Provincial Government Announces Five Victim Safety Projects

Ontario - Several police services and local not-for-profit victim service agencies in western 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.

VSP will invest just over $2.8 million on 26 projects to enhance victim services where gaps in victim safety have been identified, including $475,900 for five projects in western Ontario. 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.

"These initiatives address the need for victims of crime and domestic abuse to feel secure in their homes and protected in their communities," said Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister Rick Bartolucci.

"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.

“I am pleased to announce that Victim Services of Waterloo Region has received a grant of $57,500.00 from the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services Victims’ Safety Project (VSP).” said Leeanna Pendergast, MPP for Kitchener- Conestoga.

“We are very pleased to be the recipient of funds under the Victim Safety Project Grant that partners Victim Services of Waterloo Region, Waterloo Regional Police and the Office of the Crown Attorney.” said Kimberley Clark of Victim Services of Waterloo Region. “The funds will enhance the already established efforts within the Region of Waterloo and create new programs and processes to ensure the safety of victims of violent crime.”

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.