Duty to Report - Child Physical and Sexual Abuse

by Sarah A
(Manitoba, Canada)

I am an adult resident of Manitoba and have been made aware of some gross negligence & abuse that has been occuring to 2 precious children for a number of years now. The problem at hand is that both children are in foster care on a native reserve. Despite the older child disclosing physical abuse to numerous adults and various caregivers as well as a picture and complaints of the younger child almost obsessively placing objects in the vaginal area of her dolls, both children are still in care in the home where the abuse has been occuring. Despite an independant assesment being completed 3-4 weeks ago, at the request of the courts, with the recommendation of "immediate removal" of both children, we found out on Friday , May 25 that they are still in the home. As well, no abuse reports have been presented or completed as far as we know, despite the numerous allegations. This is all going through the courts but in the meantime, myself and my family have reason to believe that both of these children are in immediate and ongoing danger. We have exhausted all of our leads and have contacted any and all parties that we have been told to go through. It appears that going through the legal, normal channels has done nothing.

We feel as a family that we are upholding our "duty to report", however, it has continuously fallen on deaf ears.

We have almost 2 years of documentation of negligence on behalf of the social workers, the child advocate, the southern authority, CFS and the reserve however, due to child privacy laws, we are not allowed to share any of this info, so that means what?? That these children are being made to suffer not only quietly but secretly. I don't know who else we are supposed to tell. I don't know who's job it is to fix this. It is sick and disgusting and time for someone to help them.

Thank you for your time.

Sarah A