Searching for Victims Of Crime Support Programs

COVID-19 (13 Apr 2020): All groups, accompaniment services, and public events cancelled. Counselling sessions being rescheduled or offered by phone. Crisis line continues with possible schedule changes.

Services

• support, information, and long-term counselling services to survivors of sexual assault, sexual harassment and childhood sexual abuse
• information and short-term counselling for supporters of survivors
• support groups and workshops
• accompaniment to court, hospital or police
• community education
• volunteer training program
• public education

Support organization

• support groups
• individual support including advocacy
• peer support model
• short and long-term support
• information
• support line
• Young Women At Risk (YWAR) Program
• Women & War Program
• Ritual Abuse Support
• public education
• speakers
• volunteer opportunities
• information on violence against women issues
• accompaniment and support to court, hospital and police (as resources allow)

General support groups:

• four general support groups per year (daytime and evening)
• generally 8-10 women per group
• lasts 15-20 weeks, meeting once per week for 3 hours
• specialized support groups as needed

Training program for prospective volunteers twice per year (Fall and Spring)

Information sessions for women healing from sexual violence, subjects include:

• dealing with memories and flashbacks
• understanding and releasing anger
• self-esteem and self-care

A survivor-led charitable organization with a mission to prevent child sexual abuse and human trafficking.

• support the healing and recovery of individuals and communities from the health, financial and emotional impacts of these crimes through specialized, trauma-informed programs and services.

Services along continuum of www.voicefound.ca/the-clinic

Primary and preventative health care

• for persons at risk of, are being, or who have been trafficked www.voicefound.ca/education
• Knowledge transfer and training on the topics of Childhood Sexual Abuse, Human Trafficking, Health Care and Best Practices.

COVID-19 (May 7, 2020): Centre will no longer offer its services in person for the time being * legal information services remain available by telephone at 1-844-343-7462 during regular business hours * offering public legal education presentations remotely through Zoom to its community partners * contact for more information

Legal information and referral services offered on a confidential basis

• all areas of law
• 30 minute meeting with a lawyer, who can offer legal information
• referral service to specialized resources in the province
• help to determine the required legal forms
• offers pamphlets, resources and information tools prepared by various legal organizations
• commissioning of affidavits and notary public services

The Centre does not provide legal advice or legal assistance

COVID-19 (21 Apr 2020): Staff is delivering services remotely. Métis who are in need of help accessing supports are urged to contact the MNO toll free at 1-800-263-4889 or email covidhelp@metisnation.org.

Culturally relevant victim services

• advocacy
• access to cultural supports and community groups and circles to support healing
• referrals to relevant community agencies and programs, and to psychiatrists
• development of a safety plan
• information on local shelters or safe housing options
• assistance with housing applications
• information and assistance regarding court processes and orientation, including the creation and delivery of Victim Impact Statements
• short-term peer support
• workshops on topics such as navigating victim services, identifying warning signs of abuse, court processes, child witnessing, etc

COVID-19 (1 May 2020) Open as usual.

Community-based, volunteer network of local organizations, service providers and community members that represent a variety of sectors

• works to meet the resource and support needs of those affected by human trafficking, including victims, their families and communities
• provides training to service providers to educate them on the indicators of human trafficking so as to develop their ability to identify a victim and know how to respond appropriately

Services:

• referrals
• case management
• training of service providers and community members
• support services

Provides victims with the information they need to have an effective voice in the federal correctional system.

Visit the website for services and information, including:

Register as a Victim

• Registration is not automatic. Victims wishing to receive information must first register with either the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) or the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC). This is to respect those victims who do not wish to receive information about the offender who harmed them.
• To register, complete a Request for Victim Registration form. Because the PBC and CSC jointly coordinate their victim services, victims can submit their completed form to either organization.
• You can also name a representative or agent to act on your behalf by sending a written notice authorizing the representative or agent.

