News Release

For Immediate Release
December 1, 2008

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McGuinty Government Supports Child Victims and Witnesses of Crime

NEWS

The Ontario Child Victim/Witness Program has opened a new office in Peterborough to help children who are victims of, or witnesses to, crime. The program offers a variety of services, including:

• Group and one-on-one court preparation programs
• Updating the child and parent or guardian on the progress of a case
• Support, including accompanying children into the courtroom
• Help in preparing Victim Impact Statements
• Help in understanding the court process and the verdict.

In Peterborough, the program is being delivered by Boost Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention. This organization has worked for 25 years to eliminate child abuse and violence and to reduce the trauma for children and youth who have been abused or experienced violence.

Boost is receiving $165,000 annually to serve offices in Peterborough and Barrie.

QUOTES

"We're improving justice for Ontarians by providing children who are victims and witnesses of crime with direct help that is specifically tailored to meet their needs," said Attorney General Chris Bentley. "The program helps many children, including those who have been abused or exposed to domestic violence. As a government, we have zero tolerance for crimes against children and are committed to lending a compassionate hand to hold to support children through the criminal justice system."

"We are pleased that our government has committed funding for this program in our city," said Peterborough MPP Jeff Leal. "We want to help kids here in Peterborough recover from trauma more quickly so they can move on to better futures."

"The Child/Victim Witness Program will help children in this region in many ways," said Northumberland-Quinte West MPP Lou Rinaldi. "It will reduce the trauma for children between the ages of four and 17 who have been abused or have experienced or witnessed violence."

"Boost is very pleased to have been selected to provide this critical program for children and their families who are going through the criminal justice system," said Karyn Kennedy, Executive Director of Boost. "The government's committed ongoing funding will help us reach out to even more than the 1,000 young people we already help each year."

QUICK FACTS

• Ontario is investing more than $1.62 million in 2008/09 to fund eight child victim/witness centres across the province.
• The Victim/Witness Assistance Program is receiving $4 million in additional support this year, including $1.7 million to provide early victim contact services to survivors of domestic violence.
• Counselling is also available for young victims of online sexual predators through the Internet Child Exploitation Counselling Program.

LEARN MORE

Get the guide/activity book "What's My Job in Court" for children who have to go to court.

Find tools for young victims and witnesses who must go to court through the Boost websites: www.corysCourthouse.ca for younger children and www.CourtPrep.ca for older kids.

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