Government of Canada Launches Victims and Survivors of Crime Week

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - May 30, 2016) - Department of Justice Canada

A well-functioning justice system is one that serves all Canadians, protects the vulnerable, and builds a safer and better Canada. It is especially important to include the voices of those most affected by the justice system - victims and survivors.

Today, the Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, launched Victims and Survivors of Crime Week that is taking place from May 29 to June 4, 2016.

The theme for Victims and Survivors of Crime Week is "The Power of Our Voices." The goal is to raise awareness about the issues facing victims and survivors of crime and the services and laws in place to help them and their families. It is also about acknowledging the dedicated work of service providers who assist victims and survivors of crime and their families.

This year, the Government of Canada has provided over $1.2 million in funding to 182 Victims and Survivors of Crime Week projects and events located in every province and territory. A federal symposium will be held in the National Capital Region on Friday, June 3, 2016, where Minister Wilson-Raybould will deliver remarks. Victims and Survivors of Crime Week evolved out of the annual National Victims of Crime Awareness Week. Survivors of crime are now included in the name of the week to acknowledge the many individuals who, having been victims of crime, have overcome their victimization and identify themselves more as survivors.

Quotes

"Across Canada, countless dedicated professionals and volunteers provide meaningful support to victims, survivors and their families by advocating for them and delivering effective and efficient services. Through funding and collaboration with organizations that provide victim services, the Government of Canada is helping to ensure the voices of these victims and survivors are heard."

The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Related Products

Backgrounder: Victims and Survivors of Crime Week 2016

Associated Links

www.victimsweek.gc.ca

Follow Department of Justice Canada on Twitter (@JusticeCanadaEn), join us on Facebook or visit our YouTube channel.

Backgrounder

Victims and Survivors of Crime Week 2016

About Victims and Survivors of Crime Week

Victims and Survivors of Crime Week takes place from May 29, 2016 to June 4, 2016. The Week is an annual outreach initiative of the Government of Canada. The goal of Victims and Survivors of Crime Week is to raise awareness about the issues facing victims and survivors of crime, as well as the services, assistance and laws in place to help victims, survivors and their families. Victims and Survivors of Crime Week is also a time to acknowledge the work of service providers and their dedication to assisting victims and survivors of crime and their families.

Theme for 2016

The theme for the 2016 week is The Power of Our Voices. This theme recognizes that:

• Many victims and survivors are looking to move beyond their victimization and use the power of their voices to create positive change. While all victims of crime define their experience differently, their victimization does not need to define them.
• Throughout Canada, countless dedicated professionals and volunteers use the power of their voices to create a better experience for victims and survivors of crime by advocating for them and delivering effective and efficient services.
• Service providers and criminal justice professionals give information and meaningful support to victims, survivors and their families at the community, provincial, territorial and federal levels. Through funding and collaboration with organizations that provide victim services, the Government of Canada is helping to ensure that victims and survivors are heard.
• Over the past three decades, Canada has made significant advances towards ensuring that victims are treated with courtesy, compassion and respect while navigating the criminal justice system. By working together, all levels of government are recognizing the power of victims' and survivors' voices and making sure those voices are given the attention they deserve.

Victims and Survivors of Crime Week Projects

The Government of Canada, through the Department of Justice Canada's Victims Fund, provides funding of up to $10,000 per organization to host events that support the goals of Victims and Survivors of Crime Week. This year, more than $1.2 million in funding was provided to 182 Victims and Survivors of Crime Week events and projects across Canada that include activities such as workshops, public events and training sessions for professionals. Examples of events and activities that are organized during Victims and Survivors of Crime Week include:

• Workshops and information sessions about violence against women and intimate partner violence and the services available in the rural communities near St. Anthony, Newfoundland and Labrador, Elsipogtog First Nation and Woodstock, New Brunswick.
• Workshops that feature the use of traditional practices, such as Indigenous storytelling and healing, with child victims in St. Catharines, Ontario, and an Indigenous grieving and releasing ceremony in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to honour the victims of crime and support their families, their loved ones and service providers.
• Public awareness events in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, and Whitehorse, Yukon, about the issues facing victims and survivors of crime and the services, assistance and laws in place to help them.
• Training for victims' service professionals in the Northwest Territories on assisting women who have experienced family violence, and a workshop for service providers in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, on responding to crisis.

The complete list of funded projects and events is available on the Victims Week Map of Events at http://www.victimsweek.gc.ca/map-carte/events-evene.aspx

For more information about Victims and Survivors of Crime Week, including videos and testimonials, resources and information about past symposia, please visit www.victimsweek.gc.ca.