The Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime will continue to intervene on behalf of crime victims to attempt to solve problems they may encounter in their dealings with the criminal justice system. We will also advocate for:

1. Victims’ rights

   An imbalance exists between the protection of rights afforded to those accused or convicted of crime in Canada and those people who are harmed by it. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is silent about persons victimized by crime. Crime victims in Canada must be guaranteed a certain standard of treatment, as per the United Nations Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power (1985) including redress for pain, loss and injury and dignity, respect and participation at all stages of the criminal justice process.

2. Improving the corrections and parole systems in Canada

   There is much to be done to improve the manner in which victims are treated by the corrections and parole authorities in Canada and the information they can access. Among other things, victims should be provided regular updates on the progress of an offender’s rehabilitative efforts; notification of and reasons for prison transfers before they occur and the deportation of offenders from Canada. Statutory Release must be abolished and replaced with Earned Parole, which is a release decided on by the National Parole Board (if and when it is earned by the offender). Keeping with the notion of “earned parole”, legislative amendments are needed to ensure all conditional release decisions for first and second degree murderers are made exclusively by the National Parole Board. Currently, prison wardens can grant escorted temporary absence passes to lifers in a process that does not assess risk as thoroughly as the Board, allows offenders to evade accountability for the harm they have caused and is closed to public scrutiny. The system must also recognize the tremendous emotional toll on victims in facing the person who murdered their loved one in a parole hearing every two years, especially where there have been no significant changes in the case. Parole reviews should take place every 5 years for lifers.

3. Expansion of information for victims

   One of the most important issues for crime victims in their recovery is access to information. Currently, the crime victim’s ability to access the information they want is very limited. Some victims want access to Crown files in cases of plea bargains where there was no trial, but cannot access them. Other victims may want to see pictures from the crime scene, but such information is restricted.

   Crime victims must not be prevented from accessing information about the crime; especially in favour of protecting the privacy rights of the person who harmed them.

4. High-risk offenders

   Public safety must be a priority of government. There is a real danger presented by the release of high-risk offenders who have served their entire sentences, as they remain a risk to commit serious, violent sexual offences against children and others. A mechanism is needed to effective deal with these offenders so that Canadian society is no longer forced to simply open the prison doors and wait for the next victim.

5. Responding to terrorism

   In the post September 11th era, Canada must develop a national system of response to a terrorist incident in the event an attack occurs on Canadian soil or abroad. The response must include comprehensive assistance for victims and survivors to facilitate the normalization of their lives. We believe that legislation is necessary to guarantee all aspects of aftercare for victims, eye witnesses, and first responders, regardless of their nationality.

   The rippling effects of a terrorist attack are significant and inter-generational. Assistance provisions must meet the physical, emotional and financial needs of all Canadians, past and future, who are victimized by terrorism, and therefore should be retroactive.

6. Reducing victimization through crime prevention

   Working with families impacted by homicide and other serious, violent crimes on a daily basis, we see the clear need to reduce violent victimization in Canada. In 2008, crime in Canada cost an estimated $99.6 billion, a majority of which, $68.2 billion or 68%, was borne by the victims. Victim costs include the value of damaged or stolen property, pain and suffering, loss of income and productivity, and healthcare services.

   Reducing criminal victimization must be a national priority. We call for the implementation of crime prevention strategies and social development programs such as: providing enriched, subsidized child care for all citizens; affordable/transitional housing programs; public health nurses to work in at-risk communities, anti-bullying, antiviolence and respect for gender/diversity programs in schools; programs to ensure literacy; protecting children from family violence; after school programs; job training/skills development programs; anti-substance abuse programs in schools; access to mental health and addictions programs for those in need; etc…

7. Creation of a national program for financial assistance for victims of violent crime

   The responsibility of providing financial assistance to persons victimized by violent crime currently rests with the provinces. This system is inequitable because programs do not exist in all of the provinces and territories and where programs do exist, they offer very differing levels of assistance. A national program of financial assistance would create standardized levels of assistance and ensure that all Canadians have equal access to financial support in their recovery and healing following violent victimization.

8. Financial support for non-government organizations who serve crime victims

   Federal funding is needed to allow non-government agencies working to support and empower innocent Canadians harmed by violent crime to continue to operate. Sustaining funding is needed (at the same level as provided to groups working on behalf of criminal offenders) for victim serving organizations in order to allow them to continue offering vital advocacy, support/counselling programs and information resources to their clients.

9. Standing for Victims of Crime

   Victim participation is not a new concept; originally, victims were an integral part of our criminal justice system because they were the ones to bring the prosecution of the offender. The CRCVC believes standing for victims of crime is important because it allows the victim to step out of the witness role and have a role that is more substantial. When their personal interests and safety are affected, they should be able to present their views and concerns, and have the right to legal representation so they are treated with courtesy, dignity, and respect. Victim participation or standing means a victim would be given formal or party status within the criminal court to defend those interests, just as the prosecutor pursues the interests of the state and the defence counsel pursues the interests of the accused.