TORONTO – The Ontario government is ensuring victims of crime and their families have access to supports when and where they need them. The province is transferring nine victim services programs to the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services from the Ministry of the Attorney General to ensure a more coordinated approach to delivering services such as crisis intervention and violence prevention programs. Having more services in one place will help to strengthen partnerships and connections with community-based supports that focus on the needs of victims.
“We are committed to supporting victims and their families and working with the dedicated victim services providers across the province to make it easier for victims of crime to get the help they need when and where they need it most,” said Jane McKenna, Associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues. “We know having these supports readily and easily available is critical to helping victims of crime heal from their experiences and rebuild their lives.”
While the same front-line services providers will continue to provide seamless supports, the transfer from the Ministry of the Attorney General to the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services will begin with the following three programs effective January 1, 2022:
- Internet Child Exploitation Program
- Victim Support Line / Directory
- Anti- Human Trafficking & Serving Senior Victims of Crime Online Training Initiative
The following six programs will transfer from the Ministry of the Attorney General to the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services effective April 1, 2022:
- Family Court Support Worker
- Support Services for Male Survivors of Sexual Assault
- Supervised Access Program
- Sexual Assault Centres
- Victim Crisis Assistance Ontario
- Victim Quick Response Program+
Court-based programs, including the Victim/Witness Assistance Program, and other legal services will continue to operate with the Ministry of the Attorney General.
The realignment of victim services programs is a result of a comprehensive review and extensive consultations with stakeholders, service providers and victims who identified the need for a government-wide approach to support victims, their families, and witnessess to better address the negative impact crime has on victims and their loved ones, and our communities.
All organizations delivering the transferring programs will continue to receive their full funding and continue to deliver the services as they do now in their communities.