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w w w .insidehalton.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, O ctober 27, 2 0 1 7 | 6 EDITORIAL | OPINION Report cases of child neglect No one should hesitate to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect. That's the all-important message the Children's Aid Society (CAS) of Halton is looking to drive hom e to people this month. As October is Child Abuse Prevention M onth, it's an especially timely message that should go without say ing. But what constitutes neglect? A child who is neglected, according to the Children's Aid Society of Halton, is one whose vital needs aren't consistently met. That could mean poor nutrition, lack of attention, hygiene or unattended physical and medi cal needs. "From a child welfare perspective, neglect is a con cern because it ultimately affects a child's ability to thrive," explained Mary Ballantyne, CEO of the Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies (OACAS). This year, the Halton-based society has teamed up with the OACAS and other agencies to highlight the devastating impacts of neglect in the hopes of raising awareness of child neglect in our com m unity -- and be yond. Child neglect can be difficult to assess, say experts, as harm caused by the absence of something is not always readily apparent. A parent's or caregiver's inability to provide a child with his or her basic needs, such as food, shelter, cloth ing, education, supervision, medical care and safe sur roundings, however, can have tremendous impacts on the comm unity's youngest and m ost vulnerable citizens. W hile it is hard to fathom how anyone could neglect a child, some external factors are often at play. Provincial research shows that approximately 9 0 per cent of those who receive protection from Children's Aid live in families that are struggling with chronic needs, including poverty, mental health and addiction. But those factors aren't synonymous with abuse and neglect. Far from it. "It is im portant to understand that although poverty can be a risk factor for both neglect and abuse, children and youth are also abused and neglected in families with higher socio-econom ic status," says the local Children's Aid Society. That's why residents in each and every com m unity -- whatever its econom ic status -- play a vital role in help ing prevent incidences of neglect and abuse. "Making that call can support a child and their fam ily in getting the help they need," said Michael Coteau, Minister of Children and Youth Services. From services and supports to helping families con nect to local resources, the Children's Aid Society of Hal ton is there to ensure the safety and well-being of all. Anyone with concerns about the welfare of a child is urged to dial 9 0 5 -3 3 3 -4 4 4 1 . Remember, your call to Children's Aid could very well be the m ost im portant in a child's life. 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Media a s s o c ia t io n editor@oakvillebeaver.com E @OakvilleBeav @oakvillebeaver £03} insidehalton.com My View Global MPs call for end of intolerance and violence D iplomacy has never been more im portant than it is today. Nation-to-nation dialogue is criti cal to global tolerance, understanding, acceptance and the inclusion necessary for sustaining a peaceful world. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, new technologies and migration are breaking down old bar riers and bringing people together in different ways. Ironically, these developments can also be points of growing intolerance, discrimination and extremism and a critical focus of this year's Inter-Parlia m entary Union General Assembly. I was honored to be chosen as part of the all-Party Canadian delegation to join nearly 2 ,0 0 0 delegates from around the world at the 137th Inter Parliam entary Union (IPU ) General Assembly in St. Petersburg, Russia from Oct. 1 4 -18. The IPU is the global organization of national parliaments that works to safeguard peace and drive positive Pam Damoff North Oakville-Burlington MP dem ocratic change and was the first permanent forum for multilateral dia logue protecting and building global see Parliamentarians on p.7 Pud by Steve Nease KEY M O M , CAN I H A V E A HALLOWEEN P A R TY ? M A F T A N E G O TIA TO R S H A V E NOTHING O N MOMG, CONTACT US The Oakville Beaver 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington ON L7L 5Z1 Phone 905-845-3824 / Fax 905-337-5568 Classified 1-800-263-6480 Digital/Flyers/Retail Advertising 289-293-0624 Real Estate/Homefinder.ca Advertising Suzanne Trickey / 289-293-0677 / strickey@oakvillebeaver.com WHO WE ARE Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 200 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. 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