Gain insights from the 2022 National Operational Survey of CACs/CYACs and understand how these centers assist child and youth victims of crime in Canada. Explore the methodology, findings, and operational details revealed in the survey responses.
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Background Since 2010, Justice Canada has provided policy and program support through the Federal Victims Strategy to support the creation and enhancement of CACs and CYACs to assist child and youth victims of crime. 2014 National Operational Survey of CACs (link) At the time, 23 CACs were established or in development Goal: To collect data from CACs/CYACs in Canada to have a national picture/understanding of how they work, their clientele, and other key aspects about their operations. 2
Methodology Survey development New and modified questions Reviewed by the Network s research subcommittee Piloted in 4 different sites Data collection October 11 November 8, 2022: Sent out via the Network November 30 December 23, 2022: Targeted emails to centres Response rate: 58% (29/51 centres); results from the survey do not accurately portray the national picture 3
of CACs/CYACs that responded to the survey are open. 2, 7% 1, 3% Open In development Feasibility study Other 4, 14% 29 centres responded 22 centres opened between 2002-2022 (68% opened in the last ten years) 22, 76% 4
Most centres operate under another host non-profit and offer a site-approach model. Almost all centres (22/23) use April 1-March 31 as their fiscal year Only 1 centre reported following the calendar year (Jan-Dec) Half (14/28) operate under another host or umbrella non-profit or charity Approx. two-thirds (15/23) have their own space or unit within a larger building, 3 have their own free-standing building and 5 report another type of location Almost all centres (22/23) offer a site-approach model, 4 offer a mobile approach and 2 offer a virtual approach (models are not mutually exclusive) The majority (16/23) serve urban and rural areas, with 3 reporting only serving urban areas, 2 serving only rural areas, and 2 serving only Northern areas 5
In the last fiscal year, CACs/CYACs served over 10,000 children and youth. Number of clients served (n=20) 66, 1% 2836, 28% 7205, 71% 7 Boys Girls Non-binary, two-spirit and gender diverse children
In the last year, most centres served Indigenous, 2SLBTQ+ and racialized clients as well as clients with disabilities. Clientele groups served in the last fiscal year (n=23) 25 22 20 20 20 19 15 14 10 5 1 1 0 2SLGBTQ+ clients Clients who are racialized Clients with disabilities First Nations, Inuit or M tis clients Clients who are recent immigrants or refugees Other Don t know 8
Children and youth served have experienced a wide range of victimization. Out of the child/youth victims served in the last fiscal year, 22 centres report that: 2,745 experienced physical abuse; 6,970 experienced sexual abuse; 27 experienced emotional harm; 62 experienced neglect; 223 were exposed to family violence; 250 experienced online child sexual exploitation; and 54 experienced human trafficking. 9
Criminal investigations most common in sexual and physical assault cases. In the last fiscal year, 14 centres reported that there were criminal investigations in: 1,296 physical assault cases 2,088 sexual assault cases 14 neglect cases 107 online child sexual exploitation cases 27 human trafficking cases In the last fiscal year, 6,532 criminally investigated cases began (n=18) 798 criminally investigated cases were still ongoing (n=7) 2,532 criminally investigated cases concluded (n=8) All 28 centres reported addressing cases that involve both intra-familial and non- familial (both known and unknown to the victim) abuse. 10
MDTs commonly include representatives of child protection, law enforcement, CAC/CYAC, victim services and mental health professionals. Child protection workers (n=27), law enforcement/police services (n=27), CAC/CYAC staff (n=26), victim services workers (n=24) and mental health professionals (n=24) are most commonly represented on MDTs. Medical professionals (n=8) and education system professionals (n=8) are less likely to be part of the MDT. Aside from CAC/CYAC staff & advocates (n=13), victim services workers (n=12), mental health professionals (n=10), and law enforcement/police services (n=10) are most likely to be co-located with the centre. 11
Most centres conduct case reviews and have an information-sharing protocol in place. 21 out of 29 centres report having an information-sharing protocol or MOUs in place with their MDT partners Of the 8 who did not report this, 4 were not yet open Most (16/23) centres generally conduct case reviews Of the centres that conduct case reviews, 6 conduct them as needed 4 conduct them monthly 2 conduct them bi-weekly 1 conducts them daily 3 identified another type of frequency 12
