NUNAVUT
If Kylie Aglukark has her way, Nunavut will one day have an operational child and youth advocacy centre.
Aglukark, who is the executive director of the Arctic Children and Youth Foundation in Iqaluit, isn't certain what that will look like in a territory the size of Nunavut, but $225,000 in funding over the next two years from Canada's Department of Justice has helped get the project started.
"A typical centre provides for forensic investigation on children and youth who have been abused, sexually or physically," says Aglukark. "It's a one-stop shop. It allows a child or youth who has been abused to come under one roof, be able to do one interview rather than being sent to the RCMP, then over to Family Services, then to the health centre or hospital."
The idea is rather than shuttle the child or youth around to various services, "everyone comes to them," everyone being a multi-disciplinary team of RCMP, the Department of Family Services, Crown prosecutor and health professionals.
"The team works through the questions that are needed and there would be one interview done by one person. In a typical centre, the interview is video recorded."
The intention is to reduce the trauma for the child or youth who has come forward about abuse.
The need has already been proven through a needs assessment carried out by the organization.
"Our rates are 10 times higher (in child sex and physical abuse) than the rest of Canada. We already know through the auditor general's reports there is a need," said Aglukark.
She is referring to a report by then auditor general Sheila Fraser, released in March 2011, who stated, "These children represent the future of Nunavut and they have a right to expect protection from harm and neglect. Fixing the very serious problems we saw will require the immediate attention, leadership and commitment of government, working with parents and communities to find solutions."
In a follow-up report in March 2014, auditor general Michael Ferguson said there remains "serious gaps in providing services to safeguard children.
"I am concerned that children are not getting the level of protection and care set out in the Child and Family Services Act. Addressing these recommendations will require sustained effort and attention by the Department of Family Services, and collaboration with other departments," said Ferguson.
Aglukark believes the planned Umingmak Child and Youth Protection Centre could help address the gaps and shortfalls. It will not only provide child-centered, trauma-reducing services in one place, from investigation to prosecution, but also much needed treatment in the wake of abuse so that children and youth have a fair chance at productive and thriving lives.
"At the end of all of this there has to be active after-care and trying to make sure that you are able to guide them, help them with any mental help services they need. That's an important component to this, as well."
The feasibility study, which will get underway in the next month or two, will identify how best to make the centre a reality in Nunavut, taking into consideration Inuit culture and values.
"We know we're not going to be able to put a centre in every community," said Aglukark.
The foundation is not reinventing the wheel. Across Canada such centres exist for the protection of children and youth, and the foundation is actively involved with the national Child and Youth Advocacy Centres network for existing and emerging centres, which is set up to function as a forum to facilitate knowledge and information sharing and best practice to support centres across Canada, said Aglukark.
The first such centre in Canada, called the Zebra Child Protection Centre, opened in Edmonton in 2002.
On Feb. 6, the Alberta government announced $1.3 million in funding to the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre in Calgary and the Caribou Child and Youth Centre in Grande Prairie, as well as to the Zebra Centre.
Aglukark recognizes that getting buy-in and funding for a centre in Nunavut is going to be a long road but she's ready and she thinks the territory is ready.
"It took a long time to get to this point," she said.
"I don't want this to be another study with no follow-through. I want this to be a reality. I want children and youth to feel safe."
By actively acknowledging the high numbers of abuse, as well as the high numbers of suicide, and doing something about them, signifies a break in the silence surrounding the issues. "I hope it will provide a place for children, youth and families to feel more comfortable to come forward," she said, adding this may, in turn, help stop the cycle of abuse.
The study should be completed by the end of June and Aglukark says a work plan by September will follow.
"One step at a time, we'll work our way forward. Of course, it will depend on support and funding."
