Child Victim Witness Program
Learn how child victims and witnesses can access support and services that help them understand and participate in the criminal court process.
Overview
Children who are victims or witnesses of a crime may need to go to court. This can be a difficult experience for them. They may have questions about the criminal court process and what will be expected of them.
The Child Victim Witness Program is a court-based program that provides help, support and information to children under the age of 18, so they can understand and participate in the criminal court process.
Services and supports
The Child Victim Witness Program can provide:
- information about the court process to eligible children and youth
- assistance for children and youth preparing to testify in court
- accompaniment for children and youth going to court
- assessment of any special needs during the court process
- referrals to other services
- support and guidance for caregivers
Free and voluntary
The services start once police have laid charges and continue until the court case is over. Services are free and participation with the program is voluntary.
Who can use this service
Services are provided to children and youth under the age of 18 who are victims and/or witnesses of crime and who may be called to testify in criminal court.
How to access services
The Child Victim Witness Program is available in 15 communities across the province:
- Sudbury — Sudbury Counselling Centre
- Thunder Bay — Thunder Bay Counselling Centre
- Simcoe-Muskoka Region — Child & Youth Advocacy Centre Simcoe Muskoka
- Nipissing District Region — Victim Services of Nipissing District
- Toronto — BOOST Child & Youth Advocacy Centre
- Ottawa — Counselling and Family Service Ottawa
- Lanark County — Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth
- Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry and Akwesasne — Koala Place, Child and Youth Advocacy Centre
- Peterborough and Tri Counties — BOOST Child & Youth Advocacy Centre
- Durham Region — Victim Services Durham
- Peel Region — EveryMind Mental Health Services
- Waterloo Region, Guelph and Wellington County — Child Witness Centre of Waterloo Region
- Middlesex County (including London) — London Family Court Clinic Inc.
- Windsor-Essex Region — New Beginnings (Essex County)
- Niagara Region — Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre Niagara
In communities where the Child Victim Witness Program is not available, our Victim/Witness Assistance Program provides services and supports to children and youth under the age of 18 and their caregivers.
Contact us
For more information, contact the Victim Support Line: