A report by Youth Protection Services in the Eastern Townships indicates that there has been a decrease in reports to Child Protection Services in general, but a surge in reports related to children exposed to domestic violence.
Stephanie Jetté, director of la Direction de la Protection de la Jeunesse Estrie, presented these findings at a press conference on Tuesday, June 18.
The report highlighted that in the 2023-2024 period, there were 9,126 reports to Youth Protection Services in the Eastern Townships, marking a 2.4% decrease from previous years, the first decline since 2011.
However, reports specifically related to children exposed to domestic violence surged by 17%, indicating heightened awareness and reporting of these distressing cases. Jetté underscored the profound impact of domestic violence on children, citing increased risks of psychological issues like depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