Provide a Victim Statement

• Victims are encouraged to provide a Victim Statement to express the continuing impact of the crime on their lives. The Statement is considered in decision-making throughout the course of the offender's sentence. Note, Victim Statements are different from Victim Impact Statements that you may have submitted as part of sentencing.
• You can submit a statement at any time, which may include:
  • The impact that the crime continues to have on you
  • Your views about the possible conditional release of this offender
  • Asking the Correctional Service of Canada to consider your area of residence when making release plans
  • Requesting that the offender be prevented from communicating with you or your family (known as a no-contact condition) or from going to any specified place (known as a geographic condition).

Victim's Portal

• A simple, secure way to send and receive information online. It allows victims and/or their named representatives to access information they are entitled to, as defined by law, at their convenience.

Making a Complaint

• If you believe your rights under the Canadian Victim Bill of Rights have been infringed, violated or denied, you can make a complaint. Victims also have the right to make a complaint if they believe that their rights have not been respected.

Victim Resources

• A collection of resources for victims of crime.

Contact Informationfor Victim Services (National and Regional Victim Services offices).

COVID-19 (23 June 2020): There are no interruptions to these services.

Alternative to the criminal justice system for the person who has committed a non-violent, minor offense.

The assessment interview is conducted in order to understand the reason(s) why the client committed the offense. This process allows the caseworker to address needs and concerns which led up to the errant behaviour. Single options could be utilized, or in some cases combinations could be used to more efficiently deal with the client's circumstances.

Programs/options include:

• Community Service Work
• Shoplifting Prevention Program
• Restitution
• Letter of Apology/Donation
• Other Referrals

Courthouse chaplaincy program offering support to anyone involved in court proceedings

• court accompaniment
• Positive Lifestyle Program
• spiritual care and emotional support

Provincial Crown Attorney's Office

• prosecutes the vast majority of criminal offences in the Province of Ontario

Support program

• provides direct services to victims of crime across Ontario and funds community organizations that deliver support services to victims

COVID-19 (January 17, 2022): Providing support as usual. Visit their website for additional information.

Confidential call-in support services

• counseling
• information and advice on reporting
• referrals to resources

On-going, lifelong support to parents and survivors of murder victims

• ​see website for information for affected families

Grant providing assistance to eligible parents who suffer a loss of income taking time away from work

• payments are $450 a week, before tax, paid bi-weekly for up to 35 weeks over a period of two years immediately following the incident

COVID-19 (November 10, 2021): Provincial and legal aid offices closed to the public. Services still offered by phone. Visit the website for latest service updates.

Provides eligible clients with a certificate that covers the cost of hiring a lawyer to deal with serious types of civil or criminal cases

• helps with separation and child custody, but not divorce
• lawyers may or may not accept Legal Aid certificates

Services

• criminal legal issues
• domestic violence
• family legal issues
• mental health issues
• refugee and immigration legal issues
• legal clinics

Independent administrative tribunal that has the power to grant, deny, revoke Parole or detain offenders

Provides information to crime victims and their families regarding:

• sentences
• eligibility for release
• review and National Parole Board hearings of federal offenders
• receives victim impact statements and updates

Independent administrative tribunal that has the power to grant, deny, revoke Parole or detain offenders

Provides information to crime victims and their families regarding:

• sentences
• eligibility for release
• review and National Parole Board hearings of federal offenders
• receives victim impact statements and updates

Independent resource for victims

• facilitates access of victims to existing federal programs and services by providing them with information and referrals
• addresses 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
• enhances 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
• identifies emerging issues and exploring systemic issues that impact negatively on victims of crime

If you are a victim of crime, this organization can:

• answer your questions about your rights as a victim
• give you information about the services and programs available to you through the federal government
• receive and review your complaints about other federal government departments, agencies or policies
  refer you to programs and services in your city or province that may be able to help you
• make recommendations to the federal government on how to change its policies or laws to better suit the needs and concerns of victims, and to report on those recommendations publicly

COVID-19 (February 11, 2021): Are booking virtual appointments and will accommodate in-person appointments if required. All clients will be pre-screened prior to in-person appointments. Contact reception@voicefound.ca or call to make an appointment.

