Child and Youth Advocate Releases Investigative Report “Seen But Not Heard”

  • Office of the Child and Youth Advocate

April 25, 2019

Child and Youth Advocate Jackie Lake Kavanagh has released a new investigative report Seen But Not Heard. This investigation involved children subjected to years of abuse within their family and in a subsequent alternate care arrangement while they were receiving protection services from the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development.

The purpose of this report is to learn from these circumstances and to make recommendations for improvements to prevent similar incidents for children in the future. The Report makes six recommendations focusing on several systemic areas for improvement, including early intervention and prevention, mental health responses, services for children in care, as well as permanency planning for children and youth in care.

Jackie Lake Kavanagh stated, “The system established to protect these children failed them. These children did not deserve what happened to them and it was not their fault. They were seen, but not heard. I truly hope these children find a path to healing and that they are heard.”

The Child and Youth Advocate has made every effort to ensure this report does not identify these children and asks readers to respect the privacy of these children and not focus on identities or location. The well-being of these children is what is most important.

This report is on the OCYA website: www.childandyouthadvocate.nf.ca/ PDF Icon

The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate can be reached by calling (1-877) 753-3888, emailing office@ocya.nl.ca and on Twitter @OCYANL external link

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Media contact
Wilma MacInnis
Office of the Child and Youth Advocate
709-753-3888
wilmamacinnis@ocya.nl.ca

2019 04 25 11:45 am