News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – In recognition of this year’s Victims and Survivors of Crime Week, the following message was issued today by Public Safety Minister Kris Austin:

No one should face the trauma of crime alone. We all understand how crucial it is to support victims of crime as well as to stop crimes from happening in the first place.

Victims and Survivors of Crime Week is an annual federal government outreach initiative led by Justice Canada’s Policy Centre for Victim Issues. It raises awareness about the issues faced by victims and survivors of crime and about the services, assistance and laws in place to help them and their families.

This year’s theme is The Power of Collaboration. Events will be hosted throughout the week, including presentations, workshops and a plenary session.

In New Brunswick, the Department of Justice and Public Safety’s Victim Services program provides support to victims as they become involved with the criminal justice system. Our victim services coordinators work closely with partners within the criminal justice system and in the community, taking a victim-centered approach and ensuring a continuum of services to our clients, including:

• Helping victims understand their rights and how the criminal justice process works.
• Referring eligible victims to counselling by a registered therapist of their choice.
• Supporting victims who are preparing to go to court, particularly vulnerable individuals.
• Offering follow-up services and information after the court process has ended.
• Providing guidance to victims when applying for restitution from the offender. Restitution is a payment that an offender makes to cover their victim’s financial losses as a result of the crime.

More information about the programs available in New Brunswick is available on the Victim Services page.

I am proud of the efforts being made by the department's staff to guarantee that those impacted by crime receive the support they need throughout the criminal justice system.