Ontario Awarding Victim Support Grant to Prescott-Russell

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

News September 20, 2023

Hawkesbury —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 $93,720for OPP- Hawkesbury.

The OPP – Hawkesbury will work with Prescott-Russell Victim Services to enhance access to support victims of human trafficking. The funds would be used for officer and partnership training symposium, focus groups for victims, counselling/therapy for the victims including temporary housing with emergency expenses needed. This will help victims recover and rebuild their lives.

“With this funding, our police services and community partners will work together to help more survivors and at-risk individuals get the supports they need when they need them most,’’ said Glengarry-Prescott-Russell MPP Stéphane Sarrazin. ‘’Intimate partner/domestic violence and human trafficking are heinous crimes that can have devastating impacts. Our government’s plan is to help protect those at risk and survivors.”

“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

Media Contact

Stephany Tessier

Office of MPP Stéphane Sarrazin

stephany.tessier@pc.ola.org

Hunter Kell

Solicitor General’s Office

Hunter.Kell@ontario.ca