$1.9M to improve access to services for victims of crime on P.E.I.

The federal government has announced $1.9 million for services for victims of crime through the Department of Justice Canada's Victims Fund.

This multi-year funding will help bring about real, positive change to victims of crime in Prince Edward Island.- Sean Casey, Charlottetown MP

It will go towardstwo projects over five years that will help improve access to services for victims of crime in P.E.I.

A news release stated the funding will be used by the P.E.I. Department of Justice and Public Safety to help further promote access and participation of victims in the justice system, and to support implementation of the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights.

"It is important that victims of crime feel that the criminal justice system is fair and working for them,"said Charlottetown MP Sean Casey.

"This multi-year funding will help bring about real, positive change to victims of crime in Prince Edward Island by promoting their participation in the criminal justice system, helping service providers to work more effectively with victims, and making victims of crime and their families more aware of the services available to them."

Funding for 2 projects over 5 years

The Government of Canada is contributing $1,474,300 to a project to develop, implement and enhance programs to respond to the needs of victims of crime.

Some of the funding will be spent oncreating a new victim services position, along with maintaining the two other positions. The workers work directly with victims and provide support for witnesses.

More than $400,000 will go towards a project that will help enforce payment of restitutionand provide child-friendly waiting rooms, interpretation/translation services,and testimonial aids for vulnerable witnesses.A new deputy sheriff position will be created toenforce payment of restitution.

"Providing necessary support to people who have become involved in the criminal justice process as either victims or witnesses contributes to a more effective and relevant criminal justice system for all Canadians," saidMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Jody Wilson-Raybould in a release.

Frontline services

"This is an area, of course, where people need to have information about access to justice, about their rights, and ultimately to prepare them to take part in the criminal justice process in a way that they're well-informed," said Premier WadeMacLauchlan.

When asked if there was any consideration for funding forachild advocate, MacLauchlan said, "Our commitment has been to frontline services and that's exactly what we're doing with the funds that are being made available today."

Having a child advocate in place was one of the recommendations from a jury at an inquest last year.

"It will also ensure that the overall work of our Hub modelof dealing with issues related to vulnerable children is well supported," he said about the funding.

MacLauchlan said the provincial government will also be spending $3 million over the five years to support victims of crime.

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