Whereas victim services programs provide support and assistance to victims of crime; And whereas the Ministry of Public Safety has the ultimate responsibility for the victim services programs and yet does not fully fund these programs: Therefore be it resolved that the Province of British Columbia fully fund all victim services programs.
Ministry of Public Safety Solicitor General The Government recognizes the devastating impacts of violent crime on women, families and communities. We are committed to creating a province where all communities have the services and supports they need to help prevent violence and work with women to escape from violent situations and recover from the impacts of violence. Currently, the Province provides over 70 million annually in funding for services to support victims of crime including 12.435 million for victim service programs, 16.511 million for violence against women programs, 12.343 million for the Crime Victim Assistance Program and 32 million for transition house services. Current victim service programming includes over 160 Police-Based and Community-Based Victim Service Programs, providing emotional support, information, referrals and practical assistance to victims of crime and trauma across BC. There are 91 Police-Based Victim Service programs and 70 Community-Based Victim Service programs across British Columbia. The Ministry of Pubic Safety and Solicitor General recognizes that service providers for victims of domestic violence, sexual violence and other violent crimes have experienced challenges meeting service demands in communities throughout BC. The Ministry of Pubic Safety and Solicitor General is currently exploring options for strategic investments that will address service demands and build on work already underway to strengthen the services and supports currently provided.