Boost Child & Youth Advocacy Centre

Boost Child & Youth Advocacy Centre (Boost CYAC) is a creative community response to child abuse investigations. A partnership among local community and government agencies, it brings together all professionals involved in child abuse cases under one roof, for a coordinated, seamless, interdisciplinary response to child abuse victims in Toronto. The CYAC space is accessible, safe, and child and family-friendly. We have a child interview room, and a child examination room where physical and sexual abuse examinations can be performed. The interview rooms are equipped with recording equipment, to document and preserve a child’s statement so it can be used in the criminal justice process – and reduce the child’s trauma in repeatedly telling his/her experience of abuse. Our team of highly-skilled professionals collaborate on cases, take actions that prevent re-victimization, and support the child’s long-term well-being, as well as non-offending family members. Our goal is to provide a centre of leadership, promoting excellence in child abuse prevention, support services, research, training and education – a collective community response to protecting Toronto’s children from abuse. Boost CYAC’s community service partners in the City of Toronto include: Children’s Aid Society of Toronto, Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto, Native Child & Family Services, Jewish Family & Child, Toronto Police Service, SAFE-T Program (Halton Trauma Centre), Child Development Institute, and the Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect Program (The Hospital for Sick Children).