REGINA, November 10, 2011 – Today, Ray Boughen, Member of Parliament for Palliser, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada announced federal government funding for the Regina Children's Justice Centre. This project brings together police, the Crown prosecutor's office, health authorities, and child welfare agencies to serve young victims of crime.
"Our Government is committed to protecting victims of crime and giving them a voice in the criminal justice system,
" said Minister Nicholson. "Today, we are pleased to be moving forward with various Regina agencies on such an important initiative to enhance a child-focused facility that stands up for young victims of crime.
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The aim of the Regina Children's Justice Centre is similar to Child Advocacy Centres throughout Canada and around the world: to minimize the trauma of being a child victim of crime or witness to crime. A CAC is a place where a team of professionals work in a child-friendly setting to help a child or youth victim or witness navigate the criminal justice system.
"Regina's Children's Justice Centre will reflect the joint efforts of many local community agencies that are helping children and youth who are victims of abuse and crime,
" said MP Boughen. "This government is proud to commit to protecting the youngest members of our communities.
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"This funding is a great opportunity to enhance our collaborative approach by creating a new Victim Services Responder position that ensures the proper services and support are provided to children and their families,
" said Regina Police Chief Troy Hagen. "The Victim Services Responder works with police, child protection workers, healthcare workers and prosecutors at the Regina Children's Justice Centre to minimize the trauma experienced by victims and their families in a compassionate way.
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The $104,127 in federal funding over two years comes from $5.25 million in funding over five years that was announced October 7, 2010 and is made available through the Victims Fund at the Department of Justice. In 2007, the Government announced the Federal Victims Strategy and committed $52 million over four years to respond to the needs of victims of crime. In Budget 2011, the Government announced $26 million in renewed funding over the next two years to continue the Federal Victims Strategy.
Backgrounder: Child Advocacy Centres
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