Reporting Abuse to Government Authorities

  • If there is an immediate danger to a child call 911 

  • If you suspect a child is being harmed, contact the National Child Abuse Hotline

    • In the US - Call or text 1-800-4-A-CHILD [1-800-422-4453] Hotline counselors are available to receive calls 7 days a week, 24 hours a day

    • In Canada see below for the hotline in your province/territory

  • If you are a child or teenager looking to talk to someone for support, Kids Help Phone is available 24/7 across Canada. You can call 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868

When making a report include as much information as possible: child’s name and location (with useful descriptions like age, race, gender, parents’ names, and address); description of what you have seen or heard regarding the abuse or neglect of the child; the suspected abuser’s name and relationship to the child; names of any other people knowing about the abuse; your name and phone number.

Canadian Hotlines

  • British Columbia: 1-800-663-9122 (Ministry of Children and Family Development). Youth can call the Helpline for Children directly at 310-1234 (no area code needed)

    Alberta: 1-800-387-5437 (1-800-387-KIDS) (24/7 Child Abuse Hotline).

    Saskatchewan: 1-306-569-2724 (24/7 Central Child Abuse Line). You can also reach daytime regional intake lines at 1-866-719-6164 (North), 1-800-274-8297 (Center), or 1-844-787-3760 (South)

    Manitoba: 1-866-345-9241 (Provincial 24/7 Child Abuse Reporting Line)

  • Ontario: Reports must go to local regional agencies. You can find your specific office via the Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies. Major hub lines include Toronto/North York (416-924-4646 / 1-866-527-0833) and York Region (1-800-718-3850)

    Quebec: 1-800-567-6810 (Director of Youth Protection / DPJ)

    New Brunswick: 1-833-733-7835 (Daytime Child Protection Services). For after-hours emergencies, call 1-800-442-9799.

    Nova Scotia: Contact local child welfare services during office hours. For nights, weekends, and holidays, call the provincial after-hours emergency line at 1-866-922-2434.

    Prince Edward Island: 1-877-341-3101 (Provincial Child Protection Intake Unit). For after-hours calls, use 1-800-341-6868.

    Newfoundland and Labrador: 1-833-552-2368 (24/7 Provincial Line for Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect)

  • Yukon: 1-867-667-3002 or toll-free at 1-800-661-0408 (ext. 6) (Family and Children's Services)

    Northwest Territories: 1-867-767-9061 (Daytime Child and Family Services). For after-hours calls, dial 1-867-873-7276 or 1-867-445-1092.

    Nunavut: 1-844-FW-CHILD (1-844-392-4453) (Territory-wide Family Wellness Division). Iqaluit residents can also call 1-867-975-5777 (Emergency: 1-867-979-5650)