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Ministry of the Attorney General Ministère du Procureur général PDF Version

For Immediate Release
December 18, 2006



MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT INCREASES INVESTMENT IN COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME


Applications For Community-based Groups To Receive Funding
Now Being Accepted For 2007–08

TORONTO — The McGuinty government is inviting community-based agencies to apply for 2007–08 funding to help victims of crime, Attorney General Michael Bryant announced today.

"Victims of crime need high quality community-based services to help them on the road to recovery," said Bryant. "That is why we are investing in local projects that will put the money to use where it will do the most good. Our government will invest more in victims services over four years than the previous government did over eight."

Applications to the Community Grants program are being accepted until February 15, 2007. Eligible agencies (more than 4,000 of which are now being directly notified about how to apply) include incorporated not-for-profit organizations such as community agencies, First Nations, police services, schools and universities, health care facilities and municipalities.

For 2007–08, the government will place priority on projects that assist victims of hate crimes, domestic violence and sexual assault; child/youth victims, including young victims of sexual abuse and exploitation; and other victims groups that are unserved or under-served. Eligible projects should meet victims' needs in innovative ways and address service gaps. This year, cross-regional initiatives will be considered. Projects must not extend beyond one year in length.

Interested members of the public and the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) have been invited to sit on regional review committees, which will review and suggest projects for funding.

"I am honoured that the OVC will participate again this year in the selection of the excellent projects that are funded through this worthwhile process," said Ruth Campbell, Chair of the Office for Victims of Crime. "These services provide enormous help and support for victims of crime."

"Involving members of the community and the Office for Victims of Crime in the selection of proposals will help ensure the grants will provide for exceptional services to be delivered to victims of crime," said Bryant. "We will continue to make sure communities have a real voice in developing local projects that fill gaps and are innovative and effective."

In the 2006–07 Community Grants program, 68 community agencies received a total of $6 million in funding for victims' services.

This funding is just the latest example of how the McGuinty government is on the side of Ontario's victims of crime. Other initiatives include:

  • Implementing a comprehensive, five-part, $5-million provincewide strategy to combat Internet child pornography and luring
  • Investing $2 million this year to boost support for community agencies that provide shelter and counselling services to women and children escaping violence in their homes. This two per cent increase brings annual support to shelters to nearly $118 million
  • Setting up a Hate Crimes Community Working Group to make recommendations for improving services for victims of hate crimes and to prevent further victimization.

For information on eligibility or how to apply for funding, visit the ministry website at http://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/about/vw/grants/default.asp.


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Contacts:
Brendan Crawley
Ministry of the Attorney General
Communications Branch
(416) 326-2210


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