Opinion: Changes needed to protect young sexual abuse victims

Despite widespread awareness of trauma-informed practices, Canada’s justice system continues to fail young survivors of sexual abuse. Instead of adapting the system to protect and empower the most vulnerable, we force them to navigate processes that often re-traumatize and silence them.

Why prepare children for harm, rather than demanding that the system evolve?

A recent federal report, Rethinking Justice for Survivors of Sexual Violence, presents a critical opportunity for change, outlining clear recommendations and actionable steps. The Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime study demonstrates an urgent need to expand and strengthen child and youth advocacy centres across Canada.

These centres represent the most effective response to child abuse. They offer an integrated, trauma-informed, child-friendly approach to investigating abuse and supporting young victims. By bringing together law enforcement, child protection, medical professionals and mental-health services, these centres ensure co-ordinated care in a safe and supportive environment.

The centres play a vital role in helping children and families navigate the complexities of the criminal legal system. They provide essential services such as remote testimony, court preparation and support, and the comforting presence of facility dogs — all designed to reduce stress and re-traumatization.

Currently, not all children and youth have access to an advocacy centre. Too often, young victims of sexual abuse are expected to navigate adult criminal courts — intimidating, adversarial spaces not designed for children.

The justice process remains largely adult-oriented, prioritizing procedural rights. We must ensure that children’s rights are equally upheld through processes that are fair, timely and sensitive to trauma. Without reform, we risk re-traumatizing children these systems should protect.

Criminal cases involving child sexual abuse often hinge on the child’s disclosure. Inside the courtroom, children are subjected to cross-examinations designed to test credibility. These proceedings are not developmentally appropriate — legal jargon is confusing, the presence of the accused can be terrifying, and the adversarial nature of the process often disregards the emotional and psychological needs of the child.

The justice system must recognize that trauma affects memory, communication and resilience. A trauma-informed approach would shift the focus from testing the child to protecting them — ensuring justice does not come at the cost of further harm.

The question is not whether measures exist to honour and protect children’s rights — they do. The Canadian Victims Bill of Rights guarantees the right to protection, participation, and access to testimonial aids, such as screens, support persons, facility dogs and video testimony. However, these accommodations are not universally applied across Canada.

In some provinces, children must formally request these supports and may be denied access depending on judicial discretion or procedural barriers. Others grant accommodations automatically. This inconsistency places an unfair burden on children to advocate for protections they should receive by default.

These measures should be universally available, not contingent on geography, legal representation or judicial interpretation.

We know enough. The research, the recommendations and the trauma-informed frameworks are already in place — we simply need to do better. Protective measures must move from optional to standard practice, and be implemented consistently.

As well, children cannot wait months or years for their cases to proceed. Faster timelines are essential to accommodate developmental needs and reduce the risk of re-traumatization. Testimonial aids must be readily available and well-supported.

The universal admission of video-recorded statements should be guaranteed for all child victims. Legal professionals must receive mandatory training in trauma-informed and child-centred practices. We must ensure every Canadian child can access trauma-informed justice without obstacles, inconsistency or added harm.

The gap between what young victims need and the current system highlights an urgent need to expand and strengthen child and youth advocacy centres across Canada.

These centres offer trauma-informed, co-ordinated support that prioritizes the rights, safety and well-being of children and youth affected by abuse or violence.

Leah Zille and Karen Orser are co-chairs of Child & Youth Advocacy Centres of Canada. Gina Dimitropoulos and Naomi Parker are co-directors of Kindex Research and Knowledge Centre.