One year on: recommitting to ‘Don’t Look Away’

Dear Members,

July 16, 2025, marked the one-year anniversary of the release of Don’t Look Away, a pivotal report from the Office of the Representative for Children and Youth.

Don’t Look Away shares the story of the life and tragic death of Colby. Through Colby’s story, the report calls for collective responsibility and action in five key areas: enhancing child well-being, addressing violence, supporting families, including kinship carers, enhancing accountability and supporting jurisdiction.

The Federation continues to support these recommendations. As noted with the report’s release a year ago, these calls to action are not new and echo the experiences and insights Federation members have shared over many years. Change will require new approaches. It will be difficult. Regardless, The Federation is committed to being part of this important work. We will not look away.

Don’t Look Away has rallied many of us and, maybe, more importantly, helped people come together, collaborate and consider how important it is for us to work together as we find ways to transform the current system.

To mark the anniversary, Dr. Jennifer Charlesworth and her team hosted a webinar. Over 300 participants gathered not just to revisit the report, but to examine the systems meant to care for young people and families across British Columbia. It was an opportunity to review what has changed over the past year, where we are seeing meaningful shifts and where more profound transformation is still urgently needed.

The Honourable Jodie Wickens attended and spoke eloquently, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to the recommendations made in the report. She noted that this work will take “a whole of government approach. A whole of community approach.” Confirming a strong mandate to continue this work in collaboration. Minister Wickens also made the commitment to personally work towards the north star with all of us.

Over the past year, The Federation has been reflecting on our collective responsibility and considering how we can contribute to meaningful transformation. We wholeheartedly support the Representative’s call for a Child and Youth Well-being Strategy and Action Plan. Research clearly shows that children, youth and families thrive when society prioritizes the fundamental elements needed for a healthy community.

Additionally, we recognize that there are other important areas where The Federation needs to lead, such as workforce recruitment and retention, with a particular focus on training, and fostering collaboration within our own circles to break down silos. This will enable us to better support children, youth and families.

Don’t Look Away: https://rcybc.ca/hfaq/dont-look-away/
No Time to Wait Pt. 1: https://rcybc.ca/hfaq/no-time-to-wait/
No Time to Wait Pt. 2: https://rcybc.ca/reports-and-publications/no-time-to-wait-pt-2/
Government news release – https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025CFD0001-000677