Government of Canada Announces Funding to Help Victims of Human Trafficking in Vancouver

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - July 7, 2015) - Wai Young, MP for Vancouver South, accompanied by Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Peter MacKay, today announced funding of more than $88,000 to The Salvation Army Deborah's Gate program to help victims of human trafficking reintegrate into society. This funding follows through on the Government of Canada's commitment to protect society's most vulnerable by supporting organizations that help victims who have been trafficked for sexual exploitation or forced labour.

With the funding announced today, The Salvation Army's Deborah's Gate will develop and implement an 80-week intervention and rehabilitation program for up to 70 women and girls who are victims of human trafficking.

Quick Facts

• The Salvation Army's Deborah's Gate program will receive $88,500 to expand its services to help human trafficking victims develop life and living skills.

• The program will focus on providing individualized care to address the specific needs of each resident.

• The project will also further build partnerships with governments, law enforcement, agencies and not-for-profit organizations.

• The funding announced today demonstrates the Government's commitment to meaningfully support those exploited through human trafficking.

• Federal government support of up to $500,000 yearly for victims of human trafficking is a key part of Canada's National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking.

Quotes

"Our Government is pleased to announce our support for this new intervention and rehabilitation program at Deborah's Gate focusing on one-on-one care for victims of human trafficking. This horrific abuse of human rights is unacceptable and affects all of us. Our Government stands up for victims of crime and is proud to support Deborah's Gate in helping victims of this heinous crime to heal and move forward to a better life."

Wai Young

Member of Parliament for Vancouver South

"Human Trafficking is a despicable crime that preys on the most vulnerable, especially women and children. Our Government is committed to the safety of all Canadians and has taken strong action on this issue, including by implementing mandatory minimum sentences for those who have been convicted of child trafficking. Our Government will continue to stand up for victims of crime, while placing them at the heart of our justice system."

Peter MacKay

Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

"The Salvation Army's commitment to provide innovative and specialized programming for survivors of human trafficking will continue as a result of the direct support of the Department of Justice Victims Fund through the Living Hope: Life and Living Skills Program. We will provide supports and resources for survivors to recover from their experience and re-integrate back into a safe and healthy community, in ways such by developing key life and living skills that are specific and inclusive of each survivor's voice."

Lt Colonel Larry Martin

Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army British Columbia Division

Related Products

• Federal Victims Strategy and Victims Fund

Associated Links

• National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking: 2013-2014 Annual Report on Progress
• National Forum on Human Trafficking - Summary Report, 2014
• National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking
• RCMP I'm Not For Sale Campaign

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Backgrounder

Federal Victims Strategy and Victims Fund

The Federal Victims Strategy brings together federal efforts to give victims of crime a more effective voice in the criminal justice system. It was created in 2007 and made permanent in 2011. The objective of the Strategy, which is led by the Department of Justice Canada, is to give victims a more effective voice in the criminal justice system. The Department works in close collaboration with other federal departments and agencies, as well as victims, victim advocates, provincial and territorial governments, service providers, and others involved in the criminal justice system. The Department develops policy and criminal law reform, funds various programs to meet the needs of victims of crime, explores best practices to address victims' needs, and raises awareness about the concerns of victims of crime and their role in the criminal justice system.

Within the Federal Victims Strategy, the Victims Fund is a grants and contributions program administered by the Department of Justice. More than $13M is available each year to provinces, territories and non-governmental organizations whose projects, activities and operations support the objectives of the Federal Victims Strategy.

The Victims Fund provides funding to projects and activities that:

• Enhance victim assistance programs across Canada;
• Promote access to justice and participation in the justice system and the development of laws, policies, and programs;
• Promote the implementation of principles, guidelines, and laws designed to address the needs of victims of crime and articulate their role in the criminal justice system;
• Contribute to increased knowledge and awareness of the impact of victimization, the needs of victims of crime, available services, assistance and programs, and legislation; and
• Promote, encourage and/or enhance governmental and non-governmental organizations' involvement in the identification of victims' needs and gaps in services, as well as in the development and delivery of programs, services and assistance to victims, including capacity building within non-governmental organizations.

Since 2006, the Government of Canada has allocated more than $158 million to give victims a more effective voice in the criminal justice system through initiatives delivered by the Department of Justice Canada.

More information is available on the Department of Justice Canada's website.