Quebec's youth protection directorate sounds alarm about psychologically abused kids

Quebec's directorate ofyouth protection says agencies across the province haveseen a three per cent increase in complaints from minors about psychological mistreatment over the last eight years.

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The2015-2016 report by the Direction de la protection de la jeunesse (DPJ)seeks to raise awareness about the issue, so that more adults take action when they see children enduring psychological abuse.

"It is an area of maltreatment that is less spoken of and less heard of," said Assunta Gallo, director of youth protection for CIUSSS de l'Ouest-de-l'le-de-Montral,the regional agency that administers BatshawYouth and Family Centres. Batshawserves English-Montrealers across the island.

The DPJ says psychological mistreatment can take many forms, including:

• Exposure to violence.
• Isolation.
• Threats.
• Excessive control.
• Conflict between a couple.

"When we look at the law, psychological mistreatment is very clear. It tells us to look for situations that are serious and continuous," said Sonia Mailloux, director of youth protection for Laval's regional health and social services agency.

Batshaw sees 20% increase

In the last year, Montreal's anglophone and allophonecommunity, served by Batshaw, saw a 20 per cent increasein cases related to psychological mistreatment.

Gallo says that jump can, in part, bechalked up to greater vigilance by youth protection workers, because of new guidelines that have been drawn up.

They're not feeling loved. They're not feeling wanted. They are being denigrated or being humiliated.- Assunta Gallo, director of youth protection services forCIUSSSdel'Ouest-de-l'le-de-Montral

She also notices asea change in terms of overall awareness of the issue.

"As a society, we're collectively becoming more alert to the fact that psychological mistreatment has long-term impacts on children," she said.

Problems focusing and learning in school, low self-esteemand behavioural issues are just a few of the possible effectsof psychological mistreatment.

"They're not feeling loved. They're not feeling wanted. They are being denigrated or being humiliated. This becomes something that they believe about themselves: that they are not deserving of being loved," Gallosaid.

Laval youth centres see decrease in runaways

Despite several high-profile cases of runaways from Laval youth centres in the last few months, Mailloux says that the situation is "under control."

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"Compared to this day a year ago, there have been 50 per centless runaways from youth centres," she said.

She noted that three out of fourrunaways are gone for less than 24 hours.

"Youth centres are not in crisis," saidric Salois, director of youth protection for the CISSS Delanaudire.

This February, the provincial government respondedto public concern about a string of runaway teens and fears many were being lured into prostitutionby announcing new measures aimed at preventing the sexual exploitation of teenage girls.

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The project, called Prvention Jeunesse, will see $3 million invested over fiveyears.