Victims Fund Boosts Support for BC Services

The Government of Canada is providing approximately $50 million annually in project‑based funding to support initiatives that enhance services for victims of crime and their families. This funding supports projects and activities that encourage the development of new approaches, promote access to justice, improve the capacity of service providers, foster referral networks, and increase awareness of available supports.

Projects and funding amounts for all finalized agreements are published on Grants and Contributions (canada.ca).

Through the Federal Victims Strategy's Victims Fund, the Government of Canada is providing $3.375 million in funding over five years (2026 to 2031) to the Province of British Columbia to support and enhance services for victims in that province. In addition, another $500,000 in funding over two years (2025 to 2027) will support victims and potential victims of extortion in the British Columbia lower mainland, particularly in Abbotsford and Surrey within the South Asian community.

Child Advocacy Centres (CACs)

In British Columbia, 13 Child Advocacy Centres (CACs) and Child and Youth Advocacy Centres (CYACs) projects are currently being supported. These projects represent a total investment of $8,230,760, with all funding agreements in place through to the 2027-28 fiscal year.

• The Archway Society for Domestic Peace is ensuring the continuation of service and delivery of the multi-disciplinary team response when children and youth have experienced abuse or violence through having adequate staffing levels in place.
• The Carrier Sekani Family Services Society is providing multidisciplinary services to address the needs of child and youth victims and/or witnesses as they navigate the criminal justice system, thereby minimizing system-induced trauma by providing a single, child-friendly setting for young victims or witnesses and their families seeking services.
• The Cowichan Women Against Violence Society is providing multidisciplinary service to address the needs of child and youth victims and/or witnesses as the navigate the criminal justice system, thereby minimizing system-induced trauma by providing a single, child-friendly setting for young victims or witnesses and their families seeking services.
• The Centre for Child Development of the Lower Mainland is providing child-focused, multi-disciplinary services and support to children, youth, and their families in cases where abuse is suspected using trauma-informed best practices.
• The Child Advocacy Centre of Kelowna Society is addressing the needs of child and youth victims and/or witnesses as they navigate the criminal justice system, thereby minimizing system-induced trauma by providing a single, child-friendly setting for young victims or witnesses and their families seeking services.
• The Big Bear Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (Society) is providing a multi-disciplinary response to cases of alleged child maltreatment for Kamloops and surrounding areas. Other project activities will include training for the multi-disciplinary team.
• Chilliwack Community Services is providing multidisciplinary services to address the needs of child and youth victims and/or witnesses as they navigate the criminal justice system, thereby minimizing system-induced trauma by providing a single, child-friendly setting for young victims or witnesses and their families seeking services.
• Kootenay Boundary Community Services Co‑operative is providing a coordinated response to children and youth who are victims of abuse through forensic interviews by police and child protection; consistent advocacy and support to families throughout the entire process and regular multi-disciplinary team case review meetings.
• Maple Ridge / Pitt Meadows Community Services is providing a comfortable and safe child-friendly environment for children and youth who are victims of abuse and help them navigate the criminal justice system.
• The Child Abuse Prevention and Counselling Society of Greater Victoria is providing trauma informed, culturally sensitive services to children and youth who are victims of abuse in a child centered environment and continue to engage and sustain relationships with all related community partners via the multidisciplinary team model.
• The Encompass Support Services Society is providing multidisciplinary services to address the needs of child and youth victims and/or witnesses as they navigate the criminal justice system, thereby minimizing system-induced trauma by providing a single, child-friendly setting for young victims or witnesses and their families seeking services.
• The Treehouse Advocacy Centre Society is focusing on the continued provision of wrap-around, holistic care service delivery and child-focused, trauma-informed collaborative response to child abuse, designed to facilitate powerful positive experiences for children and their families.
• The British Columbia Network of Child & Youth Advocacy Centres Society is developing and strengthening the BC Network of Child and Youth Advocacy Centres. The main activities include support for centres, continued work on best practices and an Indigenous Services Framework, and continued evaluation and improvement of practice.

Human Trafficking

In British Columbia, one project is currently being supported through the Supports and Services for Victims and Survivors of Human Trafficking stream. This project represents a total investment of $450,000 in funding over three fiscal years (2026-2027 to 2028-2029).

• The New Opportunities for Women (NOW) Canada Society is offering a program for victims and survivors of human trafficking, sexual exploitation, abuse and addictions that offers immediate safe and supported housing, a four-month life-skills program and individualized case planning and client support.

Family Information Liaison Unit (FILU)

The British Columbia FILU has been approved for a total investment of $4,167,576 over 5 years (2025-30).

• The Government of British Columbia's FILU is continuing to provide coordination of information for families of missing and murdered Indigenous people. The FILU will approach this work in a trauma-informed and culturally safe manner, ensuring FILU staff have the necessary cultural competencies, experience, skills and knowledge.

Community Support and Healing for Families

In British Columbia, seven Community Supports and Healing for Families projects are currently being supported. These projects represent a total investment of $4,907,105 with all funding agreements in place through to the 2027-28 fiscal year.

