individual obligation to report abuse supersedes all internal organizational policies and procedures.
  • Reporting does not require staff consensus or the approval of your supervisor.
  • No retaliatory action can be taken against a person who, in good faith, reports information about suspected child abuse.
  • You cannot be dismissed, suspended, demoted, disciplined, harassed or disadvantaged.
  • Your identity is protected and kept confidential, except as required in the course of judicial proceedings or with your written consent. 

 

 

 

For a list of CFS designated intake agencies, go to: www.gov.mb.ca/intakeagencies
If you do not know the number of your local CFS agency, or after working hours, call the province-wide emergency services toll free line: 1-866-345-9241
 
If you think the child is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local police station.