Victims and Survivors of Crime Week
Call for Workshop Proposals

Each year, the Victims Week National Organizing Committee and the Policy Centre for Victim Issues at the Department of Justice Canada invite interested individuals, groups and organizations to submit a proposal for a workshop to be included as part of the annual Victims Week virtual events.

The Policy Centre for Victim Issues will send out an E-Blast announcing the launch of the Call for Proposals each year. To receive the E-Blast and to be added to the Victims Week distribution list, please email vwsdv@justice.gc.ca.

To submit a workshop proposal, please complete the below application form:

Application Form

Each available timeslot is 90 minutes in length – this includes time for a question-and-answer period. In an effort to showcase various aspects of a particular topic, presenters who have proposed workshops on related subjects may be asked to present with each other in the form of a panel discussion. In these instances, presenters may be asked to amend their proposed workshop to a shorter version.

Please note that although a select number of workshops will be chosen for Victims Week each year, the Policy Centre for Victim Issues may consider your workshop proposal for future webinars and/or knowledge exchange events, if your consent is given.

Workshop Guidelines

The workshops/presentations should reflect the theme for Victims Week: “The Power of Collaboration”. This theme recognizes that:

• Over the past three decades, there have been significant advances within Canada’s criminal justice system and victim services field to increase collaboration to ensure that the system is responsive to the various needs of victims of crime.
• There is a continued need within the criminal justice system and victim services field for increased cross-sector collaboration, as well as enhanced coordination, partnerships, and multi-disciplinary responses to better support victims.
• More can be accomplished to address gaps in the continuum of services and to break down barriers for better access to the meaningful supports that victims depend on throughout the criminal justice process. 

In order to facilitate a comprehensive agenda, we are seeking workshop proposals that meet one or more of the following objectives:

1. Providing specialized, practical, and evidence-based training and information to victim service providers and criminal justice professionals.
2. Sharing knowledge and delivering training in an engaging and inspiring manner.
3. Raising awareness about the issues facing victims and survivors of crime, and the services, assistance, and laws in place across Canada to help them and their families – with particular attention to current and emerging victims’ issues and emerging or promising practices.

Applicants must be prepared to deliver their presentation remotely using an online platform.

Applicants must also demonstrate in their proposal how their presentation will be delivered in an accessible, culturally safe, and trauma-informed manner.

The Victims Week National Organizing Committee will assess proposals based on how well they meet the objectives above.

Please note that we are seeking presenters on a volunteer basis, and no honorarium or speaker fee will be paid to presenters.