• The Yeqox Nilin Justice Society is providing traditional support services to families living in Williams Lake and rural Tŝilhqotin communities who have been affected by the loss of missing and murdered members.
• The Cowichan Tribes is providing culturally-grounded, community-based supports and services to Indigenous victims and family members of missing and murdered Indigenous men and boys.
• The Vancouver Aboriginal Community Policing Centre Society is providing training in cultural land-based tools designed to aid survivors of direct and complex inter-generational trauma, specifically the families of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGTBQI+ people.
• The Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association is providing group trauma-informed and culturally appropriate and safe wrap around services that will include traditional healing, teachings and ceremony.
• The Tahltan Band is providing comprehensive support to families of missing and murdered Indigenous people through a holistic framework that honors Indigenous wisdom.
• The Dze L K'ant Friendship Centre Society is providing a diverse range of trauma informed by-Indigenous-for-Indigenous services to individuals and families directly impacted by victimization and the loss of Indigenous women, girls, men, boys and 2SLGBTQI+ peoples.
• Pacific Association of First Nations' Women is providing culturally responsive trauma informed community-based services for families of missing and murdered Indigenous people in the greater Vancouver area.

Sexual Assault

In British Columbia, three Sexual Assault projects are currently being supported. These projects represent a total investment of $685,861 with all funding agreements in place through to the 2026-27 fiscal year.

• Pacific Centre Family Services Association is providing support for youth who are victims of sexual exploitation and assault. They will connect youth survivors to resources in the community as needed, including Victim Services for court preparation and support.
• Kamloops Sexual Assault Counselling Centre Society has hired a Justice Advocate to support victims of sexual violence at individual, community, and systems levels. The Justice Advocate will develop tailored resources for victims accessing the justice system.
• Kaslo Community Services Society is providing coordinated services for local and regional service providers to respond to sexual assault disclosures within 72 hours. The services include trauma-informed information, emotional support, safety planning, transportation to emergency health services, and training for service providers.

Restorative Justice

In British Columbia, two Restorative Justice projects are currently being supported. These projects represent a total investment of $592,475 with all funding agreements in place through to the 2026-27 fiscal year.

• Victoria Restorative Justice Society is increasing voice, choice, support, and access to victim-centered Restorative Justice services for victims referred to Restorative Justice Victoria.
• Fraser Region Community Justice Initiatives Association is creating an entirely new avenue for victims of crime transiting the Criminal Justice System providing a degree of choice, voice and agency unmatched, historically, in Canada to date; an alternative to traditional, adversarial court room processes.

Indigenous Victims - Supporting Indigenous Victims of Crime

In British Columbia, there are seven projects under Supporting Indigenous Victims of Crime Initiative. These projects represent a total investment of $6,243,246. One project is in place until 2029, while six are in place until 2030.

• The Hiiye'yu Lelum (House of Friendship) Society is helping improve access to justice and strengthening the support system for victims of crime, particularly focusing on the vulnerable peoples experiencing violence including the 2SLGBTQI+ community, human-trafficking and those impacted by the missing and murdered Indigenous community members.
• The Squamish Indian Band #55 (Squamish Nation) is providing cultural interventions and healing opportunities for victims of crime. It will include inter-departmental coordination, while raising awareness among victims and their rights, and providing information and advocacy to navigate the justice system.
• The Vancouver Venture for Diversity Society is providing specialized healing services and support to Indigenous foster children and youth in care who have been victims of violence and crime.
• The Vancouver Aboriginal Transformative Justice Services Society is providing Indigenous victims with one-to-one survivor-centered support with enhanced services, focusing on stabilization, creating an action plan and enabling the victim to find their voice.
• The Tl'etinqox Government is providing comprehensive support to Indigenous victims of crime, with a particular focus on on-reserve communities. It promotes resilience and healing among Indigenous victims through culturally relevant support services and includes community collaboration, cultural reclamation and accessibility.
• The Encompass Support Services Society enhances culturally safe services within the Langley Child and Youth Advocacy Centre and the Langley Sexual Assault Services programs by hiring an Indigenous Advocate.
• The Kwadacha Nation is providing participants with a holistic, restorative and community-led healing experience rooted in Sekani traditions and values.

Hate Crimes

In British Columbia, there is one project under Hate Crimes. This project represents a total investment of $95,000.

• The Ministry of Attorney General, British Columbia Prosecution Service developing a handbook for criminal justice practitioners on hate crimes. This project will better equip prosecutors in assessing and prosecuting hate crime files including files in which hate is an aggravating factor in the offence.

Victims and Survivors of Crime Week funding for organizations in British Columbia

As part of Victims and Survivors of Crime Week, the Government of Canada funds organizations for events or activities that raise awareness about issues facing victims and survivors of crime. This includes assistance available to victims, survivors and their loved ones. The events and activities may include workshops, training sessions and educational outreach campaigns.

Visit the Event Map for Victims and Survivors of Crime Week 2026