Victim Services

The Provincial Victim Services Program
The Child Victim/Witness Program
The Criminal Injuries Counselling Program
The Victim Impact Statement Program

The Provincial Victim Services Program
If you are a victim of crime, or the spouse or relative of a victim, the Provincial Victim Services Program, through its four regional offices can provide you with information, support and assistance as your case moves through the criminal justice system.

How Can We Help?
The program staff can help by

• giving general information on the criminal justice system (police, courts, prosecution, corrections)
• getting information about your court case
• helping you contact police, the Crown Attorney and the correctional system
• helping you prepare to testify in court
• explaining and helping you prepare a Victim Impact Statement
• helping you apply for restitution
• helping you apply for Criminal Injuries Counselling
• providing special help to child victims or witnesses of crime
• referring you to other agencies that may be helpful

We cannot give you legal advice or long term counselling, but we can assist you in contacting other helping agencies. There are no fees for our service. The services of the Provincial Program are available through the regional offices.

The Child Victim/Witness Program
Involvement in the criminal justice system can be a confusing and even frightening experience, particularly for a child. Children are often afraid of being asked questions in court and are worried about doing something wrong. Court hearings may be delayed resulting in long waiting periods which can be very frustrating.

How Can We Help?
Our service can help a child victim or witness by

• giving information and answering questions about the criminal justice system,
• explaining the court process and everyone’s role in it,
• providing a tour of the courtroom and preparing a child for court,
• arranging meetings with the Crown Attorney,
• going to court with the child,
• helping to prepare Victim Impact Statements,
• helping with an application for Criminal Injuries Counselling, and
• assisting to contact other agencies that can be of help

At this difficult time, children and the parents or adults who are helping them can receive assistance and support from the Child Victim/Witness Program. Initial meetings with a child may take place in the child’s home. To obtain the above services, you can contact your local regional victim services office.

To learn more about going to court as a child victim / witness, you may want to refer to the following web sites: for young children; for youth.

The Criminal Injuries Counselling Program
If you have been a victim of a violent crime committed in Nova Scotia, the Criminal Injuries Counselling Program may be able to pay for professional counselling services to help you deal with trauma resulting from the crime.

How Can We Help?
You may receive counselling if you have been a victim of a violent criminal offence such as physical assault, sexual assault or robbery. The immediate family of a person who has been murdered may also receive counselling. Counselling may also be awarded if you were personally injured while trying to stop someone from committing a crime.

Counselling is provided by private counselling practitioners within the community who are approved counsellors with the program. Counsellors must apply to become approved counsellors and meet certain criteria.

What Do You Need To Do?
You must report the crime to police. You must cooperate with police and other criminal justice officials in the investigation of the crime and the prosecution of the person responsible for the crime.

After you report the crime to police you should contact the nearest regional victim services office or the Criminal Injuries Counselling Program at the Victim Services head office for an application. Our staff can also help you fill out the application. Generally, you must apply within one year of the crime. This one-year filing requirement can be extended in certain circumstances.

Usually a decision will be made once the investigation of the crime is complete and program staff have received the police report.

If your application for counselling is approved, you can choose from a list that will be sent to you of approved counsellors in your area. The counsellor will bill our program directly for the service provided. Fees for counselling services vary by counsellor. When you call for your first appointment with a counsellor you should ask whether there will be a charge to you beyond the fee paid by our program.

Victim Impact Statement Program
The Victim Impact Statement Program offers victims of crime the opportunity to present to the court for consideration in sentencing a statement outlining the financial, physical, and psychological/emotional impact of the crime.

As a victim of crime you may feel left out of the criminal justice process. You may feel that everyone’s story is being heard except yours. However, victims can have a voice in the process. Before the offender is sentenced, you may tell the court how the crime has affected you through a Victim Impact Statement.

What is a Victim Impact Statement?
A Victim Impact Statement is your opportunity to tell the court about the impact of the crime on your life. It is a statement, written in your own words, that is considered by the judge in deciding the sentence for the offender.

Who May Complete a Victim Impact Statement?
A victim of any criminal offence may complete a statement. However, the statement is not considered by the court until after the accused person has been found guilty of the offence.

Who Decides if a Victim Impact Statement is Submitted to the Court?
You do. Whether or not you provide a statement is entirely your decision. Once you submit the statement to the court, it cannot be withdrawn. Your statement may be submitted in writing only or you may choose to read it in court.

What Information Can I Give?
The statement should describe the harm or loss you have suffered as a result of the crime. Your statement should refer only to the specific crime for which the offender was found guilty. It should not contain opinions on the character of the offender or the punishment the person(s) should be given. If your statement contains information other than the impact the crime has had on you, the court may not consider your statement.

How Will the Information Be Used?
The information in your Victim Impact Statement is used by the judge in determining an appropriate sentence for the offender. It may also be used by correctional authorities when making decisions regarding the offender such as when considering the offender’s application for release on parole.

Is the Information Confidential?
No. Once the accused is found guilty or has pled guilty a copy of your Victim Impact Statement is given to the judge, the Crown Attorney and the offender or the offender’s lawyer. The contents of the statement are presented in a court hearing which is open to the public. The written consent of the judge is necessary, however, before the court will make a copy available to the public or to the media.

Do I Have to Appear In Court?
It is usually not necessary for you to appear in court; however, you may have to testify in court if any of the information in your statement is questioned.

Where Do I Go If I Want to Submit A Victim Impact Statement?
Victim Impact Statement forms and guidelines are available from your nearest regional office. A Victim Services Officer will help you to complete the statement and will submit it to the court on your behalf.