national truth and reconciliation day
September 30th is Orange Shirt Day; a grassroots campaign founded by Phyllis (Jack) Webstad, which grew from her experiences and the experiences of other residential school survivors. The orange shirt that was taken away from Phyllis upon arrival at St. Joseph’s Mission residential school is now a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations. As an annual commemorative day, it honours the children who never returned home and the survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Orange Shirt Day is now a federally recognized National Truth and Reconciliation Day; a time to honour the resilience, dignity and strength of survivors and intergenerational survivors and remind us all that every child matters.
September 30th is also a day meant to encourage deeper reflection, learning and public dialogue on the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. In addition to wearing your orange shirt, you can participate by engaging in your own learning of Indigenous heritage and the impact of colonization. We have attached some links to resources below. The first link will take you to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, which is a great resource for information regarding the residential school system. Further links will take you to information regarding Orange Shirt Day and National Truth and Reconciliation Day.
As an organization that is dedicated to protecting the rights and freedoms of all children, our agency will be closed on October 2.
https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/national-day-truth-reconciliation.html
https://www.orangeshirtday.org/
Updated: September 13, 2023
thank you!
The Victoria Child Abuse Prevention and Counselling Centre is grateful for generous support from local community business, including our friends at Heirloom Linens, who recently made a donation to our agency. With the strong support of our community members, our agency can continue to provide integral support and services to Greater Victoria children and youth who have experienced abuse, along with their caregivers.
Posted: September 25, 2023
thank you!
Victoria Foundation-Vital Youth Program and Parkland Secondary Students
We are grateful to the Victoria Foundation-Vital Youth Program and Parkland Secondary Students who recommended the Victoria Child Abuse Prevention and Counselling Centre as their charity of choice and grant recipient for 2023. Thank you both for your amazing youth philanthropy!
Our Executive Director, Laura Vye, and our Manager of Practice, Shawna Herlinveaux, with the students who recommended our agency as their charity of choice.
Posted: June 20, 2023
Sexual exploitation awareness week
March 6-12 is Stop the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Youth Awareness Week.
Sexual exploitation of children and youth under the age of 18 years is any type of sexual activity with children and youth in exchange for money, drugs, food, shelter or any other considerations. This is the case whether or not children consider themselves to be consenting. Sexual exploitation of children and youth is never considered prostitution or consensual.
Activities include a fuchsia ribbon campaign and community-based events held throughout the province. To find out more information, please visit: preventing sexual exploitation of children and youth
Posted: March 6, 2023
february 22 is pink shirt day
This campaign was inspired by an act of kindness in Nova Scotia in 2007. Back then, a group of teenagers took a stand against bullying by wearing and handing out pink shirts at their high school in protest of the harassment a Grade 9 student experienced for their pink shirt.
Wear your pink shirt on February 22nd to show solidarity against bullying in all its forms.
For more information about the campaign, please visit: https://www.pinkshirtday.ca/
Executive director update
The last two and a half years have been challenging for the Victoria Child Abuse Prevention and Counselling Centre (VCAPCC), our communities, and our world, due to the global pandemic. We responded to numerous pandemic changes, recommendations, and regulations which required creative and flexible solutions. This included changing our service delivery to children and youth as well as our daily communications, which to a large extent, moved to an online platform. Despite the challenges, we have so much to be grateful for. We have continued to thrive and provide service excellence to the children we serve. Our doors are now open for in person counselling for children, youth, and families. We are ready to meet the community after our agency secured a permanent new location in downtown Victoria. The space required substantial renovations and a move during some fairly uncertain times, however, we are extremely pleased with the child and youth centred, inclusive environment. Our new location is able to accommodate our counselling services, Victim Assistance Program, and the Victoria Child and Youth Advocacy Centre. This allows for timely, effective services, and collaboration with our partner agencies.
We have also had some significant staff changes. In June 2022, I became the new Executive Director of VCAPCC. This was following the retirement of Executive Director, Sandra Bryce. I am honoured to serve with the dedicated staff and Board of Directors who advocate so strongly for children and youth in our community. The past Board of Director’s Chair, Melanie Duggan, has moved on and Graeme LeBlanc is now in the role. We said goodbye to long time employees Kelly Montgomery and Ken Seidman, who both retired. Renu Bawa is the new Victim Services Program Manager and CYAC Coordinator. We welcomed two new counsellors, and a new Victim Service Advocate. A big thank you to everyone for your service, leadership, and commitment to the agency!
As we begin to turn our focus towards pandemic recovery following this challenging time, it is critical that we continue to focus on the sustainability of the community services we provide to children, youth and families of the Greater Victoria area who are affected by child abuse. With the support of the community, through generous donations, grants, and funding, the Victoria Child Abuse Prevention and Counselling Centre will continue to be a resource and centre of excellence for all children in our community.
Posted: August 24, 2022
CHANGE IN VCAPCC LEADERSHIP
June 13th, 2022 marks a day of progress and celebration for the Victoria Child Abuse Prevention and Counselling Centre (VCAPCC).
Executive Director of 15 years, Sandra Bryce (middle right), celebrated her final day leading the agency. Throughout the years, Sandy has worked with heart and dedication and on behalf of the entire community we send her gratitude and recognition for the ongoing impact she has made through her service.
Sandy is passing the torch to our new Executive Director Laura Vye (middle left), retiree of the Saanich Police Department, and well-respected community member. Laura’s previous seat on the Board of Directors, combined with her successful career, make her the perfect fit to take this seat as VCAPCC’s leader. We are delighted to welcome Laura to this role.
Leadership is evolving across VCAPCC with Melanie Duggan (far right) also stepping down as the Board Chair. Melanie has been on the Board of Directors for five years and has been Chair of the Board since 2019. In her departure, Graeme LeBlanc (far left), Board member of four years and current Vice-Chair, has been appointed as the new Board Chair.
Change can be uncertain but with the strong foundation of the agency and its progress over the years, we are confident and excited to have Laura and Graeme lead VCAPCC forward into its next chapter!
Board of Directors
Victoria Child Abuse Prevention and Counselling Centre
About Us
Who We Are
Child abuse hurts the child, the family and society. It is not just an individual problem but a family and social problem. Society, including each community, has an obligation to respond to the problem of child abuse. The Victoria Child Abuse Prevention and Counselling Centre is a non-profit organization providing a response in our community. Click here to learn more about us.
Resources
We hold a wide variety of resources for both youth and caregivers including videos, apps, handbooks, websites and more. Click here to browse.
Our Donors
We are incredibly fortunate the have the support of several organizations and individuals in our community. Click here to see who has generously donated to our organization and see how you can help us enhance our ability to provide critically needed services to children and families affected by abuse.