In Newfoundland and Labrador it is everyone’s responsibility to report any information concerning child abuse and neglect. If you suspect that a child has been abused or neglected, or if a child tells you that she/he has been abused or neglected, it is the law to report it immediately.
You must report suspected child abuse and neglect to your local Children, Seniors and Social Development office or to the local police.
- If children disclose information about being abused or neglected, they are saying they trust you. Listen and believe!
- Be a friend to a child. Show her or him by example that people can settle problems without violence.
- Pay attention to the child who displays overly aggressive, withdrawn and submissive behaviors, or the child who is failing to thrive. These are often signs of abuse.
- Involve children in community activities. Friendships can help them gain the security they may be missing in their families.
Important messages for children to hear are:
- Violence is not okay; no one deserves to be abused.
- It’s not your fault. You are not to blame for the violence.
- All feelings are okay. Feeling angry is okay, but it’s not okay to hurt others because you are angry.
- You have the right to be safe and happy.
- It you are feeling sad or scared, tell someone. We don’t have to keep secrets that make us feel that way.
To report child abuse, call your local Children, Seniors and Social Development office or contact your local police.
Contact Numbers for Children, Seniors and Social Development
You must report suspected child abuse to your local Children, Seniors and Social Development office or to the local police.
Metro Region
Daytime: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (709) 729-4612
After Hours: (709) 729-4775
Central East Region
Daytime: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Botwood: (709) 257-4911
- Grand Falls-Windsor: (709) 292-1210
- Lewisporte: (709) 535-2852
- Twillingate: (709) 884-1372
After Hours telephone number for the communities listed above: (709) 292-2500
- Conne River: (709) 882-5105
- Gambo/Musgrave Harbour: (709) 674-5373
- Gander: (709) 651-1170
- Harbour Breton: (709) 885-3053
- St. Alban’s: (709) 538-3819
After Hours telephone number for the communities listed above: (709) 256-2500
- Bay Roberts: (709) 786-5224
- Bonavista: (709) 468-1000
- Clarenville: (709) 466-5776
- Harbour Grace: (709) 945-6512
- Holyrood/New Harbour: (709) 229-1551
- Marystown: (709) 279-7900
- Placentia: (709) 227-0130
- Whitbourne: (709) 759-3340
After Hours telephone number for the communities listed above: (709) 759-3369
Western Region
Daytime: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Baie Verte: (709) 532-4766
- Bonne Bay: (709) 453-2135
- Burgeo: (709) 886-2297
- Corner Brook: (709) 637-2686
- Deer Lake: (709) 635-7841
- Piccadilly: (709) 642-5234
- Port aux Basques: (709) 695-2120
- Port Saunders: (709) 861-3978
- Roddickton: (709) 457-3303
- Springdale: (709) 673-4714
- St. Anthony: (709) 454-2448
- Stephenville: (709) 643-8601
- Stephenville Crossing: (709) 646-3101
After Hours telephone number for all Western communities: (709) 637-2686
Labrador Region
Daytime: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Cartwright: (709) 938-7413
- Forteau: (709) 931-3301
- Happy Valley-Goose Bay: (709) 896-2494
- Hopedale: (709) 933-3389
- Makkovik: (709) 923-2129
- Nain: (709) 922-2858
- Natuashish: (709) 478-8965
- Rigolet: (709) 947-3519
- Sheshatshiu: (709) 497-8555
- Wabush: (709) 282-3951
After Hours telephone number for Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Sheshatshiu: (709) 897-2000.
All other Labrador communities listed above should contact their local police detachments.