Federal Government Observes Victims Week at Event Hosted by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwired - April 11, 2014) - Department of Justice Canada

Today, the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Shelly Glover, hosted a local community event at the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (Canadian Centre during the ninth annual National Victims of Crime Awareness Week (Victims Week).

Victims Week 2014 is being held across Canada from April 6 to 12 with the theme "Taking Action." Victims Week raises awareness about issues facing victims of crime and the services, programs and laws in place to help victims and their families.

The Canadian Centre is a registered charitable organization dedicated to the personal safety of all children. The Centre's goal is to reduce child victimization by providing programs and services to the Canadian public.

Through the Department of Justice Canada's Victims Fund, more than 180 organizations received funding to hold events during Victims Week. In Manitoba, the federal government provided a total of $50,040 in funding for seven different events. For information on other events held around Manitoba, please visit http://www.victimsweek.gc.ca/map-carte/events-evene.aspx

Last week, Prime Minister Harper announced the introduction of legislation to create a Canadian Victims Bill of Rights. The Canadian Victims Bill of Rights would transform the criminal justice system by entrenching rights at the federal level for victims of crime for the first time in Canadian history. An online version of the legislation can be found at www.parl.gc.ca.

Quick Facts

• Through the Victims Fund, a grants and contributions program administered by the Department of Justice Canada, victim-serving organizations were provided with up to $10,000 in funding to hold events during Victims Week. This year, more than 180 events and projects will be held across the country, with a federal government investment of more than $1.2 million.

• By introducing legislation to create a Canadian Victims Bill of Rights, the federal government is delivering on a commitment from the 2013 Speech from the Throne, a commitment reiterated in Budget 2014. The legislation is also part of the Government's Plan for Safe Streets and Communities, which focuses on holding violent offenders accountable, enhancing the rights of victims, and increasing the efficiency of our justice system.

Quotes

"As a mother and a law enforcement officer, I have seen first-hand the impact that community-led initiatives can have on the feeling of safety for individuals, families and entire communities. I am pleased that our Government is funding over 180 events across the country, including seven right here in Manitoba. These events fit perfectly with the theme of this year's Victims Week - "Taking Action." Individuals, communities, organizations and governments all need to take action to address the needs of those affected by crime. It is therefore important to recognize organizations like the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, which tirelessly deliver innovative services and programming that help promote the safety of Canadians, especially those who are most vulnerable - our children. I am also very proud of the action our Government has taken by introducing the Victims Bill of Rights Act, legislation that will improve the experiences of victims of crime across the country.

Shelly Glover

Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

Protecting victims and providing them with a louder voice in our justice system is a key priority for our Government. Introducing the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights, which would legislate rights at the federal level for victims of crime for the first time in Canadian history, is marking a significant shift in how we will consider victims and victim issues in our country. It's therefore fitting that the theme of this year's Victims Week is "Taking Action," as it truly recognizes that we all need to do our part to help those affected by crime. I want to personally extend a warm thank-you to all of the organizations and people, both volunteers and professionals, in Winnipeg and across the country who work hard on a daily basis to better meet the needs of victims of crime and help make Canada a more just place to live, grow and raise our families.

Peter MacKay

Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

The Canadian Centre is very grateful for the ongoing and steadfast support we receive from the federal government. This support helps enable us to fulfill our mission to help families and protect children. We applaud the Government's commitment to raising awareness about the issues facing victims and their families as well as taking steps to strengthen their voices and their rights at the federal level.

Lianna McDonald, Executive Director

Canadian Centre for Child Protection

Related Products

• Backgrounder: National Victims of Crime Awareness Week 2014

• Backgrounder: Overview of Canadian Victims Bill of Rights

• Backgrounder: Right to information

• Backgrounder: Right to protection

• Backgrounder: Right to participation

• Backgrounder: Right to restitution

• Backgrounder: Victim Surcharge

Associated Links

• National Victims of Crime Awareness Week

• News release: Introduction of Canadian Victims Bill of Rights

• Department of Justice - Policy Centre for Victim Issues

• Department of Justice - Victims Fund

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