Primary and preventative health care clinic designed to care for and support those at risk, those experiencing or those who have been trafficked

Clinic services:

• checkups
• identification, documentation, and treatment for acute and chronic illnesses/injuries
• vaccinations
• annual health screening (pap testing, referrals for mammograms, colonoscopy)
• contraception counselling and administration of contraception
• emergency contraception (Ella, Plan B, Copper IUD)
• sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and treatment
• medical clearance evaluations
• clinical mental health diagnosis and management from a primary care perspective
• referral and collaborative management for concurrent disorders
• case management

Other services:

• training and education
• case management and peer support

Organization that works towards the elimination of oppression experienced by women

• advocates action through cooperation between networks
• adopts action based on a feminist analysis of the social and community situation
• promotes the development of resources for French-speaking women in Ontario
• develops cooperation and communication between the various networks
• offers legal services for Francophone women dealing with violence
• offers online and in-person training for the general public and interveners
• runs awareness campaigns on violence against women

Online clickable map that connects women with the nearest shelter

• provides the shelter's 24 hour phone number and/or website
• provides information on each shelter's pet policy, wheelchair accessibility, availability of children's programming

Information available on:

• creating a safety plan
• how to offer support
• signs of abuse
• list of things to bring when heading to a shelter
• list of emergency phone crisis lines

Non-governmental organization

• recognizes human dignity and promotes the well-being of all trafficked persons, including persons who have been trafficked from other countries, as well as Canadian residents who may have been trafficked within Canada's borders

Advocacy for trafficked persons

• secures the essential services that trafficked persons require to take back control of their bodies and their lives
• networks with other groups to prevent the trafficking of persons and to increase the protection of those who have been trafficked

Information and referrals

• support
• conducts public education and campaigns and provides experienced speakers

Free confidential interpretation service for agencies serving non-English or French-speaking people who are victims or survivors of violence

COVID-19 (26 Mar 2020): Due to COVID19, the centre is physically closed and regular programming is on hold until further notice * staff is still available via email and phone to support clients * free online computer classes available for women: permanent residents, convention refugees, caregivers * to register, contact iskrena@immigrantwomenservices.com or call 613-729-3145

Crisis Intervention and Counselling Service:

• crisis intervention
• short-and long-term counselling
• information, referral and support services
• support to victims of war and trauma
• support and information on various options for pregnant women

Orientation and Adaptation Services:

• needs assessment and information and referral to community and social services
• support with finding housing, child care, registering children in school and health care
• support with finding housing, child care, registering children in school and health care community support through volunteer befriending, conversation circles to practice English or French
• help with connecting to language classes
• workshops to reduce stress of adjusting to Canadian culture

Translation and interpretation services:

• professionally trained interpreters with expertise in health, community and social services: in person, by phone and Video Remote Interpreting (VRI)

Supportive counselling:

• short-term counselling to clients who encounter difficulties in adjusting to life in Canada and assistance in overcoming these challenges

Citizenship Preparation:

• courses, tests and activities to help newcomers prepare for the citizenship test: in class or online.

Employment Counselling and Preparation:

Job search preparation and training:

• developing strong job search strategies and workplace communication skills

Employment counselling:

• resume help, job readiness clinic, employment counselling, skills and career development and help in establishing social and professional networks

Job search workshop held monthly:

• free childcare
• referrals
• computer training

Support services for women who are victims or survivors of violence and/or newcomers and their families:

Support Groups:

• 10-week support group for women survivors of violence
• transportation
• child care
• language interpretation

Children Who Witness Violence Program (in partnership with Family Services à la famille Ottawa) offering:

• support and information to children who witness violence in the home
• individual counselling for childre
• family counselling
• art club for children and mother

Transitional and Housing Support Program for Abused Women

Other Settlement Services:

Language Interpreter Training:

• for culturally diverse women and men who fulfill the requirements for training
• for more information on this program, call the Language Interpretation service

Public education

Training and Outreach:

• Information sessions on Ottawa's diverse community

Anti-oppression training for service providers

Public education sessions on domestic violence for newcomers

Workshops for newcomer immigrant women on parenting in a new culture, legal information, social assistance etc.

Works with service providers and community partners to reach isolated newcomer immigrants and refugee women