Op-Ed: Changes needed to protect young sexual abuse victims

“If our justice systems are meant to protect the most vulnerable, why are children forced to navigate processes that retraumatize them?”

This question sits at the heart of an opinion piece recently published by the Calgary Herald. The op-ed, which was co-written by the Kindex Research and Knowledge Centre for CYACs and Child and Youth Advocacy Centres of Canada (CYACC), underscores a critical truth: justice systems designed for adults too often fail children. Trauma-informed, child-centred approaches must be the standard—so young survivors are supported, not harmed, by the systems meant to protect them.

The article was written in part as a response to the Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime’s recently released report, Rethinking Justice for Survivors of Sexual Violence, which among many of its important recommendations, called for the expansion of CYACs throughout Canada.

Calgary Herald Op-Ed: https://calgaryherald.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-changes-needed-to-protect-young-sexual-abuse-victims

Rethinking Justice for Survivors of Sexual Violence report: https://www.canada.ca/en/office-federal-ombudsperson-victims-crime/sissa-essas.html