Source: Justice Canada

Victims of Sexual Violence in New Brunswick to Benefit from Funding

Fredericton Sexual Assault Crisis Centre to Benefit from Federal Government Support

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Feb. 20, 2014) - Department of Justice Canada

Today, Justice Minister Peter MacKay and Keith Ashfield, M.P. for Fredericton, announced $55,000 in funding for the Fredericton Sexual Assault Crisis Centre.

The Fredericton Sexual Assault Crisis Centre will receive funding from the federal government to develop, pilot and evaluate a comprehensive and flexible group therapy model designed for female victims of sexual violence. The therapy model will be based on best practices and will take into account input from adult female victims of sexual crimes. The funding will also be used to develop training sessions and a resource guide for support-group facilitators, to further help victims.

This funding announcement is in keeping with the Government's Plan for Safe Streets and Communities, one of four priorities identified by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in January 2013. It is also in line with the 2013 Speech from the Throne commitment to introduce measures that will increase support for victims of crime.

Quick Facts

  • The funding is being provided as follows:
    • $17,000 for 2013-2014; and
    • $38,000 for 2014-2015.
  • The funding is being provided through the Department of Justice Canada's Victims Fund. The Victims Fund provides grants and contributions to support projects and activities that encourage the development of new approaches, promote access to justice, improve the capacity of service providers, foster the establishment of referral networks, or increase awareness of services available to victims of crime and their families.

Quotes

"For nearly forty years, the Fredericton Sexual Assault Crisis Centre has provided assistance to the most vulnerable members of New Brunswick communities, to help them start a sometimes difficult healing process. By providing funding to the organizations and people who work directly with victims of crime, our Government is fulfilling its commitment to giving victims a stronger voice in our country's justice system. The support we announced today will help the Fredericton Sexual Assault Crisis Centre continue its critical and crucial work in providing and improving services for survivors of sexual violence, for the benefit of all New Brunswickers."

Peter MacKay

Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

"Access to effective services is an important issue for many victims of crime in our province and across Canada. Our Government will address the needs of victims in New Brunswick by helping the Fredericton Sexual Assault Crisis Centre develop and provide specialized therapy for female victims of sexual violence."

Keith Ashfield

Member of Parliament for Fredericton

Related Products

- Backgrounder: Federal Victims Strategy and Victims Fund

Associated Links

- Department of Justice Canada's Policy Centre for Victim Issues

- Department of Justice Canada's Victims Fund

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Backgrounder: Federal Victims Strategy and Victims Fund

The Federal Victims Strategy was created in 2007 and made permanent by the government in 2011. The objective of the Strategy, which is led by the Department of Justice Canada, is to give victims a more effective voice in the criminal justice system. The Department of Justice works in close collaboration with a variety of third parties, including other federal institutions, as well as victims, victim advocates, provincial and territorial governments, service providers, and other actors involved in the criminal justice system. The Department of Justice develops policy and criminal law reform, funds various programs to meet the needs of victims of crime, explores best practices to address victims' needs, and raises awareness about the concerns of victims of crime and their role in the criminal justice system.

Within the Federal Victims Strategy, the Victims Fund is a grants and contributions program administered by the Department of Justice. Funds are available each year to provinces, territories and non-governmental organizations whose projects, activities and operations support the objectives of the Federal Victims Strategy.

The Victims Fund provides funding to 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.

Since 2006, the Government of Canada has allocated more than $120 million to give victims a more effective voice in the criminal justice and corrections systems, through programs and initiatives delivered by the Department of Justice Canada. This funding includes the allocation of $10.25 million for new or enhanced Child Advocacy Centres to address the needs of child and youth victims of crime.

The Government of Canada is building on past measures to further advance the interests of victims, including:

  • Implementing legislation to double the victim surcharge and make it mandatory;
  • Eliminating the faint-hope clause, which allowed murderers to obtain early parole; and
  • Establishing the Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime in 2007.

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

February 2014

Department of Justice Canada

Contact Information:

Paloma Aguilar
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Justice
613-992-4621

Media Relations Office
Department of Justice
613-957-4207