Child Abuse Investigation Program

The Abuse Investigation Services provide a standardized approach to investigating allegations of physical, sexual and emotional abuse against children. The goal of the program is to ensure that children receive protective services related to abuse as outlined in the Honouring our Children, Families and Nation Act;

Action by Agency             

On receiving information that causes the Agency to suspect that a Child is or might be abused, the Agency shall:

(a) where there is a preliminary opinion that serious physical injury or sexual exploitation of the Child has occurred, immediately consult with a duly qualified medical practitioner and where believed necessary and appropriate, arrange for a medical examination of the Child and any other Child by a duly qualified medical practitioner or at a medical child abuse facility; 

(b) notify and consult immediately with an appropriate Peace Officer for the area as to the particulars of the case;

(c) share all relevant information, including information of a confidential nature, with the Peace Officers, medical and hospital professionals and other agencies or persons involved in the investigation and management of the case, to ensure the best course of action for the protection of the Child is taken; and 

(d) refer the matter to the Child Abuse Committee.

The Agency coordinates a Child Abuse Committee whose primary responsibility to review all Child Abuse Investigations and to maintain best interest of the children. The Committee members also make recommendation to the Agency pertaining to entry of the identified offender(s) into the Manitoba Child Abuse Registry. 

Child Abuse Committee

Child Abuse Committee consists of representatives from Child & Family Services, Public Health, Probation, Education and the RCMP. The committee reviews instances of child abuse. This multi-disciplinary team provides consultation in the investigation and management of cases and makes recommendations regarding the protection of children. Child abuse committees are an integral part of the review and management of abuse cases.

Child abuse committees allow all key members of the investigation to come together, share their findings and make further decisions about both the investigations and plans of action.

The child abuse committee must have, at minimum, the following five mandatory members:

• the agency’s child abuse coordinator
• a duly qualified health care practitioner employed, retained or consulted by the agency to review cases of suspected child abuse for the agency
• a police officer representing a law enforcement service operating in the area within the agency’s jurisdiction
• a representative of a school division located within the area of the agency’s jurisdiction
• a staff member of the agency, other than the child abuse coordinator

The responsibilities of the child abuse committee are to:

• review every case of suspected abuse referred to the committee
• review, as required, the involvement of the police, medical and hospital professionals, and others involved in the investigation and management of the case
• provide consultation in the investigation and management of the case
• make recommendations where it is considered appropriate or necessary to protect the child or any other child

Once the child abuse committee has reviewed the case, the committee is responsible for the following key actions:

(a) form an opinion whether the person abused the child;

(b) form an opinion whether the name of the person should be entered in the [child abuse] registry; and

(c) report its opinions and, where it has formed the opinion that the person has abused the child, the circumstances of the abuse to the agency.

Where a child abuse committee suspects a person of having abused a child, the committee shall, in the prescribed manner, give to the person who is suspected an opportunity to provide information to it and shall:

When entry on the registry is recommended by the child abuse committee, the person to be listed must be notified and has the right to object to the listing through the Court of Queen’s Bench of Manitoba, which will then determine whether the person has abused a child. If no notice of application is filed in the court within 60 days by the person who is subject to the report, the agency must report the name of the person and the circumstances of the abuse to the Child and Family Services director for entry on the child abuse registry.

Honesty – carried by the Sabe

The Sabe is a very gentle creature, and for this the Creator gave him a gift. The Creator saw that it saddened Sabe when the people were so afraid of him. So the Creator gave him the ability to be either physical or spiritual, and this is why he’s never been captured and never will be. But he brings the message to live honestly. Be who the Creator made you with honor – the Red Man – whether you’re a man or woman and live it to the best of your ability. And if you live a truly honest life you will be as big as a Sabe. To journey through life with integrity is to know honesty. Sabe walks among people. Sabe teaches us to be true to ourselves and our spirit. Allowing truth to guide us and accepting who are we will guide us to being honest. 

We feed him potatoes and onions by placing them in a tree. The Sabe carries the medicine Weekay.