An Overview of Victim Services Across Canada

Manitoba

Legislation

The Government of Manitoba proclaimed the Victims' Bill of Rights in 2001. With this proclamation, a fund was created to collect the 15% victim surcharge added to all provincial statute fines, including highway traffic offences.

Services

The Manitoba Justice Victim Services Branch is part of the Criminal Justice Division and provides a full range of services across the province to child and domestic violence victims, and victims of the most serious crimes. Crime Victim Services Workers (CVSW) throughout Manitoba guide victims of crime through the complexities of the criminal justice system by advising them of their rights and responsibilities and offering support while the charge proceeds through the system.

The Domestic Violence Support Service offers assistance, support and information to victims of domestic violence. The program is also responsible for the coordination of the Victims 1 st Cell Phone Program which provides an added level of protection to people who are involved in high-risk relationships or are at risk of being stalked. The Domestic Violence Intervention Unit offers support to families who receive police services for domestic violence-related incidents that occur in Winnipeg, but that do not result in charges or arrests. The Child Victim Support Service deals with cases involving children, youth, and adult survivors of abuse. The Victims' Rights Support Service provides assistance in cases involving victims of serious crimes. Manitoba's Victim/Witness Assistance Program provides support services to crime victims and those subpoenaed as Crown witnesses in court. Crime Victim Service Workers also provide guidance in the Manitoba Victim Impact Statement Program, to aid victims in writing and submitting a Victim Impact Statement to the court.

Compensation

The Compensation for Victims of Crime Program provides compensation to victims who suffer personal injury, hardships or expenses as a result of certain crimes. The program is also available to specific relatives and dependents of victims of homicide in Manitoba. Compensation may cover reasonable expenses resulting from a crime including: payment of medical expenses, replacement of damaged clothing, dental treatment, replacement of prescription eyeglasses, payment of therapy or counselling, compensation for lost wages for victims who have been disabled or for dependents of a victim who is fatally injured, support payments for dependents, payment for rehabilitation, compensation for permanent disability and funeral expenses.

Victim Services: www.gov.mb.ca/justice/victims/index.html

Compensation for Victims of Crime: http://www.gov.mb.ca/justice/victims/pdf/compensation.pdf