Child Protection
The well-being of Nunavut’s children is very important to the Department of Health and Social Services (HSS). We are committed to working with Nunavummiut to make sure that the territory’s children are safe from abuse and neglect.
| If you know of a child in need of protection, it is your duty to report this to the police. Call your local RCMP, Social Services office, or tell a teacher, nurse or social worker. |
Child Abuse
Child abuse comes in many forms. There are four kinds of abuse: physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect.
Physical Abuse: Harming a child’s body on purpose is physical abuse. Hurting a child out of anger or to punish them for bad behaviour is physical abuse. Children should not be hurt to make them act a certain way.
Emotional Abuse: Shaming a child or making him or her feel stupid is emotional abuse. Name calling, yelling, shouting, or letting the child see family violence are all forms of emotional abuse.
Sexual Abuse: Exposing a child to any kind of sexual activity, using a child for a sexual purpose, or engaging in sexual acts with a child is sexual abuse. Knowing that a child is in danger of being sexually abused and not reporting the situation is neglect.
Neglect: Ignoring the needs of a child or failing to keep a child healthy and safe from harm is neglect. Not feeding a child enough, refusing to get necessary medical attention for a child, or ignoring the child for long periods of time are all forms of neglect. Refusing to stop the physical, emotional, or sexual abuse of a child is also neglect.
How to Help
HSS has services to help parents treat their children well and raise happy, healthy children.
If you know that a child is suffering physical, emotional or sexual abuse, or neglect, you are required by law to report the abuse to your local social worker or the RCMP.
Click here to contact
your local Social Services office.
I am Being Abused
It is wrong for someone to touch you, hurt you, or do things that make you feel uncomfortable. If someone is treating you in a way that feels wrong, call your local social worker or the RCMP.
You can also tell a teacher, relative, nurse, or any other adult you can trust.
Click here to contact your local Social Services office.
I’m Hurting a Child
If you feel you are hurting a child and want to stop, tell a friend or family member that you need help to change. Hiding the truth is not healthy or in the best interest of the child.
Contact your local Social Services office and ask for help.
More Information
For more information about child protection services in Nunavut, contact your local Social Services office.