‘Providing a safe child-friendly space to support young victims through the judicial process.’
News from the Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre
Posted October 16th, 2025 on Niagara At Large
Niagara, Ontario – This past Wednesday, October 15th, 2025 marked a significant milestone for children and youth in Niagara as dignitaries and community partners gathered to officially open the Kristen French Court Support Centre.
Left to Right at opening ceremonies – Kim Rossi (KFCACN), Pat Chiocchio (Acting Regional Chair), Deputy Crown Attorney Todd Morris, Crown Attorney Michal Sokolski, MPP Wayne Gates, Mat Siscoe (Mayor of St. Catharines), Brian Bratt KFCACN, Joanne Macri KFCACN, MPP Jennie Stevens, MP Tony Baldinelli, MP Chris Bittle. All photos courtesy of Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre
Located just steps from the St. Catharines courthouse, this new space offers a safe, supportive environment for children involved in the judicial process.
Court Support Centre where children can provide virtual testimony
The Court Support Centre is an extension of the Child Victim Witness Program, launched in June, which is already supporting 80 young victims across 55 cases. Each child is paired with a dedicated support worker who guides them through the complex court system, ensuring they feel safe, informed, and supported every step of the way.
“The courthouse can be an intimidating place for anyone, let alone a child. Our new Court Support Centre is designed to feel more like a living room than a courtroom, allowing children to testify virtually, meet with their legal team, therapists, and support workers, and have their families nearby. This space puts children first, ensuring their voices are heard while minimizing trauma.” – Joanne Macri, Program Director, Child Victim Witness Program.
Court Support Centre waiting area.
“This Centre is a promise to our youngest and most vulnerable residents that they will be met with dignity, understanding and support. As a Mayor and as a father, I am deeply moved by the work being done here. Every child deserves to feel safe. Every family deserves to be supported.” – Mat Siscoe, Mayor of St. Catharines
For more information on the Child Victim & Witness Program, and the Kristen French Court Support Centre, please visit: Child Victim Witness Program | Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre Niagara
About the Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre – We transform trauma into triumph. In communities across Niagara, we transform lives by providing a safe and supportive environment where children and youth can speak about their experiences to professionals, heal from adverse childhood experiences and build resilience so they can overcome the debilitating effects of childhood trauma.
Working collaboratively with the Niagara Regional Police Service, Family and Children’s Services Niagara, and numerous other partners, the Centre is a charitable, community supported organization that serves Niagara’s 12 municipalities helping children, youth and families cope with the life altering impact of physical or sexual abuse, neglect, or of being an unwilling witness to violence.
For more information from the Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre, click on – https://www.kristenfrenchcacn.org/
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