Referrals and Follow-up regarding Victims of Crime (4:XII)

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If you refer the victim to a lawyer, social service agency, or health professional, remember to follow up to ensure that the victim is looked after. A simple phone call to the victim should suffice. Should you need to consult with a professional (for instance, a psychiatrist) about a victim’s ongoing case, you need to have the victim sign a written release form authorizing you to collect information about them, or on their behalf.

A. General Referrals

Crime Victim Assistance Program

P.O. Box 5550 Stn. Terminal       Telephone: (604) 660-3888 (Lower Mainland)
Vancouver, BC V6B 1H1   Toll-Free: 1-866-660-3888
E-mail: cvap@gov.bc.ca

Provides financial assistance and benefits to victims of violent crimes, their immediate family members, and some witnesses to offset the costs of the victimization, and to promote their recovery from the physical and psychological effects of the offence. In situations where the offender represents an ongoing significant risk to the victim’s safety, protective measures such as home alarm systems, security devices, and equipment and other safety measures may be available. In cases involving high-risk victims, the victim and their family may be eligible for relocation expenses where all other safety measures are considered insufficient to address the victim’s safety needs. For a complete list of benefits available, see the CVAP website.


Directory of Victim Service and Violence Against Women Programs in BC A directory for violence against women and victim service programs across BC.


Victim Notification - Victim Safety Unit

302-815 Hornby Street       Telephone: (604) 660-0316 (Lower Mainland)
Vancouver, BC V6Z 2E6   Toll-Free: 1-877-315-8822
E-mail: vsusg@gov.bc.ca

The Victim Safety Unit provides information to victims when the accused or offender is supervised by BC Corrections. Some information may also be provided to persons named in a civil protection order. Victims may be provided with ongoing information about the status of an accused or an offender, including whether or not they are currently in provincial jail, when they may get out of provincial jail, what community they may be in, and what conditions the accused or offender may have to follow. If the offender is under federal jurisdiction (under the supervision of the Correctional Service of Canada or the Parole Board of Canada), the VSU will, upon request, forward the registration form to CSC/PBC. The CSC/PBC will provide victim notification to registered victims directly.


Community Safety and Crime Prevention Branch

Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General       Telephone: (604) 660-5199
302-815 Hornby Street Toll-Free: 1-800-663-7867
Vancouver, BC V6Z 2E6 Fax: (604) 660-1635

As the provincial centre of responsibility for victims’ issues, human trafficking, and crime prevention, the Division develops legislation and policies, provides training, and delivers and funds programs that support victims, address human trafficking, and provide a restorative justice response to crime.


VictimLink BC

E-mail: VictimLinkBC@bc211.ca       Toll-Free: 1-800-563-0808
TTY: (6040 875-0885

VictimLink BC is available 24 hours, seven days a week, and has information about and referrals to a number of support systems that are available to victims of crime. The service is toll-free, confidential, and anonymous.


Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia

700-808 West Hastings Street       Telephone: (604) 660-4444
Vancouver, BC V6C 3L3 Fax: (604) 660-0374
Email: mail@trustee.bc.ca

Provides assistance to adults who need support for financial and personal decision-making and administers estates of deceased persons if there is no one else to do it. They may also administer trust funds on behalf of minors. Service is available in 130 languages.


Victim Justice Network

Email: mail@trustee.bc.ca

An online-based network with links to existing networks and information hubs to promote awareness of services and supports for victims of crime in Canada. They aim to raise awareness, understanding, and support for victims of crime in a society by providing online victim-centred information, resources, and referrals.


Victimsinfo.ca

An online resource for victims and witnesses of crime in BC. The website links several Key Contacts such as the Victims Information Line, Lawyer Referral Service, Youth Against Violence Line, among others.


B. Referrals for Specific Victims

1. Children and youth Victims

Ministry of Child and Family Development

The Helpline for Children: 310-1234 (no area code needed)

To report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect.


After Hours Services

  • Vancouver, North Shore, and Richmond: (604) 660-4927
  • Rest of the Lower Mainland, from Burnaby and Delta to Maple Ridge and Langley: (604) 660-8180
  • Elsewhere in BC: 1-800-663-9122

Refers those in crisis situations to food and emergency housing resources (after office hours and weekends).


Society for Children and Youth of BC (SCY)

303-1720 Grant Street       Telephone: (778) 657-5544
Vancouver, BC V5L 2Y7   Toll-Free: 1-877-462-0037
E-mail: info@scyofbc.org

The Society for Children and Youth of BC (SCY) is a unique provincial organization dedicated to improving the well-being of children and youth in British Columbia. SCY recognizes that adult duty-bearers need to advocate for the rights of children and youth of BC as listed in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in order to improve their well-being.

The SCY operates the Child and Youth Legal Centre (legal advice and representation for children and youth). Contact information is the same as for SCY.

The Child and Youth Legal Centre is committed to improving the well-being of children and youth in British Columbia through the advancement of their legal rights. The role of the Centre is to advocate on behalf of vulnerable children and youth in BC. The Centre provides legal representation, free to those who qualify, for young people who are experiencing problems related to family law, child protection, human rights and many other legal issues. The Centre has two full-time child and youth lawyers. The Centre offers a free drop-in clinic on the first Tuesday of every month at 920 East Hastings Street from 3-6 pm for children and youth aged 9 to 19. Call or visit their website for more details.


