Glossary of Terms

Types of Victimization

Families of Homicide Victims

The surviving family members of a victim of a murder.

Families of Missing, Abducted, and Exploited Children

The family members of child victims who are missing, who have been abducted, or who have been exploited in any manner.

Families of Sexually Abused Children

The family members of a child victim of sexual abuse (see Child/Youth Sexual Abuse).

Hate Crime

The victimization of any person who has experienced a criminal offence committed against a person, a group of people, or property which was motivated by that person’s or group’s apparent belonging to a segment of the population identified by skin colour, race, religion, ethnic origin, or sexual orientation

Human Trafficking

The victimization of any person who has been transported, transferred, and/or harboured, both within Canada and internationally, against their will and exploited for use in slavery or slavery-like conditions, sexual exploitation, forced labour, forced marriages, or for other purposes.

Impaired Driving

The victimization of any person who has experienced bodily harm due to a motor vehicle accident in which at least one driver was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and/or was legally intoxicated at the time of the accident

Child/Youth Sexual Abuse

Child/Youth victim

A person under the age of 18 years old who has been involved in a sexual act with a person in a position of trust and authority by age, strength, or intelligence, including acts such as touching, fondling, exposing oneself, participation in prostitution and any participation or viewing of pornography.

Adult survivor of child/youth sexual abuse

An adult age 18 years of age or older who was sexually abused as a child.

Child/Youth victim of sexual exploitation

A child who has been taken advantage of and/or manipulated by any person in a position of trust or authority by age, strength, or intelligence, for sexual purposes.

Child/Youth Violence

Physical Abuse

A child under the age of 18 years who has experienced physical threats or physical violence or whose needs have been neglected or disregarded by a person or persons in a position of authority or in which a relationship of trust exists.

Bullying

A child under the age of 18 years who has experienced unwanted and repeated physical, psychological, and/or sexual assault from another child in their peer group who seeks domination over the victim. This includes online bullying and threats.

Criminal Harassment (Stalking)

An adult 18 years of age or older who has been repeatedly followed, contacted, watched, or threatened against their will in any manner, including electronic (phone, e-mail, instant messaging) contact .

Domestic Violence

Adult victim of Partner Abuse

An adult age 18 years of age or older who has been abused one or more times sexually, physically, psychologically by a current or past partner or spouse

Child/Youth victim/witness of domestic violence

A child under the age of 18 years who has been abused in any way or exposed to abuse of any kind within a family environment.

Sexual Assault

Adult - female victims

An adult female 18 years of age or older who is assaulted by another person in a manner which consists of any unwanted sexual act

Adult - male victims

An adult male 18 years of age or older who is assaulted by another person in a manner which consists of any unwanted sexual act

Types of Services

Advocacy

The promotion of the best interests of victims, and the active support of the needs, rights, and services for victims.

Compensation

Assistance in completing forms for criminal injury compensation claims.

Counselling

Short and/or long term crisis intervention, emotional support, guidance and counselling provided by advocates, counsellors, mental health professionals, or peers. Such counselling may occur at the scene of a crime or immediately after a crime or be provided on an ongoing basis.

Court Accompaniment

To go with the victim/witness to court to explain court procedures, answer questions, define legal terms, and provide general emotional support to the victim/witness.

Crisis/Distress Line

A telephone service for victims, often in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing immediate, over-the-phone counselling, guidance, emotional support, information and referral.

Crisis Intervention

The provision of emergency psychological care to victims and the referral of victims to agencies which provide long-term counselling or support services.

Emotional Support

Providing comfort and assistance to victims through listening, providing information, and counsel.

General Information

Information provided by an agency regarding the criminal justice system, services available to victims, and a variety of other services and programs in their community.

Hospital Accompaniment

To go with the victim to a hospital or health clinic in order to receive emergency health care after experiencing victimization, particularly in cases of sexual assault.

Safety Planning/Risk Assessment

Creating an emergency safety plan for women and children at risk of domestic violence or criminal harassment (stalking). Assistance in determining the risk or likelihood of the reoccurrence of domestic violence.

Self-Help Support Groups

A group of people who provide moral support and information to each other on issues relating to a shared experience of victimization.

Services offered in other languages

Services offered in languages other than English or French.

Shelters/Housing/Transition Homes

Temporary accommodation or emergency shelter, usually for victims of domestic violence.

Victim Impact Statements (assistance in preparation)

Support and assistance in preparing written statements made by the victim of a crime which describes the harm done to the victim and, more generally, the effect that the crime has had on his or her life. The statement is provided, in writing, to the court, which uses the statement to determine the type and/or length of sentence the offender will receive.

Victim Notification

A service that notifies victims of information or changes regarding their court case, and/or the status of the accused or offender.

Victim/Witness Preparation

The provision of information and support throughout the criminal justice process, including court preparation and/or Victim Impact Statement preparation.

Population Specific Services for

Aboriginal persons

Persons who identify with at least one Aboriginal group (i.e. North American Indian, Métis, or Inuit), as well as persons who identify with more than one group, and person who do not identify with an Aboriginal group, but who are Registered or Treaty Indians or members of an Indian band.

Children and Youth

Those who are below the age of 18 years old.

Gay, bisexual, transgender men

A man who is attracted to individuals of the same sex, to both sexes, or who identifies with a different gender.

Lesbian, bisexual, transgender women

A woman who is attracted to individuals of the same sex, to both sexes, or who identifies with a different gender.

Persons with disabilities

Those who have a hearing, visual, or mobility impairment and/or who have a mental health, cognitive, or learning disability.

Senior persons

Those who are the age of 65 years or older.

Members of a visible minority

Persons, other than Aboriginal peoples, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour.