THE GATEHOUSE INVESTIGATION SUPPORT PROGRAM

What is The Gatehouse Investigation Support program?  It is a program that facilitates child abuse investigation by providing:

• A child-friendly investigation site where police officers and child welfare personnel can interview children and family members in an independently managed, comfortable and non-threatening environment
• State-of-the-art investigation recording facilities separated from the child friendly interview room.
• Follow-up support to family members to minimize stress and provide a continuum of services as they make their way through the larger social service system

Why is this program needed?

• The larger systemic response to child abuse can be confusing, intrusive, and incredibly frustrating. Often non-perpetrating family members are in shock by the initial disclosure, and then are overwhelmed by the system. Therefore, with the support of our community, we have developed this program that facilitates a child's disclosure of abuse in a way that will limit the number of times that a child has to re-tell his/her story.

What makes The Gatehouse program unique?

• As the only one of its kind in Canada, The Gatehouse fills the gap within existing programs in the larger community by providing services not already available to individuals impacted by child abuse
• During the investigation process the Investigation and Adult Support Coordinator will focus on the needs of children and his/her family members as well as providing a professional environment where investigators may maximize excellence in investigation protocol. This occurs in the following ways:
  • Work in collaboration with the investigative services to provide a safe child-friendly investigation site
  • Unique service response that helps to reduce trauma in the aftermath of child abuse
  • Referral and advocacy support to appropriate community organizations
  • Short-term consultation for non-perpetrating family members and adolescents
  • Consultation to community workers

Our ultimate goal is to create a seamless continuum of support services for children and their non-perpetrating family members

Why record testimony?
1 in 4 children will experience abuse.  Despite the prevalence of child abuse, this crime remains to be the most difficult to prosecute, since there is rarely a witness or medical evidence, and the children are usually of an age where testifying in court is extremely difficult. Therefore, children deserve the most comfortable setting possible in which to tell their story.  Recorded testimony is seen to be the best form of evidence, because it reduces the number of times that a child will have to repeat their story, and it means that children will have to testify less frequently in a court room setting.

What can you expect when you arrive at The Gatehouse for an Interview?
Children, their families, police officers and child welfare representatives will be greeted by our friendly staff and invited into our home-like atmosphere.  Children are allowed water, before the investigation.  After the investigation, waiting family members and the investigation team are offered tea, coffee, hot chocolate or water. While police and child protection workers are interviewing the child, our Investigation and Adult Support Coordinator stays available to waiting family members to provide support and information regarding the interview process.

The family or guardian will have the option of follow-up support provided by The Gatehouse, which may involve consultation and referrals.  Families are encouraged to call The Gatehouse with any concerns or questions they may have with regard to their child and the investigation process.  All caregivers are provided with our Gatehouse brochure, that explains the investigative process and helps to ensure that questions get answered and family concerns are heard.

When the interview is completed, the child is offered cookies, treats and juice.  Also, every child is offered a handmade child-size quilt or a teddy bear, which has been generously donated by community members and corporate donors.  This further assists in providing a safe, comfortable environment that encourages people to feel more relaxed during what can be an emotionally stressful time.

Who Uses The Gatehouse during the Investigation Support program?

• Police personnel investigating child sexual abuse or sexual assaults
• Child Welfare Workers
• Child abuse treatment professionals

POLICE AND SOCIAL SERVICE WORKERS
The Gatehouse is here to support everyone involved in the investigation process. This includes children, youth, adults, families, and the investigation team. Police officers from many divisions in Toronto have used our facilities, as have representatives from many child welfare agencies. We encourage the police and child protection workers to conduct child abuse-related interviews in a child friendly space like ours.

Here are some of the reasons why you might choose to use The Gatehouse for an investigation:

• 24-hour, 7-days a week access
• Easily accessible from major highways
• Investigation room, equipped with state-of-the-art video recording system ("A Best Practice Site")
• Comfortable home-like atmosphere that assists children and families in feeling supported during a very difficult time
• Fully equipped kitchen with coffee, tea, juice and snacks for investigative teams and families
• Fully equipped living room with television, painting and colouring, toys and books for families while they wait
• On-site staff that can support families, make referrals and consult with investigation teams
• Our space is also available for post-interview support, trauma assessments, etc.

As well as providing services for children and adults, we consult with social service workers in the community.  Occasionally, therapists working with a client will uncover minimized memories of childhood abuse. This may not be the therapist's area of expertise and since s/he has developed a relationship with the client it could be counter- productive to refer the client out.

We are open to receiving your consultation calls and hope you'll feel free to let us know how we can better support you. To leave a message for consultation or further information, please call 255-5900 ext 222 and ask for the Investigation and Adult Support Coordinator.