General Ministry Inquiries

Telephone: 1-877-387-7027

Email: MCF.info@gov.bc.ca


Provincial Government Referral Service

Victoria: (250) 387-6121

Metro Vancouver: (604) 660-2421

Elsewhere in BC: 1-800-663-7867


2. Other Victims

UBC Life & Career Centre (Formerly the UBC Women's Resources Centre)

UBC Robson Square, 800 Robson Street, Plaza Level, Room 1.400       Telephone: (604) 822-8585
Vancouver, BC V6Z 3B7  

Information and referral, counselling support groups for women, stress management, depression. Abusers may also be referred here.


The Surrey Women's Centre

Telephone: (604) 583-1295

The Surrey Women’s Centre has a mobile assault response team that provides services over the phone and in-person to anyone who has experienced a physical or sexual assault. They are available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You do not have to go to the hospital or make a police report to use their services.


WAVAW

Telephone: (604) 255-6344

Outside lower mainland: 1-877-392-7583

WAVAW provides support services to survivors of sexualized violence who have shared experiences of gender marginalization: cis and trans women, Two-Spirit, trans and/or non-binary people. They advocate for social and systemic change through education, outreach and activism.


British Columbia Society for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse

Telephone (Vancouver): (604) 682-6482

Telephone (Surrey): (778) 222-6885

BC Society for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse aims to provide therapeutic services for males who have been sexually abused at some time in their lives. They provide treatment and support services to survivors and support significant-others and relatives of the survivors as well as educate on material concerning sexual abuse of males.


C. Referrals for Criminal Injuries Outside British Columbia

National Office for Victims

Telephone: 1-866-525-0554

Provides general information for victims and the public, referrals to the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) and the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) for specific enquiries, and works to incorporate a victim’s perspective in national policy development.


Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime


Directory of International Crime Victim Compensation Programs


The following is a list of criminal injury compensation legislation and program contact information for all Canadian provinces. A person who was the victim of a crime of violence that occurred in another province can contact the relevant program to determine whether they qualify for any form of compensation.


A) Other Canadian Provinces and Territories

Alberta: Victims of Crime Act, RSA 2000, c V-3.

Victims of Crime Financial Benefits Program

Alberta Solicitor General and Ministry of Public Security       Telephone: (780) 427-3441
9th Floor, John E. Bronwnlee Building Toll-Free in Alberta: 310-0000
10365-97 Street Outside Alberta: (780) 427-2711
Edmonton, AB T5J 3W7


Manitoba: Victims' Bill of Rights, CCSM c V55.

Compensation for Victims of Crime Program

1410-405 Broadway       Telephone (Winnipeg): 945-0899
Winnipeg, MB R3C 3L6   Toll-Free: 1-800-262-9344

New Brunswick: Victims Services Act, SNB 2016, c 113.

Victims Services Program

Argyle Place       Telephone: (506) 453-3992
P.O. Box 6000 E-mail: DPS-MSP.Information@gnb.ca
Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1


Newfoundland: Victims of Crime Services Act, RSNL 1990, c V-5.

Victims Services Program, Provincial Headquarters

Department of Justice       Telephone: (709) 729-7970
Victim Services Program E-mail: victimservices@gov.nl.ca
4th Floor, East Block, Confederation Building
P.O. Box 8700, St. John's, NL A1B 4J6


Northwest Territories: Victims of Crime Act, RSNWT 1988, c 9.

Government of the Northwest Territories

Department of Justice       Telephone: (867) 873-7500
c/o Public Trustee Office
P.O. Box 1320
Yellowknife, NWT X1A 2L9


Nova Scotia: Victims' Rights and Services Act, SNS 1989, c 14.

Criminal Injuries Compensation Board

Victim Services Division       Telephone: (902) 424-4030
5151 Terminal Road, 3rd Floor E-mail: justweb@gov.ca
P.O. Box 7, Halifax, NS B3J 2L6


Ontario: Victims' Bill of Rights, SO 1995, c 6.

Criminal Injuries Compensation Board

14th Floor, 655 Bay Street       Telephone: (416) 326-2900
Toronto, ON M7A 2A3 Toll-Free: 1-800-372-7463
E-mail: info.cicb@ontario.ca Fax: (416) 326-2883


Victim Notification System (VNS), Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General

Telephone: (416) 314-2447

Toll-Free: 1-888-579-2888


Prince Edward Island: Victims of Crime Act, RSPEI 1988, c V-3.1.

Victim Services


Queens and Kings Counties

Honourable C. R. McQuaid Family Law Centre Telephone: (902) 368-4582
1 Harbourside Access Road Fax: (902) 368-4514
P.O. Box 2000
Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8


Prince County

263 Heather Moise Drive Telephone: (902) 888-8218
Suite 19, 2nd Floor Fax: (902) 888-8410
Summerside, PE C1N 5P1


Quebec: Crime Victims Compensation Act, LRQ c I-6.

Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du travail, Dir. l'indemnisation des Victimes d'actes criminels

1199, Rue Bleury       Telephone: (514) 906-3019
C.P. 6056, Succursale Centre-Ville Toll-Free: 1-800-561-4822
Montreal, QC H3C 4E1 Fax: (514) 906-3029
E-mail: info.ivac.qc.ca


Saskatchewan: Victims of Crime Act, SS 1995, c V-6.011.

Victim Services

610-1874 Scarth Street       Telephone: (306) 787-3500
Regina, SK, S4P 4B3 Toll-Free: 1-800-286-6664
E-mail: victimsservices@gov.sk.ca


Yukon: Crime Prevention and Victim Services Trust Act, RSY 2002, c 49.

Victim Services

E-mail: victim.services@gov.yk.ca


Whitehorse
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