July 8, 2015 – Vernon, BC – Department of Justice.
Today, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Peter MacKay, accompanied by Colin Mayes, M.P. for Okanagan-Shuswap, announced $350,000 in funding to support the opening of a child and youth advocacy centre (CYAC) in Vernon, British Columbia.
It is expected that the North Okanagan CYAC will open in 2015 and serve more than 250 children and youth per year. The objectives of the pilot project are to:
- acquire a site;
- hire and train staff;
- work with community partners;
- communicate to local stakeholders about the CYAC and its services; and
- plan for the long-term sustainability of the CYAC.
Child advocacy centres (CACs) and child and youth advocacy centres help child and youth victims and their families navigate the criminal justice system. They provide a safe child- and youth-friendly environment where a coordinated team of professionals work 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.
"The North Okanagan Child and Youth Advocacy Centre Partnership is grateful to be receiving $350,000 from the Department of Justice Canada. This funding will allow us to open a Child and Youth Advocacy Centre in Vernon, BC, to serve children and youth who have been physically abused or sexually assaulted or have witnessed a crime such as domestic violence. The Centre's multidisciplinary team of RCMP, child protection social workers, advocates, victim assistance workers, and counsellors will collaborate to ensure that these vulnerable victims receive the specialized support they require as they navigate the criminal justice system and heal from their trauma."
Brooke McLardy
Acting Executive Director, Vernon Women's Transition House Society
On behalf of the North Okanagan Child and Youth Advocacy Centre Partnership
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