Local OPP leaders are developing an application for provincial funding for a pilot project to bring child advocacy services to each community in Simcoe and Muskoka.
Collingwood and The Blue Mountains OPP detachment commander Insp. Mary Shannon told both community police services boards on Wednesday she and an area crime sergeant were creating a funding application for a mobile victim services unit geared to children.
The application would be for a three-year grant (total of $300,000) from the province’s proceeds of crime grant program. The application will come from The Blue Mountains Police Services Board, which would be responsible for managing the funds for the project.
Currently, there are two child advocacy centres — one in Orillia and one in Barrie — serving Simcoe County and Muskoka. In a case where a child is a victim of a crime, the child can be taken to the advocacy centre to provide their testimony and speak with authorities from OPP and the Children’s Aid Society.
“When you look at remote, outlying areas in Simcoe where we police, it’s not acceptable to ask parents to drive a child in excess of an hour for victim support,” said Shannon. “A mobile unit brings specialist services to us.”
She said not every detail is worked out for the operation of a mobile unit, but, essentially, police would call for the unit and they would respond with video equipment, a service dog, and specialists in child advocacy and support. They could set up at a neutral location like a town hall or a library.
“This grant, if we’re successful, I liken it to a pilot project, and I see a great opportunity for collaboration,” said Shannon. “It’s enhanced support for victims in our two communities and in Simcoe County … We’re excited and we’re hopeful, and as soon as we hear, we’ll certainly share with our partners.”
She said this would be the first mobile unit of its kind in Ontario.
The application is due this month, and funding announcements are expected next year.
