Introduction
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced the Government of Canada’s intention to provide new funding for Child Advocacy Centres (CACs) to help support young victims of crime. The announcement of this new support, which is a commitment made in Economic Action Plan 2015, was made during a roundtable meeting with victims’ advocates, including representatives from the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre, a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to bringing together community resources to help children, youth and families who are impacted by abuse. He was joined by Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages and Member of Parliament for Saint Boniface, and Joy Smith, Member of Parliament for Kildonan-St. Paul.
Our Government is committed to standing up for victims of crime, especially Canada’s most vulnerable: our children. The funding for CACs being announced today will help support child and youth victims of sexual and physical abuse by making the services provided by CACs more accessible across Canada. This funding will also support the creation or enhancement of CACs in local communities across the country.
CACs are child-focused centres that coordinate the investigation, prosecution and treatment of child abuse while helping abused children, youth and their families. They seek to minimize system-induced trauma by providing a child-friendly setting for young victims and their families. Child and Youth Advocacy Centres (CYAC) offer the same services as a CAC, but to a broader age-range of victims. Both CACs and CYACs will receive funding under the CAC portion of the Victims Fund.
The roundtable discussion highlighted the numerous measures implemented by the Government of Canada to stand up for victims of crime, ensure the safety of our children, and was followed by a discussion on steps to increase awareness of the issue and for stopping child abuse. The Prime Minister also took the opportunity to highlight that the Victims Bill of Rights Act has now received Royal Assent. This landmark legislation will enshrine in law, once and for all, a bill of rights for victims of crime including the right to information, protection, participation and, where possible, a right to restitution. This important legislation will ensure that the rights of victims are placed at the very heart of our criminal justice system and that victims of crime receive the respect and compassion they deserve.
Quick Facts
- Since 2010, the Government of Canada has invested $10.3 million through the Victims Fund for new or enhanced Child Advocacy Centres (CACs) and Child and Youth Advocacy Centres (CYACs) across Canada.
- To date, this funding has supported young victims of crime in child advocacy centres in more than 20 communities across Canada, including Halifax, Toronto, Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon, Montréal and Vancouver.
- As well, the Government has put in place several pieces of legislation to help protect children. These include the Safe Streets and Communities Act, which received Royal Assent in March 2012; the introduction of the Tougher Penalties for Child Predators Act (Bill C-26), currently before Parliament; and the Protecting Canadians from Online Crime Act (Bill C-13), which came into force in March 2015.
Quotes
“Our Government knows that there is nothing more precious in this world than the life of a child. That is why we are committed to protecting and standing up for victims of crime, especially the most vulnerable members of society: our children. The support being announced today for Child Advocacy Centres will allow these important facilities to help more children, youth and families who have been traumatized by physical or sexual abuse and offer them the compassion and support they truly deserve.” – Prime Minister Stephen Harper
“The discussions held today are an important reminder that while our Government has taken significant steps to support victims of crime, we can do more to support victims and their families. Today’s announcement is another important step our Government is taking to help victims of violence and abuse recover, and ensure that their rights are placed at the heart of our justice system.” – Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Related Product
Associated Link
