Department of Justice

MINISTER McLELLAN ANNOUNCES FUNDS FOR NATIONAL VICTIMS ORGANIZATION

OTTAWA, March 15, 2001 - Today, the Honourable Anne McLellan, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada announced that the Government will provide $75,000 to Canadians Against Violence Everywhere Advocating Its Termination (CAVEAT) as part of a federal initiative to improve support to victims of crime.

"We are committed to funding organizations that help victims of crime," said Minister McLellan. "The funding provided to CAVEAT will enhance its capacity as a victim advocacy organization, improve its ability to respond to the many victims who seek their guidance and solidify its position as a leading advocate for victims rights."

CAVEAT is a non-profit charitable organization, based in Burlington, Ontario, that raises awareness about the victim's role in the justice system, advocates for victims' rights and promotes crime prevention through education and early intervention. To meet its mandate, CAVEAT hosts conferences, workshops and seminars, publishes pamphlets and newsletters and hosts a Web site.

"As a voice for victims for almost 10 years, CAVEAT is heartened by the financial assistance from the Department for Justice's Victim Fund. These funds will permit us to continue to convey victims concerns to the government through policy and legislative submissions in the criminal justice system," said Priscilla de Villiers, President of CAVEAT.

The grant for CAVEAT is being provided through the Victims Fund administered by the Department of Justice's Policy Centre for Victims Issues. Through this fund, $10 million in grants and contributions is available over the next five years for initiatives that raise awareness of victims' needs, as well as services and programs available to them. Resources will also be made available to programs ensuring victims of crime and their families better understand their role in the criminal justice system as well as to projects that assist in the development of policy and legislation that takes into consideration the perspectives of victims.

To find out more about the Policy Centre for Victims Issues and Victims Fund, visit http://canada.justice.gc.ca and select the Victims of Crime Web site.

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Ref:

Farah Mohamed
Minister McLellan's Office
(613) 992-4621

Catherine Kane
Victims Policy Centre
(613) 957-4690