Improving Access to Services for Victims of Crime in PEI

CHARLOTTETOWN, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND--(Marketwired - Aug. 8, 2016) - Department of Justice Canada

Crime can have devastating impact on victims. As a just society, it is important that the necessary supports and services are available to respond to the immediate and ongoing needs of victims, survivors, their families and their communities.

Today, Sean Casey, Member of Parliament for Charlottetown, on behalf of the Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, announced funding of more than $1.9 million over five years for two projects that will help improve access to services for victims of crime in Prince Edward Island.

This contribution is available through the Department of Justice Canada's Victims Fund. The funding will be used by the Prince Edward Island Department of Justice and Public Safety to provide direct services to victims of crime, further promote access and participation of victims in the justice system and support implementation of the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights.

Quick Facts

The Government of Canada is contributing $1,474,300 to a project to improve access to justice services for victims of crime that will:

• promote access to justice and participation in the justice system;
• develop, implement and enhance programs to respond to the needs of victims of crime including children, visible minorities youth at risk, seniors and persons with disabilities;
• promote the implementation of principles, guidelines and laws designed to address the needs of victims of crime and explain their role in the criminal justice system; and
• encourage and foster the establishment of networks of service providers, to share information and best practices and rely on existing expertise and services through referrals and network building.

The Government of Canada is also contributing $436,561 to a project that will help enforce payment of restitution and provide child-friendly waiting rooms and testimonial aids for witnesses.

Quotes

"Providing necessary support to people who have become involved in the criminal justice process as either victims or witnesses contributes to a more effective and relevant criminal justice system for all Canadians. The Government of Canada is prepared to work together with all levels of government to ensure that victims of crime have the services they need."

The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.

"It is important that victims of crime feel that that the criminal justice system is fair and working for them.
This multi-year funding will help bring about real, positive change, to victims of crime in Prince Edward Island by promoting their participation in the criminal justice system, helping service providers to work more effectively with victims, and making victims of crime and their families more aware of the services available to them."

Sean Casey, Member of Parliament, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.

"We are working with our partners to improve access to justice services for those who have been impacted by crime, so that victims and witnesses have access to the supports they need. This investment will enhance the provincial Victim Services program and help improve the capacity of service providers, maintain direct services, and increase supports for children and vulnerable witnesses."

The Honourable H. Wade MacLauchlan, Premier and Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General, Government of Prince Edward Island.

"Responding to the needs of victims and their families helps reduce the impact and consequences of crime. This funding from the Government of Canada supports the province's work to enhance services for victims and witnesses, improve access to justice and further support the implementation of the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights."

Susan Maynard, Provincial Manager, Victim Services, Department of Justice and Public Safety, Government of Prince Edward Island.

Related Products

- Victims Fund agreement with the Province of Prince Edward Island

Associated Links

- Victims Fund project funding

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BACKGROUNDER

Victims Fund agreement with the Province of Prince Edward Island

Victims Fund

Providing the necessary supports and services to respond to the immediate and ongoing needs of victims, survivors, their families and their communities is an important part of a fair and accessible criminal justice system. The Victims Fund is a grants and contributions program administered by the Department of Justice Canada. Funds are available each year to provinces, territories and non-governmental organizations whose projects and activities support the objectives of the Federal Victims Strategy.

The Victims Fund supports 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.

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

Improving Access to Justice Services for Victims of Crime in PEI

The Department of Justice Canada is contributing funding to two five-year projects that are being delivered by the Prince Edward Island Department of Justice and Public Safety. The projects support victims' access to services with activities that include pilot projects, building service delivery capacity, networking, training sessions and raising awareness. The anticipated outcomes of the activities include:

Improving Access to Justice Services for Victims of Crime in PEI - 2016-2021

• ongoing assistance for victims in five courts, eight police jurisdictions, francophone communities and Aboriginal communities, both on and off reserve.
• more knowledge and awareness among Aboriginal people about their rights and the process to apply for an emergency protection order;
• greater participation in a new model of intervention to address situations of acutely elevated risk involving children and youth, and their families;
• new training for victim service providers working with government, police services and communities in assessing and responding to potential risks of domestic violence and child abuse; and
• better information sharing on victim issues and best practices in service delivery;

Deputy Sheriff Position to Enforce Payment of Restitution Child-Friendly Waiting Rooms and Testimonial Aids Report Creation

• better results for victims of crime in the area of restitution enforcement; and
• enhanced court services for witnesses including child-friendly waiting rooms, interpretation/translation services and testimonial aids for vulnerable witnesses.