A new centre will soon be opening its doors in London, Ontario. Beacon House Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC) will be a multidisciplinary setting designed to create a safe space where children and youth who have been abused only need to share their story once. Leading the launch is the London Family Court Clinic (LFCC).
In the current system, children and youth may be required to speak to many different professionals such as doctors, child protection workers, counsellors, and police officers at varying locations after experiencing a traumatic event.
“Having these professionals in one location reduces the risk of further trauma from repeatedly recounting the event,” explains Tuhin Jajal, LFCC Executive Director.
The Beacon House CYAC is slated to be a hub for community collaboration in a unique partnership between LFCC and London Police Service, St. Joseph’s Health Care London, and the Children’s Aid Society of London-Middlesex.
“Building Beacon House in partnership with London Police Service, Children’s Aid Society London-Middlesex and St. Joseph’s Health Care London allows us to create a singular access point and location for children and their families, and allows LFCC to assist in system and clinical navigation and integration in a timely and impactful manner,” says Jajal. “Evidence has demonstrated that early intervention has longstanding positive outcomes for victims and survivors of abuse.”
https://beaconhouselondon.ca/2022/10/03/children-should-only-have-to-tell-their-story-once-new-centre-will-be-a-safe-space-and-support-child-and-youth-abuse-victims/