Victim Assistance Program
Victim Services
Victim Service workers have specialized expertise in supporting children and youth involved in the criminal justice system. Services are available for all child/youth victims and witnesses of violent crimes, abuse, and assault, including domestic violence and child protection cases. Children, youth, families, service providers, and Crown can provide referrals.
Support available:
- Accompaniment and family support at the time of police interviews at the Victoria Child and Youth Advocacy Centre or at a police station or other location
- Accompaniment to hospital medical examinations
- Support and information about the criminal justice process for children, youth, and non-offending family members
- Child and youth witness preparation
- Liaison with police and criminal justice personnel,
- Court support
- Court accompaniment and information throughout the criminal justice process
- Referrals to community resources and counselling.
Victim service also provides assistance with Victim Impact Statement, advocacy and assistance in accessing programs such as the Crime Victim Assistance and Victim Notification programs, information about rights under the Victims of Crime Act.
Victoria Child and Youth Advocacy Centre
The Victoria Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (Victoria CYAC) is a collaborative initiative with community partners (including MCFD, RCMP, and municipal police) and the Victoria Child Abuse Prevention and Counselling Centre that provides a separate location and safe, child-friendly environment to conduct investigative interviews and connect child and youth victims and their families with Victim Service support as soon as possible.
The Victoria CYAC houses two forensic interview rooms, specifically designed for police and child protection interviews. The Victoria CYAC focuses on providing a child-friendly and trauma-informed environment and support team for all child/youth victims and witnesses of violent crimes, abuse, and assault, including domestic violence and child protection cases. All referrals for Victoria Child and Youth Advocacy Centre are facilitated by municipal police, RCMP, and MCFD.
Learn More
To learn more about the Victoria Child and Youth Advocacy Centre, click below!