February 12, 2015 – Calgary, Alberta – Department of Justice Canada
Today, Justice Minister Peter MacKay announced funding of $50,000 for the Canadian Child Abuse Association (CCAA) to develop a user-friendly virtual classroom for professionals working with young victims of crime. Minister MacKay was joined at the announcement by Devinder Shory, M.P. for Calgary Northeast.
The funding will be used to build on the current online tools offered by the CCAA to create an easy-to-navigate online classroom that supports both independent and instructor-led training. The classroom will be used to deliver training and certificate programs to police officers, child protection workers, community professionals, and victim service workers who respond to cases of child abuse. It will give responders the opportunity to enhance their skills and abilities in an accessible and affordable way while promoting professionalism in the investigation of child abuse.
"Our Government is committed to protecting those most vulnerable, our children. Child abuse is a crime that causes unimaginable devastation to the lives of children, families and communities. Those who respond to cases of child abuse, including police investigators and victim services providers, have an incredibly difficult job in helping young victims overcome both physical and emotional trauma. By providing this funding to help the Canadian Child Abuse Association improve the training they offer to professionals, we are helping to ensure that front-line workers are equipped with the knowledge and resources they need to respond more effectively to young victims of crime and help them heal."
Peter MacKay
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
"As a National Network of Excellence, the Canadian Child Abuse Association focuses on protecting children and supporting professionals, communities, victims and witnesses involved in the investigation of child abuse. With this funding, the Canadian Child Abuse Association will be able to develop a cutting-edge and user-friendly virtual classroom that will remove barriers and enable people all over Canada to access the newest research, resources and training."
Lynn Barry
Founder and Executive Director, the Canadian Child Abuse Association
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