Backgrounder: Federal Victims Strategy/Victims Fund

In 2007, the Government announced the Federal Victims Strategy and committed $52 million over four years to respond to the needs of victims of crime.

As part of the Economic Action Plan, Budget 2011 renewed the Federal Victims Strategy at a funding level of $13 million per year. Budget 2012 built on this funding by adding $7 million over five years, $5 million of which will be directed to the creation and enhancement of Child Advocacy Centres across Canada.

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. Working in collaboration with victims, victim advocates, provincial and territorial governments, service providers and others involved in the criminal justice system, the Department identifies issues of concern to victims of crime, and facilitates policy development and criminal law reform.

The Federal Victims Strategy includes the Victims Fund, a grants and contributions program administered by the Department of Justice. With the new funding announced in Budget 2012, the Fund will have $11.6 million each year available to fund provinces, territories and non-governmental organizations whose projects, activities and operations support the objective of the Federal Victims Strategy. The terms and conditions of the Victims Fund have also been enhanced so that non-governmental organizations can apply to receive time-limited operational funding.

The Victims Fund funds projects and activities which:

• promote access to justice and participation by victims in the justice system;
• promote the development of law, policies and programs for victims;
• promote the implementation of principles, guidelines and laws designed to address the needs of victims of crime and articulate the victim's role in the criminal justice system;
• increase knowledge and awareness of the impact of victimization, the needs of victims of crime, available services, assistance and programs, and relevant legislation;
• encourage governmental and non-governmental organizations to identify victim needs and gaps in services, and develop and deliver programs, services and assistance to victims; and
• promote capacity building within non-governmental organizations.

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Government of Canada
April 2012