1981 Petition
Media reports of two child sexual assault cases stimulated concerned citizens in K-W and London to gather 40,000 signatures on a petition to the Minister of Justice, seeking tougher sentencing. View
the petition.
1981 Agency Established
Concerned about lack of community services and prevention programs, insensitivity of courts to victims and their families, and public ignorance of the facts of sexual abuse, a group of K-W community volunteers, led by Judy Harding, formed Citizens Concerned with Crime against Children (4Cs).
1981 Research
Volunteers educated themselves about child sexual abuse by researching materials, interviewing professionals, and meeting with survivors of child sexual abuse. It was concluded that prevention depends on community awareness and support, which in turn requires public education.
1982 Education and Counselling Assistance Programs Created
4Cs embarked on a public education program, developing a colouring book entitled ‘Talking and Drawing About it’ for use by parents; and a ‘Talk About It’ video and guide for use by teachers. A service was established to ensure that sexual assault victims were aware of counselling services.
1983 Incorporated as a Registered Charity
1980s Victims’ Rights Legislation
Progress was made in treatment of children as victims and witnesses before the criminal courts. Child witnesses were allowed to testify outside the courtroom or behind screens; the use of videotaped evidence of children was allowed; the court was required to consider a victim impact statement at the time of sentencing an offender; victim surcharges (to be used for victim assistance) became part of Canada’s sentencing law.
1991 Child Witness Program Established
At the urging of Community Justice Initiatives, 4C’s started a program to provide court preparation for children and youth 18 years of age and younger who were victims of sexual assault and were not receiving such services from Family and Children’s Services. Ten children were assisted in the first year of the program.
1992 Became Member Agency of K-W United Way
1992 Kitchener Facility Opened
The ‘4Cs House’ was established at 100 Lancaster Street East, across from the courthouse, with support from the Sertoma Foundation. The agency and its video facility was made available to Waterloo Regional Police 24/7 to provide a child friendly interview environment.
1992 First paid staff member
1993 First Executive Director
4Cs founder Judy Harding assumed the ED role.
1993 Victims’ Rights Legislation
Children now allowed to testify with support persons with them on the stand; the accused is prohibited from cross-examining the victim.
1994 Cambridge Facility Opened
The ‘Optimist Room’ was established at 120 Main Street, provided by the West Cambridge Optimist Club.
1999 4Cs Services Expanded
The agency mandate was broadened to include child witnesses as well as victims, 16 years and younger, involving any form of crime, not just victims of sexual assault. Family and Children’s Services integrated their child witness services into the 4Cs program. A child-friendly anteroom was established at the courthouse.
2000 Working Relationships
Staff began providing training sessions each year for officers of the Waterloo Regional Police Service. 4Cs staff joined the Domestic Assault Review Team.
2000 Dramatic Increase in Children Served
The number of children referred to the agency increased from 159 in 1999 to 390 in 2000. Total number of children assisted through the Child Witness Program since its inception surpassed 1,000.
2002 Name Changed to Child Witness Centre
A Role Review led to a new mission statement that confirmed the agency’s focus exclusively on the Child Witness Program, eliminating Education and Counselling Assistance Programs and the Community Resource Library. The agency was renamed the Child Witness Centre of Waterloo Region to better describe the work of the agency and the area served. A website was created. Long range fundraising and communication plans were developed.
2003 Became Member Agency of Cambridge United Way
The agency was granted member agency status in Cambridge & North Dumfries United Way, reflecting the fact that approximately 25% of children served are from that area.
2003 More than 2,000 Child Victims and Witnesses Assisted Since 1991
Total number of children assisted through the Child Witness Program since its inception surpassed 2,000.
2006 Expansion of Services to Wellington County; Guelph Facility Opened