Legal Resources

Booklet explains when to report child abuse and neglect, and what to report. Includes what child abuse and neglect is, warning signs, what to do if a child tells you about the abuse, and what to do if you suspect abuse. It also explains what to expect when you make the report and what happens next.

Explains that the law protects children from physical and sexual abuse, as well as neglect. Learn how child protection laws work and what to do if you think a child is being abused. It explains your legal duty to report child abuse, and how you make a report of child abuse.

Information about where to report child abuse, the duty to report abuse and suspected abuse, how to report, what to report, and what happens next.

Explains peace bonds, family law protection orders, and things you can do to help you and your family stay safe from an abusive or violent person.

Provides information about what you can do if there is a child protection concern in your family and contacts for getting legal help. It also explains your role as a relative in a child abuse case, such as being involved in developing a comprehensive plan of care and providing a safe home for the child.

Describes what abuse, neglect, and self-neglect are, what a designated agency can do, and how the community-response network aims to provide a coordinated response to these complex problems.

When a temporary placement for a child is not possible, the alternative could be transferring custody to the caregiver by adoption or a court order. This page briefly describes the conditions, guardian’s responsibilities, financial support, rights, access orders, and future legal matters.

Explains peace bonds, which can offer protection if you fear for your safety. Topics include how peace bonds work, and what to do if a person disobeys a peace bond. It includes the steps you need to take to get a peace bond.

Describes Parents Legal Centres (PLCs), a Legal Aid BC service that provides a free lawyer and an advocate to help parents address child protection issues early on. The service is available to eligible parents any time after the social worker contacts them.

This website helps you fill out the forms needed to apply for family court orders, such as for protection orders, parenting arrangements, child support, contact with a child, guardianship, spousal support, case management, priority parenting matters, relocation of a child, and enforcement.