WINNIPEG, January 18, 2012 – The Honourable Rob Nicholson P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced federal government funding for the Canadian Centre for Child Protection that will help locate missing children, work with First Nations and expand online resources that will protect children from abuse.
"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 child protection projects that will focus on protecting the most vulnerable members of our society - young victims of serious crime.
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"We are grateful for the Government of Canada's continued support of our agency," said Lianna McDonald, Executive Director of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection. "This funding will strengthen our ability to provide comprehensive services to child victims, address gaps in services and tackle emerging sexual exploitation issues.
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"Canada's justice system needs to work to protect children and youth who are victims of crime," said Joyce Bateman, M.P. for Winnipeg South Centre. "This Government is proud to fund programs that will strengthen Canadian families and protect our children.
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Today's announcement includes various projects funded by the Victims Fund at Justice Canada:
- $125,000 to expand Cybertip.ca, a national tip-line for reporting peer- and self-exploitation of children. This project will be the first of its kind in Canada.
- $75,000 to expand Missingkids.ca to First Nations and Aboriginal communities.
- $51,000 to help small organizations respond to child victims of sexual abuse.
The $251,000 in federal funding over two years comes from the $26 million for the renewed Federal Victims Strategy that was announced in Budget 2011. In 2007, the Government initially announced the Federal Victims Strategy and committed $52 million over four years to respond to the needs of victims of crime.
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Ref.:
Julie Di Mambro
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Justice
613-992-4621
Media Relations
Department of Justice
613-957-4207
