Village of Kinuso, Alberta , May 1, 2009 Brent Rathgeber, M.P. for Edmonton—St. Albert, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced federal support for underserved victims of crime in Aboriginal communities in Northern Alberta.
“During this National Victims of Crime Awareness Week, our Government reiterates its commitment to ensuring victims of crime have access to the services they need,” said Mr. Rathgeber. “By working with our community partners and Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security, we are helping provide support for victims in Aboriginal communities, many of whom may be unaware of victim services and the help that is available.”
The federal government is providing $300,000 over three years to help enhance its services to underserved victims of crime in the communities served by the St. Paul and Area Victim Services Society and Lesser Slave Lake Indian Regional Council Victim Services. By hiring Aboriginal outreach specialists, area Victim Service Units (VSUs) will be better able to provide timely information, support, and referrals to victims of crime.
"These funds support the work being carried out by Alberta and the St. Paul and Lesser Slave Lake Indian Regional Council Victim Service Units to reach vulnerable victims in remote and Aboriginal communities," said the Honourable Fred Lindsay, Alberta Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security. "It is important that all levels of government continue to work together to ensure that victims of crime have a greater voice and more access to available services."
The funding is being provided through the Victims Fund, which is administered by the Department of Justice Canada. The hiring of Aboriginal outreach specialists contributes to the goals of the Victims Fund by providing direct services to underserved victims of crime, enhancing volunteer recruitment efforts in communities identified to have populations of underserved victims, and improving the cultural relevance of services available to underserved Aboriginal victims.
For more information on the Victims Fund: http://canada.justice.gc.ca/eng/pi/pb-dgp/prog/vf-fv.html
For more information on the Victims Service of Alberta: https://www.solgps.alberta.ca/programs_and_
services/victim_services/Pages/default.aspx
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