A message from the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime

It is a great honour to be appointed Canada's first Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime by the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Public Safety. Although there has been significant progress with respect to giving victims of crime a greater role in the justice system, there is still much work that needs to be done.

Since April 2007, we have been meeting with various departments and agencies within the federal government in order to discuss our mandate and promote the concerns and needs of victims of crime. Some of these departments and agencies include the Commissioner of the Correctional Service of Canada, Chairman of the National Parole Board, the National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre, the RCMP Human Trafficking Unit, the Chairman of the RCMP Complaints Commission, the Chairman of the Military Police Complaints Commission and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

In 2003, all federal, provincial and territorial Ministers of Justice signed the Canadian Statement of Basic Principles for Victims of Crime. The ministers all agreed to consider the needs of victims of crime when developing policy and legislation, including their privacy and safety interests. Our office will promote these principles to federal departments and agencies that have responsibilities to victims of crime.

As Ombudsman, I may review complaints and concerns on behalf of registered victims of crime with respect to the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, or on behalf of any victim about any federal service. The office will try to assist victims through the review process and find a quick resolution. When this is not possible, I can issue reports and make recommendations to the Minister of Justice and/or Minister of Public Safety.

We will also identify emerging and systemic issues that impact negatively on victims of crime. One of our first priorities is to conduct a thorough, victim-centred review of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, building on previous work by Parliamentary Committees and national consultations with victims.

An ongoing theme of our work over the next three years will be the commercial and sexual exploitation of children. This is a complicated and challenging area which touches on various criminal activities. Initially, we plan to focus on the problem of Internet facilitated child sexual exploitation. Our work will concentrate on finding solutions and working with key stakeholders, to promote policy and legislative changes to enhance the ability of police to rescue children who are being victimized. We are also working with key partners to identify the unique needs including the privacy interests of these children.

In addition to Internet exploitation, we will be reviewing Canada's efforts to combat sexual abuse, including the high rates of victimization in Aboriginal communities.

I look forward to working with victims and key stakeholders over the next three years to ensure that the federal government is meeting its responsibilities to victims of crime.

Thank you.

Steve Sullivan
Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime