The Direction de la protection de la jeunesse (DPJ) does not retain any reports after having looked into the possible case of excision of a two-year-old girl.
After examination, it was not circumcised, determines the DPJ, a finding that puts an end to this file.
“The medical evaluation reveals a completely normal physical development in the child, without any anomaly or malformation”, indicates the CIUSSS of the Capitale-Nationale in a press release released Friday, “at the request of the parents”, is it precise.
The girl’s case was revealed earlier this month by the daily The gallery. He reported that an educator from a childcare center (CPE) in the greater Quebec City region had noticed, while changing the child’s diaper, that her anatomy was unusual, and that she seemed to have undergone genital mutilation. With her director, she would have contacted the DPJ, who would have replied that the case was too delicate to open an investigation, it was reported.
The possible excision and the supposed refusal of the DPJ had led to two interventions by the authorities. The Commission for Human Rights and Youth Rights (CDPDJ) has opened an investigation, and the Minister responsible for Social Services, Lionel Carmant, had assured that the girl will be assessed by the DPJ.
This evaluation has now taken place and, in addition to having determined that his anatomy is normal, the DPJ noted that “his psychomotor development is beyond expectations according to age”.
“The parents showed great collaboration throughout the investigation process. We are currently offering them support services to accompany them in this ordeal that they experience in a traumatic and hurtful way. We wish them good luck and a return to normal life as soon as possible,” said Patrick Corriveau, director of youth protection (DPJ) at the CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale.
When the CDPDJ announced that it was launching its investigation, to ensure that the rights of the child had been respected, it mentioned that the CPE did exactly what it had to do by contacting the DPJ.
The CDPDJ recalled at that time that the Youth Protection Act provides that any professional who provides care to children and who has reasonable cause to believe that their safety or development is compromised — or may be considered as such — “is required to report the situation without delay” to the DYP.
Female circumcision and any other form of genital mutilation are prohibited by the Criminal Code of Canada.
The decision of the DYP in this case does not put an end to the investigation of the Commission des droits de la personne et de la jeunesse.