Province Expanding Child Victim Witness Program to Niagara
Photo Caption: Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West, is joined at the Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre Niagara in St. Catharines by Monica Ciriello, Parliamentary Assistant to the Attorney General; Jim Bradley, Chair of the Regional Municipality of Niagara; Sal Sorrento, Regional Councillor; Bill Phillips, Deputy Mayor of the City of St. Catharines; Bill Fordy, Chief of Police, Niagara Regional Police Service; Brian Bratt, Executive Director of the Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre Niagara, along with the team of frontline advocates and support staff at the Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre.
NEWS
June 27, 2025
ST. CATHARINES – The Ontario government is investing $600,000 over three years to help protect child victims and witnesses of crime in Niagara. This funding is part of the government's $4.2 million investment to expand the Child Victim Witness Program to more communities across the province.
The Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre Niagara will deliver the Child Victim Witness Program to help empower young victims and witnesses, under the age of eighteen years, by reducing the potential trauma associated with testifying in court.
"As an advocate for programs that support young victims and witnesses of crime, I applaud the mission of the Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre in providing a safe place to help, heal and end childhood trauma for children and youth across Niagara," said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.
"This funding for local victims of crime is another step our government is taking to build safer communities and protect vulnerable children and youth."
"We are grateful to the Ministry of the Attorney General for recognizing the need for specialized support for children navigating the justice system," said Brian Bratt, Executive Director of the Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre Niagara.
"This funding enables us to stand beside children and youth during some of the most difficult moments in their lives. Through the Child Victim Witness Program, we can offer trauma-informed guidance, restore a sense of safety, and ensure that every child who needs help, gets help - in the courtroom and beyond."
MPP Oosterhoff was joined by Monica Ciriello, Parliamentary Assistant to the Attorney General, along with municipal leaders and community safety partners at the Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre in St. Catharines to share details of the new funding program for Niagara.
"When a child is brave enough to speak out, we have a duty to respond - with protection, support and compassion," said MPP Ciriello.
"This $600,000 investment over three years will help the Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre enhance its services across Niagara - informing, preparing and supporting child victims and witnesses of crime as they navigate the court process. It is all about lifting up the voices of children and youth within our justice system."
Founded in 2008, the Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre provides a safe place for children and youth who have experienced physical and sexual abuse, have become the targets of Internet luring or were the unwilling witnesses of violence to receive support and heal in a safe place.
The Child Victim Witness Program provides critical services, including:
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.
"The province's expansion of the Child Victim Witness Program into Niagara is very welcome news," said Jim Bradley, Chair of the Regional Municipality of Niagara.
"I am especially grateful that these new resources will be entrusted to the Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre as they provide care and support to children and youth who are trying to navigate the justice system under very difficulty circumstances."
"This is an incredibly important investment in the safety and well-being of children and youth here in Niagara," said Mat Siscoe, Mayor of the City of St. Catharines.
"By expanding the Child Victim Witness Program through the Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre, we are ensuring young victims and witnesses have the support they need during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. These are compassionate, community-based services that make a real difference. I want to thank the province for recognizing that need and stepping up for Niagara."
"Reliving traumatic experiences in a courtroom can be incredibly difficult - especially for children and youth," said Hon Doug Downey, Attorney General.
"That is 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 fifteen communities across the province.
Quick Facts:
- The Victim/Witness Assistance Program provides services and supports to victims and witnesses of crime. It also supports children and youth and their guardians in regions where the Child Victim Witness Program is not available.
- Ontario is committed to protecting communities and victims of crime and is taking action through the Protect Ontario Through Safer Streets and Stronger Communities Act and related measures.
Additional Resources:
- Protect Ontario Through Safer Streets and Stronger Communities Act
- Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre Niagara