Inspiration – CRCVC

Inspiring. Brave. Heroic.

Survivor Stories

The stories of crime victims remind us how our lives can be forever changed in a heartbeat. They remind us why we must continue to stand beside them during their search for healing and justice.

I Wear Something of Hers Every Single Day – Sherryl’s Story

“Christina had a big heart,” says her mother, Sherryl Fraser. “She would buy homeless people food from McDonald’s. She had a presence about her. She was a great listener. Christina had this gift of being able to counsel people.” Her gift was taken away on Easter Sunday morning in March 2016 when Christina Voelzing was

I Heard the Shot – Donna’s Story

Donna and her husband Sedrick relocated from Ottawa to Jamaica, Sedrick’s homeland, intending to establish a business together. This decision provoked a violent response from others in the community. Two men arrived at their residence to confront Sedrick. Donna quickly retrieved her phone and took refuge in the bathroom adjoining their bedroom while her husband

Look for the Hope – An Aunt’s Story

The facts: A seven year-old girl was sexually abused and filmed by her mother’s boyfriend and others who responded to an online ad entitled “incest daughter”. Five people were charged and found guilty. The charges against the girl’s mother were stayed. Out of the love of her niece and the search for justice, the aunt

He Did Not Deserve to Die the Way He Did – Ashton’s Story

On June 26, 2017, a tragic event devastated a family when 25-year-old Ashton James Dickson was fatally shot outside an Ottawa bar. His father describes Ashton as “a wonderful man, a superior athlete, and loving friend” who possessed strong personal values and treated others with kindness. Ashton was a talented football player pursuing professional dreams

From Victim to Supporting Victims – Susheel’s Story

Delivering newspapers in Etobicoke was Susheel Gupta’s very first job. He was 12. On Sunday, June 23, 1985, Susheel’s life and the lives of his father and brother changed forever. Susheel’s mother, Ramwati, was one of the 329 souls aboard Air India flight 182 when it exploded in mid-Air off the coast of Ireland. Ramwati

She Stole My Heart, Then She Stole My Money – Doug’s Story

Doug met someone online in 2004 whom he believed to be his ideal partner. As someone living with cerebral palsy who deeply desired marriage and family, he was emotionally vulnerable. The woman, an escort named Darquise, earned his confidence by professing love. Targeting his vulnerability and recent grief, Darquise convinced Doug she wanted to leave

Our Achievements

Successes

The CRCVC works to advance victims’ rights in a number of areas, influencing several positive legislative reforms and important policy changes affecting crime victims.

Financial Assistance for Victims to Attend Parole Board Hearings & the Creation of a National Office for Victims

As of November 1, 2005, victims of crime in Canada will now be able to apply for financial assistance to attend the Parole Board of Canada hearings of the offender who harmed them. In addition, a new National Office for Victims has been established to provide information and support to victims. The CRCVC pushed for

Passage of Bill C-13, Legislation to Strengthen the DNA Data Bank

Amidst parliamentary chaos in May 2000, the CRCVC, along with the help of three women who have suffered incredible loss, successfully pushed Bill C-13 through the House of Commons and the Senate. The amendments to the legislation will allow courts to make DNA data bank orders for a much wider range of offences – potentially,

Expansion of Information Provided to Victims

The CRCVC has voiced the need for an expansion of the type of information provided to victims of offenders serving federal sentences. Information about programming (or lack thereof) will allow victims to better judge the risk an offender may still present to them if any. Advance notifications of transfers, reasons behind transfers, and access to

Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime

On April 23, 2007, former CRCVC President Steve Sullivan was named Canada’s first Ombudsman for crime victims, a position and office the CRCVC long called for. The Ombudsman is responsible for helping victims tap into existing federal programs for crime victims, promote the needs of victims within the justice system and government, review complaints and

Financial Assistance for Canadians Victimized Abroad

Following interventions with a number of Canadians impacted by terrorism and mass violence outside of Canada, CRCVC voiced the need to develop specialized consular training to better serve crime victims and create a program at the federal level to provide financial assistance to Canadians who are victimized outside of Canada. On April 1, 2007, a

Legislative Changes

The CRCVC has been involved in work to bring about numerous recent pieces of legislation in Canada, including: Amendments to the CCRA under The Safe Streets and Communities Act including enshrining victim participation in conditional release board hearings, and keeping victims better informed about the behaviour and handling of offenders; Federal income support for parents

Inspiring. Brave. Heroic.

Survivor Stories

Our Achievements

Successes

Newsletter Signup

Support Victims