The mission of the Child Witness Centre is to provide support, education and advocacy for children and youth who are, or may become, victims or witnesses of abuse or crime.

Our support begins at the start of an abuse investigation through the newly-opened Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC). Child and Youth Advocacy Centres are a collaborative, best practice model for investigating allegations of child abuse and ensuring that young victims and their families are supported and connected to services that help them begin to heal.

The Child Witness Centre is the lead agency at the CYAC in this collaborative that includes Family and Children’s Services of the Waterloo Region and Waterloo Regional Police with our role to provide oversight of the CYAC and delivery of the Child and Youth Advocate Program. Investigations take place in this child and youth-friendly space with Advocates providing trauma-informed, wraparound support for children, youth and their families ensuring they are heard and connected to the resources needed to help them heal, regardless of whether charges are laid.

The CYAC opened in May 2016 and in its first 12 months professionals from Family and Children’s Services of the Waterloo Region and Waterloo Regional Police were involved with 518 investigations involving 717 young people and their families, 348 of whom were supported by the Advocates.

When charges are laid, there is a seamless transition of support for children, youth and their families, moving from a Child and Youth Advocate to a professional in the Child Witness Program. Caring Child Witness Program professionals provide advocacy and support for children and youth who are victims or witnesses of abuse or crime, and their families, as they journey through the court process. Like the Child and Youth Advocate Program, support through the Child Witness Program is uniquely-tailored to meet the needs of the child or youth and family and can include:
• helping young people develop coping techniques.
• assessment and advocacy for testimonial aids.
• court preparation and accompaniment.
• helping parents and caregivers be effective in supporting their child.
• connecting them to resources in the community.