SASKATOON CHILD CENTRE WILL CO-ORDINATE RESPONSE TO CHILD ABUSE

Released on October 6, 1995

Justice Minister Bob Mitchell today announced the establishment of the
Saskatoon Child Centre, an innovative facility which will provide an
integrated, co-ordinated response to child abuse.

"More than 30 organizations and agencies in Saskatoon have been
involved in developing the proposal for a child centre," Mitchell said.
"The Victims Fund of Saskatchewan Justice is pleased to be supporting a
pilot project with such a strong base of community commitment.

"We are confident this child centre will come to serve as a model and a
resource for communities across the province."

The parties involved in the planning, development and implementation of
the Saskatoon Child Centre project include police, prosecutors, victims
services staff, doctors, mental health professionals, the district
health board, the school systems, agencies and individuals from the
Aboriginal community and a number of community agencies that provide
services to children and families.

"The Saskatoon Child Centre will provide a non-threatening, supportive
environment where a child can interact with the justice, health care
and social service professionals involved in responding to abuse
allegations," said Norm Doell, Saskatoon deputy police chief and chair
of the board of directors of the child centre project.

"We expect that working out of the Child Centre will enhance our
effectiveness," Doell said. "It will help to ensure that a child
victim's interactions with the professionals involved in responding to
abuse are as constructive and supportive as possible."

The board has advertised for a director and is in the process of
searching for a suitable site for the child centre. It anticipates the
centre will be in operation within six months.

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For further information, contact:

Lisa Ann Wood Norm Doell
Saskatchewan Justice Saskatoon Child Centre Board
Regina Saskatoon
Phone: (306) 787-7872 Phone: (306) 975-8250