Biography of Steve Sullivan, Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime

Steve Sullivan, a long-time advocate for victims of crime, has been named by Order in Council to the position of the first Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime.

Mr. Sullivan began working in the victims' rights movement in 1993 as director of research with Victims of Violence, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention of crimes against children . In 1995, he became the Executive Director of the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime, and was appointed President in 1998. Most recently, he has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of this organization devoted to advocacy for victims and survivors of violent crime in Canada.

Mr. Sullivan has advocated on behalf of individual victims at various stages of the criminal justice system including the corrections system, and has worked with various levels of government for increased victims' rights and services. He has appeared before various government committees examining issues such as parole reform, legislation regarding the protection of children, sentencing reform, DNA evidence and victims' rights.

Mr. Sullivan has done extensive research on victim-related issues including access to information, families of unsolved homicide and victims of terrorism. He has delivered training to staff of the National Parole Board and Correctional Service of Canada on victims and taught a course on victims and the criminal justice system at Algonquin College in Ottawa.

Mr. Sullivan holds a B.A. Honours in Law with a concentration in Criminal Justice from Carleton University.