Are you, a loved one or someone you know being abused or neglected or at risk of abuse?
Do you have concerns that a child, an adult with a disability and/or a senior is being abused or neglected and feel you need to tell someone?
If you answered yes, the Department of Social Development may be able to help as it has several programs that offer support and services.
If you feel you or someone else is in a life-threatening situation call 911.
Groups who can be helped by Social Development’s Protection Programs:
Adults with a disability and Seniors
An Adult with a disability is someone 19 years of age or over who has a mental, physical or cognitive disability that substantially limits their ability to carry out normal daily activities.
A Senior is someone who has reached the age of 65 years or older.
The Adult Protection Program at Social Development operates under the Family Services Act to serve seniors and adults with a disability who may be experiencing abuse or neglect. The Program can assist when a senior or an adult with a disability is abused or neglected and will works to protect these individuals while recognizing that competent adults have the right to make their own decisions and live their lives as they wish.
Safeguarding vulnerable seniors and adults with a disability who are at risk of harm sits at the heart of government. The legal mandate, policies and procedures of the Adult Protection Program recognizes that Adults have the right to autonomy and self-determination and the right to enjoy the fundamental rights and freedoms prescribed in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Children (15 or younger) and youth (16-18 years of age)
The Child and Youth Protection Program at Social Development provides protection to any children or youth under the age of 19, whose care at home is believed to place the child's security and development in danger, in accordance with the Child and Youth Well-being Act. Under the act, professionals are mandated to report suspected cases of child/youth abuse and neglect. The Act considers physical, mental and sexual forms of abuse and neglect that is self-inflicted or caused by others. Services provided are based on the best interests of the child/youth and, wherever possible, are focused on keeping the family together.
What about abuse, neglect and assault outside of New Brunswick?
If you are concerned about someone who is not from New Brunswick, you can contact that province’s Department of Social Services. Here is a list of contact numbers for all departments in Canada.
Anyone can call the Department of Social Development, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to report their concerns about the treatment of a child, an adult with a disability or a senior.
What is abuse and/or neglect?
Abuse in any form is wrong. Abuse and neglect can happen anywhere at any time to anyone of any age, activity level, income level or cultural background. It can happen to people who live alone, with family, in a facility or any other type of setting. More that one type of abuse or neglect can happen at the same time.
Types of abuse and/or neglect: Please click here for complete definitions.
- Physical Abuse (ex: slapping, pushing, hitting, etc.)
- Neglect/ Self Neglect (ex: withholding food or health services, inadequate clothing, poor personal hygiene, etc.)
- Medication Misuse (ex: withholding medication, overmedicating, etc.)
- Psychological/ Emotional Abuse (ex: yelling at, criticizing, threatening, humiliating, isolating, etc.)
- Sexual Abuse (ex: any unwanted sexual act such as touching, kissing, fondling, etc.)
- Financial Abuse and Exploitation (ex: theft as well as misuse of money, pension, cheques, property, etc.)
The Protection Programs are for a child, an adult with a disability or a senior who is a victim of abuse or neglect as described above.
Call the toll-free number 1-833-733-7835 at the Department of Social Development to talk to a social worker. All reports of abuse, neglect or risk of abuse are assessed by trained social workers. Under the Family Services Act and the Child and Youth Well-Being Act, the Department of Social Development has the authority to investigate.
When you finish talking, the social worker will give you details on what will happen next. Once abuse or neglect is confirmed, services are provided through the Protection Programs or other programs within Social Development.
During the call, the social worker will ask you to share information about yourself and all the information that you have concerning the situation being referred and about the person you have concerns for.