Enhancing technology in rural and First Nations Yukon communities to improve access to services for child and youth victims and their families through justice processes and beyond

In 2011, Department of Justice for Yukon Government began Project Lynx in response to high rates of police-reported sexual crimes against children and youth. Project Lynx reduces trauma and re-victimization of children in the... [ view full abstract ]

In 2011, Department of Justice for Yukon Government began Project Lynx in response to high rates of police-reported sexual crimes against children and youth. Project Lynx reduces trauma and re-victimization of children in the justice system through a multidisciplinary coordinated response to child abuse. Research and evaluation support integrated approaches involving law enforcement, child protection, prosecution, medical, family/victim advocacy, and other resources. Project Lynx enhances system responses at organization, team and client levels, applying trauma-informed victim-focused and child-centered best practice standards for young victims and families across systems.

Project Lynx coordination efforts identified service gaps for young victims and families living in rural Yukon having less access to services to assist them in navigating the justice process. Court parties travel out to each community, however between circuit court sittings court business occurs in Whitehorse. Victims and families often have to drive or fly vast distances in the community to attend court or to access supports, affecting their participation and resulting in exclusion from court processes, meetings, and sentencing.

Project Lynx partners have taken innovative steps to enhance technological capabilities to reach rural and First Nations children, youth and families to increase their participation in justice processes in their communities. Enhancements to videoconferencing across Yukon support client access to justice processes including prosecution, victim services, and court testimony. Now victims and families have opportunity to safely and comfortably participate in court processes using video technology.

Early outcomes have been positive related to videoconferencing for young victims to provide testimony from outside the courtroom. Videoconferencing improvements also support Yukon justice processes to align with best practices for child and youth victims and families and the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights. Continuing infrastructure improvements will support the capacity of the community providing access to more services and resources through the available technology.