Improving Access to Services for Victims of Crime in New Brunswick

MONCTON, NEW BRUNSWICK--(Marketwired - Oct. 11, 2016) - Department of Justice Canada

A just, peaceful, and safe Canada depends on a fair, relevant and accessible criminal justice system that shows compassion to victims and holds offenders to account.

Today, Sean Casey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, accompanied by the Honourable Denis Landry, New Brunswick's Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Member of Parliament for Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe, announced funding of more than $3.4 million over five years to improve access to and use of resources by victims of crime. New Brunswick has selected intimate partner violence as one of three priorities of its crime-reduction strategy. The funding will contribute to activities that help support services to victims and in particular programs and resources for victims of intimate partner violence and sexual violence. The funding will also facilitate the coordination of community resources in response to dangerous cases of intimate partner violence and help victims participate in the criminal justice process.

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada is committed to gender equality, and ensuring the safety and security of women and girls is a priority. This funding will contribute to services that assist victims of intimate partner violence and help establish an outreach program for Aboriginal victims of domestic violence.
  
  
• The Canadian Victims Bill of Rights includes rights for victims to participate in the criminal justice process. The funds will contribute to a program to provide direct support to children and vulnerable victims who testify in court, and it will support investments in measures to help witnesses in providing testimony, such as video conferencing equipment.
  
  
• This contribution is made available through the Department of Justice Canada's Victims Fund. In 2016-2017, the Victims Fund will make available more than $21 million to provincial and territorial governments and non-governmental organizations to increase awareness and knowledge of victim issues, legislation, and services available, as well as to develop and deliver victim programs, services, and assistance to meet gaps in services for victims of crime. To date, Justice has also announced Victims Fund agreements with the provinces of British Columbia and Prince Edward Island.

Quotes

"Violence inflicted by an intimate partner can have long-term impacts on the physical and emotional health of victims that stretch far beyond to the victim's family, friends, and communities. The programs and services for victims that are supported by this funding will help restore the lives of survivors and contribute to maintaining healthy families and communities."
The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould

- Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

"We welcome the support of the federal government to assist the Department in enhancing current programming to support victims of intimate partner violence and sexual violence, as well as establishing a new Aboriginal Domestic Violence Outreach Program to be implemented in First Nation communities in the northern part of the province. This support strengthens our commitment to build a stronger, safer New Brunswick for our families."

- The Honourable Denis Landry, Minister of Justice and Public Safety of New Brunswick

Related Products

- Backgrounder - Victims Fund agreement with the Province of New Brunswick

Associated Links

- Victims Fund project funding

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