Chatham-Kent police have received a nearly $100,000 provincial grant to help increase victim supports.
The Ontario government is spending more than $4 million provincewide to help support victims and survivors of intimate partner and domestic violence, human trafficking and child exploitation through its Victim Support Grant program.
Chatham-Kent police will work with Linck and the Children’s Aid Society to improve the ability to obtain accurate and reliable information from victims and witnesses.
A police release said some of the will go to training initiatives, public awareness and education, technological advancements and facility improvements, including:
- Intensive child forensic interview training for officers in partnership with Linck child and youth workers to create a consistent, reliable approach to interviewing child victims.
- Improving interview spaces using evidence-based and trauma-informed guidelines.
- Enhancing technology to assist in detection, extraction, and categorization of data in internet child exploitation investigations.
- Mounting educational and public awareness campaigns related to human trafficking and child exploitation.
Chatham-Kent police are “committed to prioritizing the safety and well-being of victims, offering immediate support and ensuring their physical security,” the service said. “This commitment extends to ensuring victims’ voices are heard, advocating for their rights, and pursuing justice on their behalf.
The Victim Support Grant is part of Ontario’s Guns, Gangs and Violence Reduction Strategy.
Chatham-Kent—Leamington MPP Trevor Jones said in a release that funding evidence-based interviewing techniques is investing in justice.
“Providing cross-training for interviewers for Chatham-Kent police. . . in collaboration with Linck and (the) Children’s Aid Society, . . . will create a consistent approach for victims and witnesses to feel more comfortable in sharing their experience,” he said.
Solicitor General Michael Kerzner called support for victims and survivors a “crucial first step to recovery,” adding the grant will help ensure they aren’t left behind.