Victim services strengthened in the north

Nipissing MPP Monique Smith
News Release

********************

Several police services and local not-for-profit victim service agencies in northern Ontario have received grants to enhance the monitoring and tracking of high-risk offenders and improve victim services in their communities.

The Victim Safety Project (VSP) is a province-wide, joint initiative between the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services and the Ministry of the Attorney General. Grants are available to municipal and First Nations police services that are partnering with not-for-profit, community-based victim service agencies.

In North Bay, the Victim Crisis Assistance and Referral Service Near North has received a grant in the amount of $90,030 for their project. The funding will be used to hire a victim notification and safety coordinator to work with community agencies in addressing victim needs when an offender has entered the justice system. The project will also coordinate and integrate safety assessments for victims. Near North VCARS is partnered with the North Bay Police Service.

VSP will invest just over $2.8 million on 26 projects to enhance victim services where gaps in victim safety have been identified, including approximately $756,000 for six projects in the north. All projects will be completed by July 31, 2010. Funding for VSP comes from fine surcharges, including traffic violations, imposed under the Provincial Offences Act and Criminal Code of Canada.

“This grant is important to our community. Near North VCARS does a great job in helping victims in our area, and this project will continue to address victims' needs,” said Nipissing MPP, Monique Smith.‬

"The local projects funded through the Victim Safety Project grants will provide significant services to victims of violent crime who are at greatest risk, including victims of sexual offences and domestic violence. This program will help to improve victim safety through innovative solutions developed in communities across the province," said Attorney General Chris Bentley.

“This grant opportunity is certainly indicative of the McGuinty Government’s support of, and commitment to, victims of crime and victim’s issues and the safety of the citizens of North Bay. Near North VCARS has partnered with the North Bay Police Service and have recently hired a Project Manager to oversee the Bail Notification Project. While the program is in its infancy we are working with our community partners and stakeholders to get the project rolling out fully in the next couple of months,” said Carolyn Couchie, Executive Director of Victim Crisis Assistance Referral Service Near North.

“Thanks to the efforts of VCARS volunteers our officers are able to concentrate on their front line policing duties and the investigation process knowing that VCARS will be tending to and caring for the needs of victims,” said Paul Cook, Chief of Police for North Bay Police Service. “This newly established Victim Safety Project will increase the capacity for the local VCARS program to meet the needs of victims in our community.”

QUICK FACTS

 The social cost of violent crime is high. Estimated economic costs of violence against women to health, criminal justice, social services and lost productivity range in the billions of dollars.

 Children who witness or suffer domestic abuse are more likely to grow up and become abusers themselves.

 Electronic monitoring enhances community safety by allowing staff to better monitor offenders’ compliance with curfew and house arrest conditions, and by holding offenders more accountable for their actions.

********************