London, September 25, 2013 – Today, on behalf of the Honourable Peter MacKay, P.C., Q.C., M.P., Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Susan Truppe, Parliamentary Secretary for Status of Women and Member of Parliament for London North Centre, announced $191,000 in funding for the Sexual Assault Centre London.
“The Government is committed to advancing the interests of victims of crime,” said Parliamentary Secretary Truppe. “This funding will directly benefit survivors of sexual violence by helping the Sexual Assault Centre London and other service providers in the London and Middlesex area create a more responsive system that is able to effectively meet individual needs.”
The Sexual Assault Centre London has been working to support survivors of sexual violence and to change attitudes about sexual violence for more than 30 years. The funding will be used by the Centre to develop innovative tools that will promote more effective use of the existing services to help victims of crime. These tools will include a new coordination and learning network, as well as a peer support program for victims of sexual violence.
The funding is being provided through the Victims Fund administered by the Department of Justice Canada. The Victims Fund is a grants and contributions program that provides funding to provinces, territories and non-governmental organizations whose projects, activities and services support the objectives of the Federal Victims Strategy.
The Government of Canada is building on past measures to further advance the interests of victims, including:
- Designating more than $120 million since 2006 to give victims a more effective voice through initiatives delivered by the Department of Justice Canada;
- Providing for $10.25 million for new or enhanced Child Advocacy Centres since 2010 to address the needs of child and youth victims of crime;
- Creating the Federal Victims Strategy in 2007 and its permanent renewal in 2011;
- Establishing the Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime in 2007;
- Introducing legislation to double the victims' surcharge and make it mandatory; and
- Eliminating the faint-hope clause, which allowed murderers to obtain early parole.
This funding announcement is in keeping with the Government's Plan for Safe Streets and Communities, one of four priorities identified by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in January 2013. This plan focuses on holding violent criminals accountable, enhancing the rights of victims, and increasing the efficiency of our justice system.
-30-
Ref.:
- Paloma Aguilar
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Justice
613-992-4621
- Media Relations
Department of Justice
613-957-4207
Follow Department of Justice Canada on Twitter (@JusticeCanadaEn), join us on Facebook or visit our YouTube channel.
