Centre renamed in honour of Kristen French

(Update)
22-years after Kristen French was abducted and killed by Karla Homolka and Paul Bernardo, the Child Advocacy Centre of Niagara is honouring her memory. The place dedicated to helping abused children is being re-named in Kristen’s honour. Kristen’s parents are advocates for abused children.

Kristen French was the epitome of innocence. A fifteen-year old, simply walking home from school looking forward to the Easter weekend when she was abducted.

Donna French: “And when she first went missing I thought when we get her back. There wasn’t any place available for her. There was very little out there.”

Over the years, Kristen’s parents Doug and Donna have been advocates for abused children. Doug spearheaded the fundraising campaign to build the Child Advocacy Centre in Niagara. The only one of its kind in Canada. It’s a stand alone, child friendly facility where abused children can go to be interviewed by police and other authorities preferably just once.

Today, on its sixth anniversary the CAC Niagara is re-naming the building the Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre.

Lynn Jerchel, Child Advocacy Centre of Niagara: “It’s about time. We wanted to rename the centre. She lost her life too early.”

Donna French: “Well, that just takes it over the top. I’m sure she’s smiling down. She’s probably thinking about this tribute.”

Doug French: “it’s an honour to us and it’s a wonderful tribute to her.”

This afternoon, during a heart-warming ceremony the new plaque bearing Kristen’s name was unveiled. Balloons were released by Kristen’s mother into the air.

Donna French: “You have no idea how heartwarming it is. When you lose a child and that child no longer has an identity, a parent fears they won’t be remembered.”

Kristen French’s entire family were all here to release the balloons. Even though it’s been 22 years, a lot of people left the ceremony in tears.