DYPs/PDs Annual Report - Psychological iIl-treatment unspoken and unheard

MONTRÉAL, June 14, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - As part of their 13^th Annual Report, the Directors of Youth Protection/Provincial Directors (DYPs/PDs) would like to raise awareness on psychological ill-treatment or abuse. Introduced in 2006, with the revision of the Youth Protection Act, as a situation that endangers the security and development of children, psychological ill-treatment is a topic that goes unspoken and unheard that is still rarely addressed. That is why the DYPs/PDs want to explain and also attest to the devastating effect psychological ill-treatment can have on children.

Psychological ill-treatment that directly affects children can take on different forms, including indifference, denigration, emotional rejection, threats or exploitation. Some children are affected indirectly through exposure to a severe parental conflict around separation or domestic violence. Psychological ill-treatment can occur in any family, regardless of social class, education level or type. Children who are emotionally abused perceive themselves as bad, worthless, unloved and unwanted, perhaps in danger, and also feel responsible for their family's problems.

A wealth of research and studies on the subject leave no room for doubt. This form of ill-treatment is widely spread among children and causes severe harm to its victims. Psychological ill-treatment has emotional, social, intellectual and physical repercussions on children. Some will suffer from anxiety, severe depression, attention disorder, learning difficulties and exhibit serious behaviour problems. Examples are included in a video presented by DYPs/PDs as part of their Annual Report: https:/youtu.be/q0O54Ccclyc

In 2015-2016, 87,800 signalements were received by DYPs/PDs in Québec. This represents an average of 240 signalements per day, an increase of 1.1% over previous years.

Of the 34,911 signalements retained, 5,492 were for situations of psychological ill-treatment, a steady increase of 3 % since 2008.

Words and gestures can hurt a child and leave a lasting mark, much like those left on a piece of crumpled paper. We have a responsibility to act together to keep it intact, so every child can draw a picture of themselves that is filled with colour and light, one that will allow them to walk tall and remain hopeful for the future.

To view the Annual Report: bit.ly/bilanDPJ2016

SOURCE Institut national d'excellence en santé et en services sociaux

Sabrina Gariepy, Media Relations, CIUSSS de l'Ouest-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, 514 630-2225, ext: 5257, [email protected]