Government of Canada Launches National Victims of Crime Awareness Week 2012

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - April 22, 2012) - Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, Q.C., M.P. for Delta South and Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today represented Minister Nicholson at an event to kick off National Victims of Crime Awareness Week (NVCAW). Findlay joined the Canadian Crime Victim Foundation (CCVF) and "Five with D.R.I.V.E." walkers as they begin their cross-Canada journey.

The Five with D.R.I.V.E. Foundation, in collaboration with the Calgary Police Services and the Canadian Crime Victim Foundation, will walk from Vancouver to Toronto to raise awareness about the issues faced by victims of crime. Their combined efforts will help strengthen understanding and empathy for those they strive to empower - victims.

"Being a victim of crime can be a life-altering experience, and that is why we are committed to helping victims of crime move forward by providing them with the support and tools that they need," said Minister Nicholson. "Our Government has made the voices of victims a priority and we will continue to make meaningful changes for victims of crime."

The walk is just one example of more than 160 events and projects that are being held in all provinces and territories during National Victims of Crime Awareness Week. The federal government has invested more than $1.4 million in these local events.

"Today is the first step in a long journey for these five individuals," said Findlay. "The theme of this year's National Victims of Crime Awareness Week is 'Moving Forward,' and I see walking across Canada as a great symbol of the determination shown by our communities to help victims of crime move forward. By supporting local events and projects across Canada, our Government helps raise overall awareness about issues facing victims of crime."

"I am very proud to have two or our officers participating in the 2012 Freedom Walk - Journey for Justice," says Chief Rick Hanson of the Calgary Police Service. "Their goal of educating Canadians about the impact of crime, abuse and bullying, combined with their fundraising efforts to support victims of crime, is a commendable one. I wish them a safe and fulfilling journey!"

"The Freedom Walk is a statement for basic human rights; a Canadian birthright that needs everyone's support," said Joe Wamback, Co-Founder and Chair of the CCVF.

The 7^th annual NVCAW builds on the Government's strong track record of taking real action for victims of crime. In 2007, the Government announced the Federal Victims Strategy and committed $52 million over four years to respond to the needs of victims of crime. The Government announced renewed funding in 2011 in the amount of $26 million over two years for the Federal Victims Strategy. In Economic Action Plan 2012, the Government committed to increasing funding in the Victims Fund in the coming months.

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BACKGROUNDER

Funded Projects for National Victims of Crime Awareness Week 2012

The Department of Justice Canada provided funding through the Victims Fund of up to $10,000 each to organizations to host events during National Victims of Crime Awareness Week (NVCAW) 2012. The following is a sample of the events taking place across the country, in every province and territory. To view the complete list of the 162 funded projects and events, visit the NVCAW Calendar of Events at http://canada.justice.gc.ca/eng/pi/pcvi-cpcv/cal/index.html.

• SLAVE LAKE VICTIMS SERVICES SOCIETY
  Community Appreciation Event
• ACT ALBERTA - ACTION COALITION ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING
  Victims of Human Trafficking Week - Awareness-Raising Events, Training and Conference
• NATIVE COURTWORKER AND COUNSELLING ASSOCIATION OF BC
  "Promoting Safe Communities" Print Campaign
• THE LAUREL CENTRE
  "The Silent Witness Project"
• AGE & OPPORTUNITY
  "Moving Forward" Innovative Training on Older Victims for Victim Service Workers
• TABLE DE CONCERTATION POUR CONTRER LA VIOLENCE CONJUGALE ET FAMILIALE DANS LA PÉNINSULE ACADIENNE
  « Aller de l'avant »
• CANADIAN CRIME VICTIM FOUNDATION AND THE FIVE WITH D.R.I.V.E. ASSOCIATION
  "Freedom Walk" from Vancouver to Toronto, Awareness Raising Event
• VICTIM SERVICES ELGIN
  « Moving Forward with Sheldon Kennedy » Awareness Raising Events
• CANADIAN PARENTS OF MURDERED CHILDREN, INC.
  "Stop blaming the victims" workshop
• ASSOCIATION DES FAMILLES DE PERSONNES ASSASSINÉES OU DISPARUES
  « Soutenir nos familles et aller de l'avant ! »
• YORKTON PARTNERSHIP AGAINST VIOLENCE COMMITTEE
  "Moving Forward Bully Free, A Pink Clothesline Project"