Child Advocacy · Know Your Rights

Understanding Your Rights: A Guide for Youth

If you are a young person navigating a difficult home situation, a custody dispute, or a family court process, this guide is for you. You have rights. And knowing them is the first step to using them.

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You Have the Right to Be Heard

In family court proceedings that affect you, most jurisdictions in Canada and the United States recognize that children and youth have the right to have their views considered. This does not always mean you will speak directly in court, but it does mean a judge or appointed representative should take your perspective seriously.

In many provinces and states, a lawyer or advocate called an Office of the Children’s Lawyer (OCL) representative or Guardian ad Litem can be appointed specifically to represent your interests, separate from either parent.

You Have the Right to Safety

Regardless of what is happening between adults in your life, your physical and emotional safety is a legal priority. If you feel unsafe at home, you have the right to tell a trusted adult: a teacher, school counsellor, doctor, or social worker, and they are legally required to take that seriously.

Child protection services exist specifically for situations where a young person’s safety is at risk. Reaching out is not a betrayal; it is you using a system that was designed to protect you.

You Have the Right to Information

If your parents are going through a separation or custody dispute, you have a right to age-appropriate explanations about what is happening. You should not be used as a messenger between parents, and you should never be pressured to choose sides or keep secrets that make you uncomfortable.

You Have the Right to Support

Counselling, advocacy, and crisis support are available to young people, and in most cases, you do not need a parent’s permission to access them. The resources below are confidential, free, and designed for you.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by province, territory, and state. If you need legal guidance specific to your situation, contact a licensed legal professional or legal aid service in your region. See our Resources & Help page for regional contacts.