Almost all centres have a case management system in place or in development. The majority (20/29) have a case management or case tracking system in place: 7 report that the case tracking system is in development; 2 report not having a system in place. CAC/CYAC staff members are most commonly responsible for case tracking (17/20) 13
Most centres offer forensic interviews on-site and off-site. 23 out of 29 centres report offering forensic interviews In the last fiscal year, 6,526 forensic interviews were conducted on-site (n=22) 295 forensic interviews were conducted off-site (n=6) The majority of centres (19/22) report that specialized police officers generally conduct the forensic interviews at their centre. Location of forensic interviews (N=23) 7 1 15 On-site Off-site On-site and off-site 14
Victim and family support/advocacy and forensic medical examination are services commonly offered by CACs/CYACs. Location of other services Victim and family support and advocacy 8 14 Trauma assessment 6 1 6 Court accompaniment 1 6 7 Court preparation 4 3 7 Forensic medical examination 4 11 4 0 5 10 15 20 25 15 On-site Off-site On-site and off-site
Most centres offer mental health services only on- site or on-site and off-site. Location of mental health services (n=22) 22 centres report offering mental health services (e.g., counselling, crisis intervention) 1,518 clients received mental health services by CAC/CYAC staff of MDT partners in the last fiscal year (n=14) 7 10 5 On-site Off-site On-site and off-site 16
CACs/CYACs provide assistance with the preparation of Victim Impact Statements and seeking compensation. Location of assistance services In the last fiscal year, 136 clients were assisted in preparing Victim Impact Statements (n=6) 11 clients were assisted in seeking compensation or restitution (n=5) Assistance in the preparation of Victim Impact Statements 5 4 7 Assistance in seeking compensation or restitution 5 3 5 0 5 10 15 20 On-site Off-site On-site and off-site 17
Over a third of centres have a support dog. 11 centres report having support dogs The most common type of support dog used by CACs/CYACs are facility dogs (n=10). Support dogs are most commonly offered to clients at: the CAC/CYAC generally (n=11), client meetings with MDT partners (n=11), and during forensic interviews (n=10). 18
Most centres provide some type of education and awareness activities. Types of educational services provided (n=25) 25 21 19 20 14 15 13 10 7 7 5 0 19 3 centres do not provide any educational services.
Child-friendly facilities and virtual testimony offered by many CACs/CYACs. Half of centres (12/23) report child-friendly facilities in the courthouse(s) in their region, with 7 reporting that these facilities are not offered and 4 not knowing whether these facilities are offered. 9 out of 23 centres report having the ability to offer remote testimony, and 11 centres report that they are currently developing or considering offering remote testimony. The remaining 3 centres shared that they do not offer remote testimony. 20
CAC/CYAC staff attended many different types of training in the past year. Types of training attended by CAC/CYAC staff in the last fiscal year (n=28) Centres shared that they could benefit from additional training on: Diversity and inclusion; Mental health support; and Suicide risk and intervention. 30 24 23 25 22 22 22 20 20 13 15 10 7 5 0 21
Most centres have conducted or participated in research and evaluation. The majority (19/29) report conducting research 4 conduct research and evaluation independently 15 conduct research and evaluation collaboratively 11 centres report participating in research conducted by other organizations, while 14 do not (n=29) 18 out of 29 centres are currently undergoing or have undergone an evaluation 22
Most centres receive funding from federal and/or PT governments. Over half (15/28) report that their annual budget was under $250,000 in the last fiscal year The most common sources of CAC/CYAC funding are: Federal grants/funding (25/29) PT grants/funding (22/29) Private sector/donors (21/29) Fundraising events (16/29) Foundations (15/29) When asked about in which area CACs/CYACs could use additional funding, the most common response was for more staff funding. 23
CAC/CYAC biggest successes and challenges When asked about their biggest successes, CACs/CYACs most commonly shared being proud of: The number of clients served; The centre being operational or being almost operational; and Their partnerships, including with MDT partners. The following are some of the biggest challenges CACs/CYACs report having: Difficulty in obtaining funding that is sustainable; Challenges with partner collaboration; Difficulty creating awareness of the CAC/CYAC, including with partner organizations. 24
Questions? For more information, please contact Bianca Stumpf at Bianca.Stumpf@justice.gc.ca.
