Donna French on CACN
About Us
Our Vision
Helping victims become children again
Our Mission
Serve victimized children
Child Advocacy Centre Niagara is a “safe place to tell your secrets” for children up to age 16 traumatized by abuse. A friendly, caring team of professionals work together in a private, safe, child-friendly place. Children are able to provide information that aids in the investigation and prosecution of perpetrators. Follow-up counselling for children and non-offending family members is provided. Professional partners are Niagara Regional Police, Family and Children’s Services, Family Counselling Centre Niagara and medical professionals. Child Advocacy Centre Niagara is the first dedicated facility of its kind in Canada and serves all of Niagara’s 12 municipalities.
When child victims arrive at the Centre, they are accompanied by non-offending family members/caregivers. They are able to provide the details of their abuse in a private, comfortable environment that respects their vulnerability and offers caring support. Interviews happen only when the child is ready. These interviews are video taped and aid in the investigation.
Niagara's approach to child abuse investigation is recognized as a best practice model. Niagara is an early adopter, a leader in Canada, providing the first dedicated, stand alone facility where multidisciplinary services are coordinated in the best interest of the child.
Advocacy centres have a real impact that is measurable not just in terms of benefits to victims and their families, but also in dollars. Research by the National Children's Alliance in the USA confirms that an investigation into a child abuse case in a community with a CAC is 45% less expensive than in a community without a CAC.
