Ontario. Ministry of the Attorney General

Victim / Witness Assistance Program


Description

Information and assistance to support participation in and understanding of the criminal court process. Services begin once police have laid charges and continue until the court case is over. Services include:

  • information about victims' rights, the criminal justice process and their specific case (e.g., court dates)
  • needs assessment and referrals to community agencies
  • crisis intervention, emotional support, victim advocacy
  • facilitates victim's input and liaises with Crown Attorneys, police, regarding bail, safety, resolution of charges, release conditions, publication bans, testimonial aids, trial preparation and court orientation
  • information and support on Victim Impact Statements, Statement on Restitution
  • facilitates access to court orders, such as bail conditions, probation orders, peace bonds
  • debriefing and follow-up support

Vulnerable Victims and Family Fund (VVFF) - Helps support victims of violent crime, families of homicide victims and families of motor vehicle fatalities participate more fully in the criminal court process by providing financial assistance and court-based supports for: travel to attend key court dates​

  • language interpretation services
  • special accommodations for victims with disabilities, such as real-time captioning
  • basic necessities for victims of human trafficking or gun and gang violence while attending for court
Eligibility
Victims and witnesses of:
  • Intimate partner violence
  • Child physical and sexual abuse
  • Sexual assault (including historical sexual assault and human trafficking)

  • Families of motor vehicle fatalities
  • Families of homicide victims
  • Elderly victims
  • Victims with disabilities
  • Victims of hate crime



  • Vulnerable Victims and Family Fund - Eligibility determined on case-by-case basis
    Application Process
    Referral by police, Crown Attorney, community agency, or self-referral.

    To access supports, the proceedings must take place at a court in Ontario and applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria depending on the type of support requested
    Toll Free
    1-877-377-8370
    Office
    613-545-2455
    Fax
    613-545-9178
    TTY
    1-866-611-5233
    Web Site
    http://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/
    Mailing Address
    279 Wellington St
    Kingston, ON, K7K 6E1
    Canada
    Languages
    English, French, Interpretive Services - can be arranged
    Contact
    Angela Faulkner , Administrative Assistant
    Victim Witness Services Workers
    Sharon Ansell, Jeanette Melo, Anne Vincent, Krista Manion, Michele Arsenault
    Fees
    None
    Accessibility
    Fully Accessible
    Topic(s)
    Agency Information
    View Agency Profile
    Copyright
    Community Navigation of Eastern Ontario / Navigation communautaire de l’Est ontarien
    Last Verified On
    November 26, 2024
    Address
    279 Wellington St
    Kingston, ON, K7K 6E1
    • Cross street: Wellington St and Queen St
    • downtown Kingston
    • inside the Court

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    Hours of Operation
    Not specified
    Service Area(s)
    • Frontenac County
    • Kingston