ESTEVAN — The Estevan Police Service (EPS) says its new child and youth interview room has proven to be beneficial when interviewing young people who are connected to an investigation.
The room, which the EPS has previously described as a "safe space", was made possible through $56,500 in funding from the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund. The area was completed in January and has been used by a few different agencies since that time. The civil forfeiture fund covered the bulk of the cost, Police Chief Jamie Blunden said, and the city’s budget accounted for the rest of the expense.
Blunden said the room has been used a handful of times, and he doesn't want to see it used frequently. It has been well received by young people and the different agencies. He added Southeast Regional Victim Services and young people have been pleased with their experience.
He compared the room to “a little den”, with sitting spaces that allow a child to be comfortable in the chairs. They can enjoy reading, colouring and other activities. Bean-bag cushions are available for the older teens. A padded tree provides children a place to read and an area is designated for the interview.
“The room itself is set up with both microphones and video to capture every spot within that room, so that way any sort of interaction with the child or the youth is captured and is accessible for the courts to be able to view,” said Blunden.
Children 17 years of age and under can access the room.
“It’s geared towards kids that are younger … but teenagers that are 16 or 17 can come in and relax in the chairs at the far end and still be comfortable in that room,” said Blunden.
Donations have come in so a child can take home a toy or a gift once the interview is finished. It could be mittens or a scarf for the winter, or a stuffed animal.
“It’s very well set up for those kids to be able to come, be a child," said Blunden. "We get the information that we need to get and make sure they’re supported throughout the time.”
The EPS has been given the green light to eventually have young people testify remotely from the room for court proceedings.
