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Protecting children and youth

Last updated on July 13, 2026

If a child or youth is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1 or your local police. 

If you think a child or youth under 19 may be at risk, please call 1-800-663-9122 at any time of the day or night (calls are free). 

Under the Child, Family and Community Service Act (CFCSA), everyone has a legal duty to report if they believe a child or youth may be abused, neglected, or is for any other reason in need of protection. Call Ministry of Children and Family Development's Provincial Centralized Screening (PCS) at 1-800-663-9122 any time, day or night.

  • You do not need to be certain to make a report. Just share what you know.
  • You do not have to give your name.

After you call, a child welfare worker assesses the information and decides the next steps. Child welfare workers always choose the least disruptive option that will keep the child or youth safe.

PEACE Programs

PEACE (Prevention, Education, Advocacy, Counselling and Empowerment) programs (formerly Children Who Witness Abuse programs) provide group and individual counselling for children ages 3 – 18 who have witnessed abuse, threats or violence in the home. For more information, find a PEACE program in the Victim Services & Violence Against Women Programs Directory or call VictimLinkBC.

Victim Services

Victim service programs are also available to help children and young people who are victims of crime. To receive information, support and referral to a local victim service program, call VictimLinkBC or the Youth Against Violence Line.