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Child & Youth Advocacy Program
The Durham CYAC is a program under the Victim Services of Durham Region service umbrella. Under the VSDR leadership, the CYAC was designed using the National CYAC Guidelines and with feedback from community partners.
The Durham CYAC provides a child-friendly environment where children and youth can come and share experiences of child abuse with multidisciplinary team (MDT) which may include law enforcement, child protection and well-being, medical support, mental health, and victim support services.
Coming to the CYAC is a voluntary process to receive coordinated response during a child abuse investigation. The CYAC receives referrals from law enforcement and/or child protection and child well-being organizations.
Once the CYAC receives the referral an appointment will be scheduled at the CYAC. The CYAC is located in the Durham Community Health Centre. When you arrive at the Centre, you can check in at the front desk. They will call the Child Advocate who will come out and meet you.
The Child Advocate is a staff person of Victim Services of Durham Region. The role of the child advocate is to listen and to be the voice for children and youth throughout the entire process. The Child Advocate will be the first person that you will meet when you come to the centre. The Child Advocate will give you a tour of the space and rooms, they will talk to you about what will happen, and introduce you to the team.
Following the investigation, the Child Advocate, will continue to be there for you. They will help you to connect to services, such as counselling, therapy, medical, and any other supports that you may need. The Child Advocate is there for you, until you no longer need their support.
Forensic Interview
Besides the child advocate, one of the first team members you will meet at the CYAC will be law enforcement and/or child protection/well-being. These team members will meet with you to learn more about your experience while you are in a safe, child friendly environment.
Should your experience lead to charges and involvement with court, the CYAC has another staff person who will be there to help you.
The Child Victim Witness Worker, supports children and youth who may need to testify in criminal court proceedings. Support looks like court preparation along with communication about schedules and next steps.
Specialized Medical and Therapy Services
In partnership with community providers, the child advocate in collaboration with community providers will make referrals for timely access to medical assessment, care, and, specialized therapy interventions for children, youth, and families focused on helping and healing from the abuse.
Parent/Caregiver Support
The Child Advocate will offer support to the child and youth’s supportive parents/caregivers along the way. The Child Advocate will help to answer questions as they can. They will offer ideas on how to best support your child throughout the process. Further support can be found:
COPE - online resource: COPE information
