Justice and Public Safety
June 10, 2016
Public Advisory: Child Death Review Committee Case Reviews
Under section 13.5 of the Fatalities Investigations Act, the Minister of Justice and Public Safety is required, within 60 days after receiving a report from the Child Death Review Committee (CDRC), to make public those recommendations relating to:
- Relevant protocols, policies and procedures;
- Standards and legislation;
- Linkages and coordination of services; and
- Improvements to services affecting children and pregnant women.
The CDRC forwarded two reports to the Minister of Justice and Public Safety on May 12, 2016. The reports examine the facts and circumstances surrounding two unrelated deaths of youth in Newfoundland and Labrador that occurred in August and September, 2015.
Case 1:
A youth died by suicide.
Recommendation:
- Eastern Health develop a transition system giving immediate access to adult services for youth who require ongoing service upon leaving the children�s mental health service.
Case 2:
A youth died as the result of a motor vehicle accident.
Recommendations:
- The Department of Justice and Public Safety develop awareness initiatives customized for young drivers regarding seat belt usage and safe driving records;
- The Department of Justice and Public Safety develop restrictions for young drivers designed to improve their safety, such as expanded driving curfews and restrictions on highway driving in the evening/night; and
- The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police increase efforts to ensure compliance with seat belt regulations.
This report has been forwarded to the Child and Youth Advocate.
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Media contact:
Luke Joyce
Director of Communications
Department of Justice and Public Safety
709-729-6985, 725-4165
lukejoyce@gov.nl.ca
2016 06 10 11:55 a.m.