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1. How are you
funded?
The Child Witness Centre receives financial support each year from the United Way of Kitchener-Waterloo & Area, the United Way of Cambridge & North Dumfries, individuals, service clubs, community groups, corporations, churches, employee groups, special events. We receive a small grant each year from the City of Cambridge and the Region of Waterloo.
After efforts spanning many years, we were successful in 2006 in obtaining substantial funding from the Victims' Justice Fund, which is administered by the Victim Services Secretariat of the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General. In conjunction with this funding, we agreed to extend our services to Wellington County.
2. Who do you
service?
We provide support and court preparation services to any child or youth, aged 17 and younger, who lives in Waterloo Region, Wellington County or Brant County, or is testifying in this region.
3. How can I
prevent abuse in the lives of my children?
For information about
how to prevent abuse in the lives of your own children, please see our
links section for excellent preventative readings. Please also see our
suggested reading materials in the Education & Resources section.
4. Do you provide
counselling?
We do not provide
counselling here at the agency. We do provide counselling referrals to
agencies in the community that specialize in child abuse and child sexual
abuse.
5.
What should I do if a child discloses abuse to me?
There are a number
of things to remember if a child tells you that he/she
has been abused.
Control your
emotions:
- Try to be calm and relaxed
- Do not look shocked,
disgusted, or say mean things about the accused
abuser
Offer Comfort. Support children and youth by letting them know
that:
- They were brave
to tell and you are glad that they told you
- You are sorry
this happened to them
- They are not
alone
- This happens
to other children, too
- You will do everything
you can to help
- You are there
to love and support them
Do not:
- Call them a liar
- Ask "How
can you say those things about...?"
- Ask "How
could you let him/her do those things to you?"
- Talk about how
the child is tarnished or ruined
- Ask why they did
not tell you earlier
- Promise not to
tell anyone
According to Ontario's
Child & Family Services Act (CFSA), members of the public and professionals
who work with children have an obligation to report promptly to a children's
aid society if they suspect that a child is or may be in need of protection.
You do not need to be sure that a child is or is not in need of protection
to make a report to a children's aid society.
If you suspect child
abuse, contact your local children's aid or regional police service.
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