Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers 41 child-centred decision-making in situations of violence to ensure the safety of children and others. OTHER STRATEGIES TO PREVENT AND RESPOND TO CHILD ABUSE In addition to reforming the law and enhancing its implementation, the Department of Justice Canada is involved in many other strategies to prevent and respond to child abuse. Education Education involves providing children with knowledge about their rights, and teaching them the skills to identify abuse, ask for help, and avoid being re-victimized. Further, parents and caregivers need information and support to help them care for children in a positive and nurturing manner. The Department supports public legal education programs across Canada that educate the public about family violence, including the prevention, identification and reporting of child abuse. Professional development and resources Many different groups of practitioners may have contact with children who are abused. Enhancing the awareness and skills of judges, Crown prosecutors, defence lawyers, police, health care workers, social workers, psychologists, and teachers about child abuse enables effective intervention. The Department works with its partners to support specialized training for justice system and law enforcement personnel in order to build a coordinated multi-sectoral, multi-disciplinary response with other systems. Research, data collection and information sharing The Department is involved in a number of national-level research and data collection activities related to child abuse that will help to: • increase knowledge about child abuse and its impacts throughout different stages of life • improve information exchange between government agencies • increase the effectiveness of responses to child abuse, and • enhance services and supports for children. Support for program and service delivery Support and intervention for children and families who have experienced abuse, or who are at risk, are essential. Through project funding the Department of Justice Canada supports pilot projects to develop, test and assess models, strategies and tools to improve the criminal justice system’s response to child abuse. Through the National Strategy on Crime Prevention and Community Safety, the Department supports communitybased prevention and intervention programs that address risk factors for child abuse. Child Abuse: A fact sheet from the Department of Justice Canada Department of Justice Canada Family Violence Initiative ...Family Violence Initiative continued
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