Yukon’s “Report child abuse” page is a public government resource that explains how to report suspected child abuse and where to get help. For people living with abuse, coercive control, family violence, or unsafe caregiving, this kind of page can be both important and emotionally difficult to read.

If you are here because you are worried about a child, worried about your own safety, or trying to understand what happens when abuse is reported, you deserve clear information and a steady pace. You do not have to figure everything out at once.

A child-abuse reporting resource can affect people in several ways:

• Survivors may feel fear or panic if they worry that asking for help could trigger family conflict, retaliation, or child welfare involvement.
• Parents and caregivers may feel overwhelmed if they are trying to protect a child while also managing violence, housing instability, substance use, mental health stress, or isolation.
• Children and youth may need immediate protection if they are being harmed, neglected, or exposed to unsafe conditions.
• Friends, neighbors, teachers, and service providers may need a simple path for reporting concerns without having to “prove” abuse themselves.

The most important point is this: you do not need to be certain before reaching out. If something feels wrong, it is appropriate to ask for help or make a report.

This resource may be especially relevant to:

• People experiencing domestic violence who are also caring for children
• Children or youth who are being hurt, threatened, neglected, or controlled
• Non-offending parents trying to keep children safe
• Relatives, neighbors, teachers, health workers, and community members who suspect abuse
• People who are unsure whether what they saw “counts” as abuse

If you are a survivor, please know that concern about child safety does not mean you have failed. Abuse often creates confusion, fear, and barriers to getting help.

Reporting suspected child abuse usually means contacting the appropriate child protection or emergency service so trained professionals can assess the situation. A report is not the same as a final finding. It is a request for review and support.

Depending on the urgency, a report may lead to:

• A safety assessment
• A welfare check or follow-up call
• Support services for the child and family
• Coordination with police or health services if there is immediate danger

If a child is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local emergency number right away.

If you are in a stressful or unsafe situation, try to focus on the next small step rather than the whole process.

Ask yourself:

• Is anyone in immediate danger right now?
• Is the child injured, missing, or unable to stay safe?
• Could contacting someone from the home put you at risk?

If the answer is yes or maybe, prioritize emergency help.

If it is safe to do so, note:

• The child’s name and age, if known
• What you saw or heard
• Dates, times, and locations
• Any injuries, threats, or concerning patterns
• Names of people involved, if known

You do not need perfect notes. Even a few details can help.

Choose the method that feels safest for you:

• Call from a private place if possible
• Use a trusted phone or device if yours may be monitored
• Ask a trusted person to help you make the report
• If speaking feels hard, write down what you want to say before calling

You can say things like:

• “I’m worried about a child and I’m not sure what to do.”
• “I saw something that concerned me.”
• “I don’t know if this is abuse, but I think it should be checked.”

You do not need to use the “right” words.

If you make a report, you can ask:

• What will happen after I call?
• Will my name be shared?
• What if I am afraid of retaliation?
• What supports are available for the child or caregiver?

Many survivors delay asking for help because they fear being blamed, losing custody, or having their situation misunderstood. Those fears are real and common.

If this is you:

• You are not alone.
• You deserve support that increases safety, not shame.
• It can help to speak with a domestic violence advocate, legal aid, or a trusted social worker before or after making a report.
• If possible, document your efforts to protect the child and yourself, including calls for help, safety planning, and any threats made by the abusive person.

If the abusive person is using the child to control you, that is important information to share with support services.

• If it is unsafe to call from home, wait until you are in a safer place.
• Clear your call history, browser history, or messages if someone monitors your device and that can be done safely.
• Do not confront an abusive person about a report if doing so could escalate violence.
• If you are planning to leave, try to get advice on safety planning first.
• If a child is in immediate danger, emergency services are the fastest option.

Because local services can change, it is best to use the Yukon government page as the starting point for current reporting instructions. You can also seek support from:

• Emergency services: 911 if there is immediate danger
• Child protection or reporting lines: use the Yukon child abuse reporting resource for current contact details
• Domestic violence shelters and advocates: for safety planning, emotional support, and practical next steps
• Legal aid or family law support: if you are worried about custody, protection orders, or reporting consequences
• Health care providers or counselors: if you need documentation, crisis support, or referrals

If you are outside Yukon, contact your local child protection agency or emergency services.

If a friend, client, student, or family member tells you they are worried about a child:

• Listen without judgment
• Believe their concern
• Help them think through immediate safety
• Offer to sit with them while they call
• Avoid pressuring them to share more than they want
• Remind them that reporting is about safety, not blame

This resource page is a public reporting guide, not a full explanation of every legal outcome. It does not guarantee confidentiality in every situation, and the exact process may depend on urgency, location, and the details of the concern.

If you are unsure whether to report, it is okay to ask for guidance. Reaching out does not mean you are overreacting. It means you are taking a concern seriously.

If you are reading this while scared, exhausted, or unsure, take one breath and one step at a time. You do not have to carry this alone. Support is available, and getting help for a child can also be part of protecting yourself.