Ontario Awarding Victim Support Grant to York Region

Province supporting victims and survivors of intimate partner violence/domestic violence, human trafficking and child exploitation.

NEWS September 20, 2023

AURORA-OAK RIDGES-RICHMOND HILL —The Ontario government is investing more than $4 million across the province to help support victims and survivors of intimate partner violence/domestic violence, human trafficking, and child exploitation. The funding is being delivered through the Victim Support Grant program and includes $100,000 for York Regional Police.

York Regional Police will work in partnership with the York Region Centre for Community Safety (YRCCS) and the 482 Collective to provide a client-centred, service delivery hub for survivors of intimate partner violence and timely support of essential items such as food, personal hygiene products, and equitable access to wrap-around services (medical, psychological, and dental) at no cost. Funding will also support embedding an officer at YRCCS to ensure equitable police service delivery to racialized victims/survivors, increasing the number of victims/survivors receiving assistance, and a public awareness campaign across York Region.

“This significant investment is vital to the support and protection of victims and survivors.” said Michael Parsa, MPP for Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill. “The funding provided through the Victim Support Grant will help York Regional Police ensure impartial police services to the communities they serve, remove barriers, and enable better supports for survivors across York Region. Every Ontarian deserves to feel safe in their communities, and our government stands with victims as they work to rebuild their lives.”

“Support for victims and survivors is a crucial first step to recovery,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “This important grant is part of our government’s plan to combat violent crime on our streets and ensure that victims are not left behind.”

The Victim Support Grant (VSG) is part of Ontario’s Guns, Gangs and Violence Reduction Strategy and complements the province’s $307 million Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy, 2020-2025 and Combating Human Trafficking Act, 2021.

QUICK FACTS

• All municipal and First Nation police services as well as the Ontario Provincial Police are eligible to apply for funding through the VSG program.

• The VSG can be used for a variety of projects and initiatives, including specialized training for law enforcement, culturally responsive education and awareness campaigns, and purchasing technology and equipment to enhance police investigations and provide survivors with the option to complete interviews remotely.

• Of the 45 projects being funded across the province, 19 will focus on intimate partner violence and domestic violence, five on human trafficking, three on child exploitation, and 18 that will focus on all three areas.

• The Ontario government is investing over $2 million in the Partner Assault Response (PAR) program to help break the cycle of intimate partner violence and keep communities safe. The PAR program provides specialized group education and counselling for people charged with intimate partner violence offences and offers support to current partners of those in the program. This two-year investment is in addition to the more than $2 million given to PAR providers in 2022.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Ontario’s Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy
• Ontario.ca/humantrafficking

Media Contact

Office of MPP Michael Parsa

Email: Michael.Parsaco@pc.ola.org

Hunter Kell

Solicitor General’s Office

Hunter.Kell@ontario.ca