July 9, 2015 – Maple Ridge, BC – Department of Justice.
Today, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Peter MacKay, accompanied by Randy Kamp, MP for Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge-Mission, announced nearly $310,000 in funding to Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Community Services to expand victim services provided by Alisa's Wish Child and Youth Advocacy Centre in Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows, British Columbia.
Child advocacy centres (CACs) and child and youth advocacy centres (CYACs) help child and youth victims and their families to navigate the criminal justice system. They provide a safe child- and youth-friendly environment where a coordinated team of professionals works to meet the specific needs of each person. The work of a multidisciplinary team in a CYAC or a CAC can greatly reduce the emotional and mental harm to child and youth victims involved in the criminal justice system.
In Economic Action Plan 2015, the Government committed to provide additional funding to CACs and CYACs. Starting in 2016-17, the Government will provide $5.25 million over four years and $2.1 million on an annual basis thereafter, to make the support and services provided by CACs and CYACs more accessible in communities across the country.
"Alisa's Wish Child and Youth Advocacy Centre is a compelling community initiative that integrates services of the RCMP, Ministry of Children and Family Development, counselling agencies, victim services and support for young victims and their non-offending family members. The Centre provides a child-centered environment where victims receive sensitive and efficient service to prevent re-traumatization as well as enhancing the quality of evidence collected for investigation and prosecution. Critical to the project's success, government funding allowed the multidisciplinary committee to secure a facility, hire a specialized child advocate, further integrate practices, and promote the Centre within the community to children, youth, families and donors."
Vicki Kipps
Executive Director, Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Community Services
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