Victims of Crime Committee

Mandate

Enhance the Canadian police community’s capacity to respond effectively to the protection of victims of crime. Enable dialogue, problem solving and innovation across Canada to address victims’ issues, and to advocate for legislative changes to address the needs of victims.

Objectives

1. Enable dialogue, problem solving and innovation across Canada to address the needs of victims.
2. Gather and promote effective practices.
3. Focus national attention on the needs of victims.
4. Promote systemic response to victims.
5. Advocate for legislative changes to address the needs of victims.

Significant Accomplishments 2017-2018

• Partnered with the OACP and the Ontario Victims of Crime Office (OVC) to explore response models and best practices for investigating sexual assaults in other jurisdictions.
• Provided speaking points to the CACP for media queries on the unfounded sexual assault review. 
• Continued consultation with Public Safety Canada on policies that impact victims of crime and edited a draft pamphlet ‘Preparing for the Release of a Federal Offender’.
• Gathered and shared best practices on topics ranging from third party reporting for sexual assaults to supporting families of homicide victims or missing persons where foul play is suspected. 
• Continued work with the Department of Justice and other parties on the development of a framework for trauma-informed investigations.
• Continued work with the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics to compile data related to the Canada Victims Bill of Rights. 

Initiatives Planned for 2019

• Promote and share best practices nationally on trauma-informed training, why it is important, how it affects memory recall, and interview techniques to improve effectiveness. 
• Continue to support the Victims Bill of Rights, the upcoming review and any recommended amendments.
• Explore hosting a Victims CACP conference.