Child and Youth Advocate releases Statement of Concern

“Family breakdown is one of the most difficult circumstances young people can experience,” said Del Graff, Provincial Advocate. “It is important that parents respond to their children’s emotional needs and minimize their exposure to conflict. Unfortunately, there is a concerning trend in family conflict with a number of young people looking for support managing custody and access issues because their needs are not being met.”

To support young people experiencing the adverse effects of family breakdown, the Advocate urges access to resources at the earliest stages including creating open communication and partnerships between professionals, community stakeholders and government. Professionals especially, need the tools and training to support young people who are experiencing high-conflict custody and access issues.

The Advocate is calling on the Government of Alberta, with leadership from the Ministry of Justice and Solicitor General, and in collaboration with other child-serving ministries, to take action to ensure that formal and informal supports are readily available to families in high-conflict custody disputes. He is also asking them to develop an ongoing information/education campaign to raise awareness of how children are impacted by high-conflict custody and access disputes.

The campaign should highlight that resolution services are accessible to all Albertans to ensure that young peoples’ voices and needs are at the forefront during family restructuring.

The Statement of Concern allows the Child and Youth Advocate to provide advice to the Government of Alberta with respect to any matter relating to the rights, interests and well-being of children.

The Statement of Concern can be found under Reports at: https://www.ocya.alberta.ca/adult/publications/other-ocya-reports/.