Manitoba funding RCMP child abuse prevention measures, victim supports

The Government of Manitoba is investing just over half a million dollars into the RCMP for it to combat child abuse and victim supports for child abuse survivors.

Making the announcement Friday, Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen said the $519,000 for the supports will be coming from proceeds of the Criminal Property Forfeiture (CPF) Fund.

“Our government is proud to support the RCMP at the Toba Centre and the essential work they do to support victims and their families in the healing process,” said Goertzen in a statement.

“Using proceeds of crime to support the important work happening at the Toba Centre allows our government to continue our ongoing commitment to protect children and families, and ensure perpetrators are held to account for their actions.”

Of the funds, $145,000 will be used by the RCMP to purchase specialized audio and video recording systems to equip interview rooms at the Toba Centre for Children & Youth.

The Toba Centre was established in 2013 and provides services for child-abuse survivors with an initial focus on forensic interviewing to minimize trauma and ensure best practices, according to the province.

“We are so pleased and grateful to see this investment that will help ensure the best quality approach to forensic interviewing,” said Christy Dzikowicz, executive director of Toba Centre for Children & Youth. “When children/youth have been hurt, it is so important that they only have to share their story once and they deserve nothing less than our best possible response.”

The province says the new equipment will help investigators interview child victims appropriately with a trauma-informed approach, and it will help in investigations.

“Interviewing anyone in relation to a traumatic incident is a stressful situation, and for children, it is especially so,” said Insp. Tim Arseneault, Major Crime Services, Manitoba RCMP.

“This funding from the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund will ensure that Toba Centre has the best equipment so that children don’t have to keep reliving their trauma, but can start on the road to healing. We are also receiving funding that will purchase cryptocurrency-tracing software. This will assist police in a variety of investigations. We are grateful we are getting the tools we need to continue to keep Manitobans safe.”

In addition, $27,000 will also go to the RCMP to combat cybercrime through the purchase of cryptocurrency-tracing software.

The cybercrime software will make it easier to trace illegal financial cyberspace activities, locate offenders and facilitate recovery of stolen victim assets.