An Overview of Victim Services Across Canada
Over the past thirty years, all jurisdictions in Canada have made significant advances in the services for victims of crime. Beginning with small but effective programs delivered by non-governmental organizations, services for victims of crime have expanded to include services provided by the police, services provide through the court system as well as new and expanded programs provided by non-governmental organizations. Each jurisdiction has found its way and developed victim’s services unique to their provincial and territorial needs. Each province and territory, and the federal government, has instituted legislation related to victims of crime, the following overview describes the victim services available throughout Canada listed by province and territory. As each jurisdiction is unique, you will find that certain jurisdictions have developed a combination of the various types of service delivery.
Services by Type
System-based Victim Services
This type of delivery of victim services is independent from police, courts and Crown Attorneys. System-based victim services assist the victim throughout the victim's contact with the criminal justice system. This may include, but is not limited to, providing information, support and referral; short-term counselling; court preparation and accompaniment; victim impact statements preparation; liaising with police, courts, Crown and Corrections. This model of victim services is found in Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Manitoba and Yukon.
Police-Based Victim Services
Police-Based Victim Services are victim services that are provided following first contact with the police. While these victim service agencies are located in police detachments, they are not generally employed by the police. The police may refer the victim to victim services or advise victim services to make contact with the victim. Many police-based victim services include a coordinator plus volunteers. Some police forces employ victim services workers as well. Police-based victim services may provide information, support, assistance, referral and court orientation to victims of crime. Jurisdictions that use police-based victim services include Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia.
Court-Based Victim Services
Court-Based Victim Services are mandated to provide support for people who have become involved in the criminal justice process as either victims or witnesses. Court-based victim services provide information, assistance and referrals to victims and witnesses with the goal of trying to make the court process less intimidating. Services may include court orientation, preparation and accompaniment to court, updates on the progress of the case, coordinating meetings with the Crown and assessing the ability of a child victim/witness to testify. Some court-based victim services focus on specific clientele i.e. children or victims of domestic violence. This type of service can be found in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories.
Community-Based Victim Services
Community-based victim services are agencies that provide direct services to victims and receive funding either in whole or in part by the provincial and/or federal government responsible for criminal justice matters. Some community-based victim services agencies serve a specific clientele such as victims of family and sexual violence, ethno-specific and diverse communities, and assisting child victims. Services offered may include providing emotional support, practical assistance, information, court orientation and referrals. This delivery of service can be found in every jurisdiction except Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Manitoba and the Yukon.
Volunteers and Non-Governmental Organizations
As mentioned above, many of the police-based and community-based victim services utilize the services of volunteers to assist with their programs. Volunteers can assist in many different ways including direct contact with clients to provide assistance. Other ways may include providing administrative help, fundraising or serving as board members. Most organizations that use the services of volunteers provide training in victim assistance to the volunteers.
Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime
On April 23, 2007, Steve Sullivan was named the first ever Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime. The Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime focuses exclusively to matters within federal responsibility and is mandated to:
- facilitate access of victims to existing federal programs and services by providing them with information and referrals;
- address complaints of victims about compliance with the provisions of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act that apply to victims of offenders under federal supervision and providing an independent resource for those victims;
- enhance awareness among criminal justice personnel and policy makers of the needs and concerns of victims and the applicable laws that benefit victims of crime, including to promote the principles set out in the Canadian Statement of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime; and
- Identify emerging issues and exploring systemic issues that impact negatively on victims of crime.
