Violence in the sports community
If a person has valid reasons to believe an underage person is in danger, that person is legally obligated to report it to the Director of Youth Protection (DYP). [E]
In what circumstances is a child considered in danger?
- The child is abandoned.
- The child is neglected.
- The child is subjected to psychological ill-treatment.
- The child is subjected to sexual abuse or there is a serious risk of sexual abuse.
- The child is subjected to physical abuse or there is a serious risk of physical abuse.
- The child displays serious behavioural problems.
Youth Protection Act, excerpts
Article 39: Every professional who, by the very nature of his profession, provides care or any other form of assistance to children and who, in the practice of his profession, has reasonable grounds to believe that the security or development of a child is or may be considered to be in danger within the meaning of section 38 or 38.1, must bring the situation to the attention of the director without delay. The same obligation is incumbent upon any employee of an institution, any teacher, any person working in a childcare establishment or any policeman who, in the performance of his duties, has reasonable grounds to believe that the security or development of a child is or may be considered to be in danger within the meaning of the said provisions.
Mandatory reporting: Any person, other than a person referred to in the first paragraph, who has reasonable grounds to believe that the security or development of a child is considered to be in danger within the meaning of subparagraphs d and e of the second paragraph of section 38 must bring the situation to the attention of the director without delay.
Discretionary reporting: Any person, other than a person referred to in the first paragraph, who has reasonable grounds to believe that the security or development of a child is or may be considered to be in danger within the meaning of subparagraph a, b, c or f of the second paragraph of section 38 or within the meaning of section 38.1 may bring the situation to the attention of the director.
Professional secrecy: The first, second and fourth paragraphs apply even to persons who are bound by professional secrecy, except to advocates or notaries who, in the practice of their profession, receive information concerning a situation described in section 38 or 38.1.