GOVERNMENT OF CANADA PROVIDES FUNDING TO HELP MALE VICTIMS OF SEXUAL TRAUMA AND THEIR FAMILIES
OTTAWA, August 12, 2013 – Today, the Honourable Peter MacKay, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Central Nova, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, announced $120,000 in funding for 1in6 Canada, a web-based national knowledge and resource centre on male sexual trauma and recovery created by The Men's Project.
"This funding for 1in6 Canada will help support male victims of sexual trauma, as well as their friends, family and support networks,"
said Minister MacKay. "It is vital that those who have suffered the devastating impacts of sexual abuse know that they have access to services that can help them heal and thrive."
The Men's Project is a non-profit charitable counselling agency that has been providing clinical services to men and their families since 1997. In support of the 1in6 Canada initiative, the funding will be used by The Men's Project to:
- Create awareness and promote access to the provisions in the justice system designed to address the needs of victims, as they seek recourse;
- Increase knowledge of the services, assistance and programs available to victims in their local communities;
- Assist family and friends to develop a greater understanding of the issues, in their efforts to support victims;
- Enhance the capacity of victim service providers to identify needs and gaps in service provision and encourage partnerships with other service providers; and
- Provide public education materials to increase the knowledge of the general public and reduce the stigma associated with being a victim of sexual trauma.
The Men's Project has launched a website, www.1in6.ca, which provides resources and information for victimized men, their friends and family, and service providers.
The Government of Canada is building on past measures to further advance the interests of victims, including:
- Allocating more than $120 million since 2006 to give victims a more effective voice through initiatives delivered by the Department of Justice Canada;
- Designating $10.25 million for new or enhanced Child Advocacy Centres to address the needs of child and youth victims of crime;
- Creating the Federal Victims Strategy in 2007 and its permanent renewal in 2011;
- Establishing the Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime;
- Introducing legislation to double the victims' surcharge and make it mandatory; and
- Eliminating the faint-hope clause, which allowed murderers to obtain early parole.
This funding announcement is in keeping with the Government's Plan for Safe Streets and Communities, one of four priorities identified by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. This plan focuses on holding violent criminals accountable, enhancing the rights of victims, and increasing the efficiency of our justice system.
Backgrounder: Federal Victims Strategy and Victims Fund
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