Victim Services at CSC

National Victims of Crime Awareness Week (NVCAW) April 26 to May 2, 2009 - Supporting, Connecting, Evolving

I would like to take this opportunity, during National Victims of Crime Awareness Week (April 26 to May 2, 2009), to show my appreciation to you - CSC staff, volunteers, partners and stakeholders - for dedicating your time and energy to helping victims and their families. Your support has helped numerous Canadians find their voice and rebuild their lives.

Although CSC continues to work with offenders to help them with their rehabilitation and reintegration efforts, the culture at CSC is increasingly changing to reflect the needs of victims. In 2007, the National Victim Services Program (NVSP) was launched. This program was established to provide dedicated services to victims by providing full-time staff across Canada, a strengthened management structure, stronger partnerships with governmental and non-governmental agencies, an extensive evaluation structure, and a monitoring process of current and future trends.

Since the implementation of the NVSP, approximately 1,700 additional victims have registered with CSC to receive notification about the offender who harmed them.  In addition, NVSP staff has made approximately 38,000 contacts with registered victims, primarily on offender escorted temporary absences, changes in institutional location, and travel permits.

CSC recognizes that victims of crime come from various backgrounds and have diverse needs, so the Victim Services branch is currently collaborating with the National Office for Victims, the National Parole Board and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to facilitate services for all Canadians.

National Victims of Crime Awareness Week is an opportunity to raise awareness about these initiatives and other programs, services and legislation in place to help victims and their families. We all have a role to play in the justice system and in our communities.

I encourage you to learn more about the services offered to victims by CSC and your community.  For more information about the NVSP, please visit www.csc-scc.gc.ca/victims-victimes . For more information about National Victims of Crime Awareness Week, please visit  www.victimsweek.gc.ca.

Don Head
Commissioner