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Victims Fund

Overview

The Victims of Crime Initiative (VCI) responds to the 1998 Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights report entitled Victim's Rights - A Voice Not a Veto .

Grounded in the Canadian Statement of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime , the goal of the VCI is to improve the experience of victims of crime in the criminal justice system by responding to the needs and concerns of victims. This is achieved through consultation, policy development, research, legislative review and amendments, and project funding.

The objectives of the VCI are to:

• Ensure victims of crime and their families are aware of their role in the criminal justice system, and the services and assistance available to them;
• Enhance the capacity of the Department of Justice to develop policy, legislation, and other initiatives which take into consideration the perspectives of victims;
• Increase the awareness of criminal justice personnel, allied professionals and the public about the needs of victims of crime, legislative provisions designed to protect them, and services available to support them; and
• Develop and disseminate information about effective approaches within Canada and internationally that respond to victim's needs.

The VCI is made up of a number of components that work together to fulfill its goal and objectives. These include:

• The Victims Fund
• The Policy Centre for Victims Issues ; and
• Legislative amendments

For more information visit the Victims of Crime website .

The Victims Fund

Part of the Victims of Crime Initiative, and overseen by the Policy Centre for Victim Issues, the Victims Fund supports a wide range of projects and activities that arise to improve the experience of victims in the criminal justice system.

The Fund has $2 million available each year over five years. The objectives of the Fund include:

• To promote access to justice and participation in the justice system and the development of law, policies and programs.
• To promote the implementation of principles, guidelines and laws designed to address the needs of victims of crime and articulate their role in the criminal justice system.
• To contribute to increased knowledge and awareness of the impact of victimization, the needs of victims of crime, available services, assistance and programs and legislation.
• To promote, encourage and/or enhance governmental and non-governmental organizations' involvement in the identification of victim needs and gaps in services, and in the development and delivery of programs, services and assistance to victims, including capacity building within non-governmental organizations.
• To provide direct, limited, emergency financial assistance to:
  • Individual victims of crime in exceptional circumstances for emergency situations of undue hardship where no other source of financial assistance is available;
  • Individual victims (family members/survivors) of homicide victims who incur expenses to attend early parole eligibility hearings (s. 745.6);
  • Individual victims of offenders under federal jurisdiction/supervision who incur expenses to attend National Parole Board hearings in respect of the offender.

There are three components of the Victims Fund. These components directly support the objectives of the Victims of Crime Initiative. These are:

• Provincial and territorial implementation;
• Projects and activities;
• Financial assistance.

How to apply for funding

The Department of Justice's Programs Branch has developed a Funding Guide that helps you prepare an application for funding. The guide provides you with eligibility criteria, information about the application process, an application form, and a glossary of terms.

The Victims Fund can, and often is, accessed in conjunction with other program funding from the Programs Branch. Applications will be reviewed carefully to determine linkages from the Victims of Crime Initiative to other initiatives/ programs so that funding can be shared when appropriate.

Resources

More in-depth information about the Victims program or the Victims Fund can be found in the following areas:

• Victims of Crime Initiative Web site (The Fund)
• The Victims Fund Fact Sheet
• Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Information

For more information about the Victims of Crime Initiative please contact the Director of the Policy Centre for Victims Issues at: (613) 957-4690.

For further information about the Victims Fund:

Programs Branch
Department of Justice Canada
284 Wellington Street, 6^th Floor
Ottawa , Ontario
CANADA
K1A 0H8

Telephone: (613) 957-9581
Fax: (613) 941-2269
E-mail: voc-vac@justice.gc.ca