Government Severs Ties With Oyate Safe House
Thursday, March 06, 2008 at 14:59
Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer announced today that the provincial government is discontinuing a contract for services with the Oyate Safe House in Regina.
Oyate is a five-bed residential facility that was designed to assist females aged 12 to 18 who were victims of sexual exploitation or at-risk to be such victims.
The facility was closed in April 2006 after it came to light that some children staying there continued to be exploited while it was open.
Children’s Advocate Marvin Bernstein eventually concluded the clients at the safe house were in a situation where they weren’t safe.
Harpauer says her government is taking this action because it has determined that Oyate cannot effectively deliver appropriate programs and services to the children in care.
The safe house is run by the File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council.
Representatives of the facility’s board of directors haven’t been immediately available for comment.