Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It has come to my attention that the funding for the Victim Impact Services Outreach Program in Inuvik and Paulatuk may no longer have enough to cover services in Sachs Harbour, Ulukhaktok, Tuktoyaktuk and Aklavik. I understand that the way the services are delivered are under review by the Department of Justice, and the federal funding will end March 31st.
In July 2010 the Inuvik office hired staff to provide outreach and support. It was apparently a pilot project. The funding is running out.
Most communities in the Northwest Territories have little or no local support for people dealing with traumatic experiences related to criminal offences, In many cases, victims are left to cope with their trauma alone.
At the same time, they often have to deal with the complicated legal system. This puts tremendous pressure on the people who are already suffering and have done no wrong. This is unacceptable.
The Inuvik outreach office receives referrals from victims of crime, mainly by the RCMP, but sometimes from health centres, counselling services and other services as well. Through victims outreach, people get to complete the impact statements for court. These are read in court when the accused is found guilty. This gives the victim a service, a voice that they otherwise would not have.
Staff at the outreach office also assists victims with their applications for victims of crime emergency funding. If they need immediate help, they can cover such expenses as broken exterior doors, locks, windows, so that they can return to their home and feel safe. When they have been hurt, little things like getting their glasses fixed and getting groceries and having diapers for your kids can make a real difference.
In many measures, the emotional support of outreach staff provides victims and families a third party and impartial support that can even include court with the victim, if it’s requested.
The Victim Services Outreach Program provides administrative and emotional support for people who really need it. After the crime is committed in remote communities, when they need help, they have nowhere else to go and it would be a huge loss of service if this was cut off.
I will have questions for the Premier at the appropriate time.
