MONTREAL, June 15, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - For their 12th annual report, the Directors of Youth Protection who are also Provincial Directors (DYP-PD) would like to give voice to the children and the youth to remind us all of what helps them grow, thrive and become adults who will build tomorrow's world.
Children rarely have the opportunity to be heard in political debates or on the news to express their basic needs and how we should respond. Their voices are not present in conventional and social media.
This year, several social measures relating to children and adolescents were questioned. The DYP-PDs are aware of the budgetary efforts that Quebec needs to do. On behalf of the children, especially the most vulnerable, DYP-PDs want to take the opportunity of this annual report to remind us all of the importance of being attentive to the needs of our youth and prioritize them.
To develop fully, our children need love, security and stability. It is also fundamental that their integrity be respected. They need an enabling environment conducive for learning and development to promote the growth of their autonomy. Discipline is essential, it allows our children to acquire values, sense of responsibility and distinguish what is acceptable in the family, at school and in society. Wanting to give them a voice, DYP-PDs gave them the opportunity to comment on their needs in videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0FF4N_OVKU&feature=youtu.be.
It is with these needs in mind that the Youth Protection Act was implemented 36 years ago. However, everyday 238 children are signalled across the province because their basic needs are not being met.
This year, the DYP-PDs have handled 86 861 signalements, an increase of 4.8% from last year. Although neglect and serious risk of neglect remain the most common reasons for retention, there is a steady increase in signalements retained for physical abuse and serious risk of physical abuse, as well as psychological abuse.
Since the implementation of the Youth Protection Act in in 1979, signalements have increased by 189%. This is an indication that maltreatment merits all our attention.
Camil Bouchard recently mentioned that the prevention of abuse and neglect of our children must become a national priority. According to him, we, as a society, must look seriously at the steady increase of signalements to better understand it, and thus reverse this trend. The DYP-PDs of Quebec think that this idea needs to be seriously considered by all concerned.
In this period of budgetary rigor, it is even more important to remain attentive to the basic needs of our children and to consider the services to children and adolescents as an investment in our future. They are our adults of tomorrow. We must all hear and relay their voices so as to guide our collective choices.
Link to the annual report:
http://www.centrejeunessemonteregie.qc.ca/le-centre-jeunesse/publications/
SOURCE Association des centres jeunesse du Québec (ACJQ)
Marie-Hélène Juneau : 438 887-2077, [email protected]; CIUSSS du Centre-Est-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, For Michelle Dionne, DPJ, Monique Guay, 514 762-2777, 53306, [email protected]; CIUSSS de l'Ouest-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, For Assunta Gallo, DPJ, Claire Roy : 514 989-1885, poste 1017, [email protected]; CISSS de Laval, For Jacques Dubé, DPJ, Charlaine Laplante : 450 975-4150, poste 3813, [email protected]; CISSS de Lanaudière, For Éric Salois, DPJ, Mathieu Marsolais : 450 759-5333, poste 2119 ou 450 803-6067, [email protected]; CISSS de la Montérégie-Est, For Maryse Davreux, DPJ, Chantal Huot : 450 928-5125, poste 15003 ou 514 713-4562, [email protected]
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