Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Children And Youth
This Is What We Heard About Issues Affecting Children And Youth
More than half the residents of the Northwest Territories are under 18 years of age. Any review of our health and social services must take into account the particular issues facing
these important members of our community. Here is what we heard:
Child Sexual Abuse Is A Terrible Reality
Few things disturbed us more, during our entire review, than what we heard about the extent and devastating effects of child sexual abuse. According to some people, child sexual abuse is at the core of many of the social problems presently facing residents of the Northwest Territories. Attempted suicide, substance abuse and criminal behaviour are just some of the lasting consequences associated with the unresolved effects of child sexual abuse. Other concerns related to this problem include the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS, and girls becoming pregnant as early as the age of twelve.
People want greater recognition, prevention and community treatment of child sexual abuse and its effects on our young. At the same time, it is clear that there are obstacles in the way of such efforts.
These obstacles include: a shortage of community resources; ineffective public education; a lack of shelters in which children might find protection; the absence of therapy and follow-up care for victims and offenders; and what is perceived to be excessive leniency on the part of juries towards accused abusers.
We Need More Housing, Shelter And Recreational Facilities
We heard many requests for additional facilities in which children can seek emergency shelter and pursue safe recreational activity.
A troubled home creates a troubled social environment for many children. We were told that overcrowded housing takes a terrific toll on young people. A number of these effects were previously identified by the Legislative Assembly's Special Committee on Housing in 1985. These consequences include: a turbulent family life; poor parenting behaviour; fighting between parents; drunkenness by one or more family members; mental stress; overcrowded sleeping conditions; a lack of privacy; the neglect or abuse of children; poor study habits and absenteeism from school.
We heard that home life can be so difficult for children that they may be safer on the streets late at night, in violation of local curfews, than in their own homes. That is why people are calling for more shelters in which children can find respite for a few hours or overnight if conditions at home become unbearable.
Children told us that boredom caused by a lack of safe group activity was a major concern. We heard that better access to recreational facilities, including school gyms, would provide young people with something to do.
Several problems were identified around existing school policies in this area. These include the fact that schools are often closed after 5:00 pm, a lack of volunteers to supervise activity when school gyms are open and the need to pay fees in order to play many organized sports. People are also looking to other solutions, such as local drop-in centres and the use of camps on the land.
We Heard That Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Fetal Alcohol Effects Require Greater Attention
FAS/FAE were raised as particular health and social problems facing our children in many communities. We heard estimates that anywhere from 15 to 50 per cent of the students in a given school, and up to 25 per cent in one region, may show the effects of FAS/FAE, which are caused by women drinking during pregnancy.
It is difficult to determine just how widespread these ailments may be. We are disappointed and alarmed that the government has yet to respond to a recommendation in this area, contained in one of our Interim Reports to the Legislative Assembly. In March of 1993, we called on the government to undertake a clinical study to get an accurate picture of the incidence of FAS/FAE in the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Chairman, the next speaker is Mr. Tony Whitford.