July 29, 2015 – Brampton, ON – Department of Justice.
Today, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Peter MacKay, accompanied by Minister of State (Sport) Bal Gosal, announced $220,000 in funding to support the opening of a child and youth advocacy centre (CYAC) in Peel Region, Ontario.
The funding is being provided to the Catholic Family Services of Peel-Dufferin, which will develop and implement a Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC) in Peel Region. The Centre will provide a seamless response to the specific needs of children and youth victims of physical abuse, sexual abuse, or maltreatment, and their families.
Child advocacy centres (CACs) and CYACs 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.
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