The Government of Canada strengthens support for child and youth victims of abuse and violence in British Columbia Français

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Department of Justice Canada

May 22, 2019, 20:03 ET

MAPLE RIDGE, BC, May 22, 2019 /CNW/ - Canadians expect to live in a society where the criminal justice system is fair and impartial and supports the needs of victims. This is especially important when those victims or witnesses of abuse and violence are children and youth.

Today, the Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, announced funding of $263,718 for Alisa's Wish Child and Youth Advocacy Centre in Maple Ridge, British Columbia. With this support, Alisa's Wish will strengthen their services, support a transition to a sustainable funding model, and continue offering accessible, integrated services that respond to the needs of child and youth victims of abuse or violence.

Child victims need safe, comfortable spaces where they can obtain services that are adapted and customized to their needs in order to lessen, in the short, medium and long term, the consequences of the violence they have experienced. Through the Child Advocacy Centre (CAC) Initiative, the Government of Canada is working to provide increased support to these victims and their families by providing funding to create multi-disciplinary, coordinated and child-and-youth centred services in one location.

The CAC Initiative provides funding to a number of victim-serving, non-governmental organizations whose programs and activities are aligned with the priorities of the Victims Fund and the Government of Canada.

Quotes

"In supporting this project, we are contributing to effective intervention with child and youth victims of abuse and violence to give them the support they need. I am proud that the Government of Canada is able to enable the Alisa's Wish Child and Youth Advocacy Centre to strengthen their essential, multi-disciplinary programs that make a difference in the lives of British Columbians."

The Honourable David Lametti, P.C., Q.C., M.P.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

"We are honoured to have been given the opportunity and support of the Department of Justice Canada, these last several years which has allowed us to develop our amazing, dedicated multidisciplinary team of CYAC Community Partners and a coordinated service delivery response to the abuse of children/youth victims and witnesses to violence.  Through this funding, we provide a safe, child-friendly setting and a trauma-informed approach that keeps the needs of the child at the center of the work as we collaborate in the investigation, support and treatment of young victims who walk through the doors of Alisa's Wish."

Colette Madsen, Director of Programs & Services,
Alisa's Wish CYAC; Community Services

"For years, Alisa's Wish has provided effective, compassionate care for children and youth in Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge. Confronting the impacts of abuse can often be traumatizing, but through facilitation and prevention services, the organization lessens the burden felt by many victims and their families. With this funding, they will continue to provide the community with an important service."

Dan Ruimy, Member of Parliament for Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge

At a glance

  • According to self-reported data from the 2014 General Social Survey on victimization, nearly a third (32%) of Canadians aged 15 years and older – nearly 9 million people – reported childhood physical or sexual abuse.
  • Children who have visited a Child Advocacy Centre (CAC) are generally satisfied with the experience and are more likely to indicate that they were not frightened during the medical/legal interview, compared to children living in communities that do not have a CAC.
    Source: JustFacts, Children's Advocacy Centres, Melissa Lindsay, Research and Statistics Division, Department of Justice, 2013-12-05
  • Parents whose children have received services from a CAC are more satisfied with the investigative process and interview procedures than parents whose children received services from an organization other than a CAC.
    Source: JustFacts, Children's Advocacy Centres, Melissa Lindsay, Research and Statistics Division, Department of Justice, 2013-12-05

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SOURCE Department of Justice Canada

media may contact: Rachel Rappaport, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Justice, 613-992-6568, [email protected]; Media Relations, Department of Justice Canada, 613-957-4207, [email protected]

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