The 2009 Statistics Canada survey of adults in Canada showed that an abysmal 31% of victims were reporting crime to the police.  In 2004, the same survey showed only 8% of sexual assault victims reporting crime to police.

In 2009, the retiring Chief Justice of Ontario and one of the father´s of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms recommended that police in Ontario inform victims of services and programs because international standards require it and because it will help victims get restitution and compensation.  He also recommended measuring whether victims were receiving the services and programs through social science surveys.  But nothing happened! (http://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/about/pubs/mcmurtry/mcmurtry_report.pdf)

In 2007, the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the US Office for Victims of Crime developed a package for police leaders to enhance the response of law enforcement to victims of crime.  Canadian police leadership have been active in the IACP since its founding.  This IACP package called for social science surveys to measure whether victims need were being met – like retired Chief Justice McMurtry.

Let´s get the Federal government to change the RCMP act and work with the Provincial governments and municipalities to help our police officers do what they want to do and make crime victims aware of services and programs that can help them.

Here is the tweet from the California Criminal Injuries Compensation that was retweeted to me by the Canada Resource Centre for Victims of Crime.  “Law enforcement officers don’t just read criminals their rights: they tell crime victims about theirs under Marsy’s Law. #PoliceWeek”

PS Marsy´s law, the IACP proposals and ways to gender the police response to victims of violence against women are all discussed in my book Rights for Victims of Crime.

Irvin Waller, Ph.D.
President, International Organization for Victim Assistance
Full Professor, University of Ottawa
www.irvinwaller.org | www.iovahelp.org | @IrvinWaller

At the federal symposium in Ottawa on April 23rd, Justice Minister Rob Nicholson announced that the government will increase funding to the Victim’s Fund by $7 million over five years, $5 million of which will be directed to the creation and enhancement of Child Advocacy Centres across Canada. Minister Nicholson also announced that the government has amended the terms and conditions of the Victims Fund to allow non-governmental groups serving victims to apply for time-limited operational funding, which is superb news for organizations like the CRCVC.

On April 24, the Minister of Justice announced the introduction of an act to amend the Criminal Code (victim surcharge). The amendment will make convicted offenders more accountable to victims of crime by doubling the victim surcharge that offenders must pay, and ensuring that the surcharge is automatically applied in all cases. This recommendation was made by Steve Sullivan when he served as Canada’s first Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime.

On April 26, the federal government announced that it will provide $350,000 to establish a Child Advocacy Centre in Halifax. In addition, the Government will contribute more than $2 million in funding to the provincial government for programs to support victims of crime across Nova Scotia.

Victims Week 2012 was incredibly successful and encompassed more than 160 events and projects held in all the provinces and territories, with a federal government investment of more than $1.4 million.

CONFERENCE & WORKSHOP

When: Tuesday April 24, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where: The Toronto Police Training College, Toronto, Ontario

A one-day conference highlighting new and emerging approaches that support adult victims of child sexual abuse.  See event poster for speakers and cost.

Victims Who Choose to Become Advocates: Moving Forward and Healing One’s Self

When: Wednesday, April 25, 2012, 7:00 – 9:30 pm
Where: Council Chambers, Mission Municipal Hall
8645 Stave Lake St, Mission, British Columbia, Canada

This forum will feature Marjean Fichtenberg and Ray King, both of whom lost children to homicide. Marjean’s son, Dennis, was murdered in 1993 by a parolee named Paul Butler. Ray King’s son Ray Jr. was murdered in 1981 by Clifford Olson. Both Marjean and Ray will share their personal journeys towards healing and how advocating for other victims has affected their understanding of “moving forward.”

• What does it take to “get on with your life” in the aftermath of losing a child or someone very dear to homicide?
• How does a victim who has suffered such a devastating loss move forward?
• How would a victim know if they are “moving forward” or not?

CONTACT: Sherry Edmunds-Flett 604-852-551 seflett@telus.net

“Canada’s justice system is far too offender-centric and it’s time to ‘shift the conversation’ to ensure victims are treated more fairly”, Canada’s new ombudsman for victims of crime, Sue O’Sullivan said in her first report.

“Right now, the imbalance between the rights of offenders and the rights of victims are very stark in this country… Despite all the good intentions, the conversations about victims have been focused for the most part on offender-related issues and we think it’s time to tackle this head on.”

Read more at http://www.victimsfirst.gc.ca/media/news-nouv/index.html also http://t.co/VOxEGqea

Speakers

Margot Van Sluytman is an awarding winning poet, author, publisher and international speaker, whose father was murdered when she was an adolescent.  Her books include, Sawbonna: I See You, her real life story from murder to meaning, and The Other Inmate:  Mediating Justice – Mediating Hope.  She has shared the stage with Sr. Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking, who enthusiastically supports Margot’s vision.

Glen Flett, the man who committed the murder was in trouble with the law since he was a child, and spent 23 years behind bars.  He is now the founder and co-facilitator of L.I.N.C. (Long-term Inmates Now in the Community). Glen believes strongly in, and presents internationally on the concept of restorative justice with its empowerment of victims and ultimate goal of a safer community for all.

A 90 minute film, Sins of My Father, has been made about Sebastián Marroquín, the son of Pablo Escobar, the famed Colombian drug lord.  It tells the story of his journey to healing through reconciliation with the sons of a man whom his father killed.  The film will be shown the evening of April 26.

Registration
Conference including lunch and film April 26:   $260

Early bird rate before March 1:  $235

Group rate for 5 or more before March 1: $225

April 26, evening and film: $30

 Call 403-210-2802 to register or go to www.spiritualdirections.com/conference

Upcoming support groups in Vancouver:
8-week Homicide Bereavement Support Group
(Saturday mornings starting Feb 4 – March 31, 2012)

Monthly Drop-In Support Group
(starting April, 2012)

These self-help, peer support, non-therapy groups are cost-free and facilitated by trained professionals. Saturday morning sessions will provide:

• A safe, non-judgmental, compassionate environment with time for sharing stories and insights.
• Essential grief and mourning survival tools.
• Practical support and information as well as valuable community connections.

No-cost although pre-registration is required as space is limited.  For inquiries and to register, please contact: Helpline: 604-738-9950 Toll Free: 1-877-779-2223 (BC)

Victim Services of York Region and Remember Me Homicide Support Group in partnership with York Region Police is pleased to offer an afternoon symposium to heighten the awareness surrounding rights for victims of crime.

Guest Speaker: Doctor Irvin Waller, A passionate champion of victims’ rights, Irvin Waller is an author and university professor who is internationally sought after as an expert and speaker on stopping crime.

When: Friday February 10th 2012 1.30pm to 4pm

Where: Central Services Building (CSB)
147 Don Hillock Drive, Aurora L4G 7C6

RSVP: Kelly Cetnarski @ 8355@yrp.ca or SueMassey13@gmail.com

LIMITED SEATING IS AVAILABLE
Registration closes February 3, 2012 

This event is provided free of charge. Victims, survivors, police and community partners are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be provided.