Government of Canada Provides Funding to Help Male Victims of Sexual Trauma and Their Families

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Aug. 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.

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Backgrounder

Federal Victims Strategy and Victims Fund

Since 2006, the Government of Canada has allocated more than $120 million to give victims a more effective voice in the criminal justice and corrections systems through programs and initiatives delivered by the Department of Justice Canada. This funding includes the allocation of more than $10 million for new or enhanced Child Advocacy Centres, since 2010, to address the needs of child and youth victims of crime

The Federal Victim Strategy 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 of Justice works in close collaboration with other federal institutions, as well as victims, victim advocates, provincial and territorial governments, service providers and others involved in the criminal justice system. The Department of Justice develops policy and criminal law reform, funds various programs to meet the needs of victims of crime, and shares information about issues of importance to victims of crime.

Within the Federal Victim Strategy, the Victims Fund is a grants and contributions program administered by the Department of Justice. Funds are available each year to fund 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 law, 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 victim needs and gaps in services and in the development and delivery of programs, services and assistance to victims, including capacity building within non-governmental organizations.
  
  

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