Canada's Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime marks National Victims of Crime Awareness Week

OTTAWA, April 20, 2015 /CNW/ - Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime, Sue O'Sullivan, marks the 10^th National Victims of Crime Awareness Week with a tribute to victims and victim advocates who have helped make the Federal Victims Bill of Rights a reality.

National Victims of Crime Awareness Week (Victims Week) is held each year in April. The goal of Victims Week is to raise awareness about issues facing victims of crime and the services, programs and laws in place to help victims and their families.

Facts

• A National Capital Region Symposium will be held April 20 at the Hilton Lac-Leamy – 3 Boulevard du Casino, Gatineau, Quebec. Visit www.victimsweek.gc.ca for details.
• On April 3rd, 2014, the government tabled the Victims Bill of Rights Act (VBR) that establishes statutory rights at the federal level for victims of crime.
• These include rights to information, protection, participation and restitution, and also provides for a complaint process.
• The Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime helps victims to address their needs and concerns, identifies issues that impact victims of crime and recommends ways that the federal government can make its laws, policies and processes more responsive to victims of crime.

Quotes

• "National Victims of Crime Awareness Week is an important occasion on which to recognize the challenges victims face and the courage with which they face adversity," said Ms. O'Sullivan  "I would like to take this opportunity to recognize all of the victims, advocates and volunteers in Canada who continue to work tirelessly on behalf of victims of crime"
• "This year is particularly significant with the Federal Victims Bill of Rights" said Ms. O'Sullivan. "This change in Canadian law is a good foundation for ensuring that victims are informed, considered, protected and supported, and it has been achieved in large part due to the perseverance and commitment of victims of crime."

Additional links:

• victimsfirst.gc.ca
• victimsweek.gc.ca

SOURCE Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime

Media contact: Bernard Beckhoff, Communications Manager, Tel: [phone], Email: [email protected]