The Victim Services Branch (VSB) says it remains ready to respond to cases of sexual abuse involving minors.

VSB director Dionne-Dawn Binns recently disclosed that the branch is alerted to cases of sexual abuse against children once these matters are reported to the Centre for Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA).

“We have a very vibrant referral mechanism, particularly with CISOCA, where once a matter is reported to them, it is then referred to Victim Services. We have officers who regularly visit CISOCA and are there for an entire day, so that as the cases come in, they are sent to us, and they are able to access our services even before having to come to our office,” she said.

Binns stated that, while incidences of sexual abuse are typically reported through the branch’s referral sources, reports can also be submitted directly to the VSB, which falls under the purview of the Ministry of Justice, for appropriate action to be taken.

“So, if a parent, a guardian, whoever recognises that a child is being abused, it can be referred to us. Persons can just walk in and access our services. Then we usually do our own assessment, and if we see where there is a situation happening that has either not been reported to the police or whatever relevant body, for instance, the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), then we encourage and assist them through the process to have these reports made,” she noted.

The VSB director emphasised the need to provide a safe environment for minors to report sexual or other abuse.