New Brunswick child and youth advocate Norm Bossé launched a five-year plan Tuesday to take action on eliminating all types of harm committed against children.
Bossé hopes the plan will protect children from physical, sexual, and emotional harm or neglect.
Young people were involved in the formation of the plan by identifying their most pressing priority – the right for every child to live in a family setting.
“That doesn’t mean it’s necessarily a mom and dad and white picket fence, it means having adult supports in your life,”said youth representative Amanda Richard.
“Youth need to be part of the decisions that affect their lives.”
Child internet exploitation, bullying prevention, making First Nations history a part of school curriculum, and plans to study university campus attitudes about sexual assault were all elements of the plan.
“One of the most serious things that we noted right away, and that youth pointed out to us (was) youth mental health,” said Bossé. “It figures largely in this strategic plan, and they told us that, and we listened.”
Mental health programs meant for young people tend to fall off at age 21. There's a push underway to extend that age to 25.
“By creating safe spaces by making sure youth can access youth mental health services much quicker than they are today,” said Bossé.
Bossé says no recommendations were included in the plan.
“There are no recommendations because this is not a typical report because it's a strategic plan,” said Bossé.
Progress will be measured by an intergovernmental working group over the next five years.
“We didn’t have a mechanism to monitor and evaluate all the areas discussed in this report,” said Miguel LeBlanc of the New Brunswick Social Workers Association.
It's what Bossé says will make this report different, and not just talk.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Nick Moore.
