Province expanding Child Victim Witness Program to Lanark County
SUBMITTED
Carleton Place — John Jordan, MPP for Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston, announced today that the Ontario government is investing $600,000 over three years to help protect child victims and witnesses of crime in Lanark County. The funding is part of the government’s $4.2 million investment to expand the Child Victim Witness Program to more communities across the province.
“I am very happy that Lanark County was chosen as one of the regions to administer the Child Victim Witness Program,” said John Jordan, MPP for Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston. “This vital program will give young survivors a voice, support and the strength needed to testify in court.”
Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth will deliver the Child Victim Witness Program to help empower young victims and witnesses, under the age of 18 years, by reducing the potential trauma associated with testifying in court. The program’s services include:
- Providing information about the court process
- Preparing children and youth to testify in court
- Accompanying children and youth to court
- Assessing any special needs during the court process (i.e., testimonial aids)
- Referrals to other services
- Support and guidance for caregivers
“Reliving traumatic experiences in a courtroom can be incredibly difficult – especially for children and youth,” said Attorney General Doug Downey. “That’s why our government is expanding this vital program to more communities, so young victims and witnesses across Ontario have the support they need, closer to home.”
The Child Victim Witness Program is available in 15 communities across the province.
“Open Doors Mental Health (ODMH), formerly known as Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth, is extremely excited to be the community-based organization chosen by the Ministry of the Attorney General (MAG) to implement the Child Victim Witness Program in Lanark County. ODMH will be delivering this important program in partnership with Victim Services Lanark County and will have a close working relationship with MAG’s Victim Witness Assistance Program. The Child Victim Witness Program will be a great service for vulnerable children and youth victims/witness and their caregivers as they go through criminal court process. It will provide them with individualized supports and services in a manner that tries to lessen any trauma that may arise from having to testify in court.” – Kenneth Inbar, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Innovations, Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth
SOURCE: Ontario Protecting Young Victims and Witnesses of Crime