The government of Ontario announced new funds to support victims and survivors of crime by providing Victim Services Niagara and the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) with nearly $400,000 in new funding through the Victim Support Grant Program.
Categories of crime that were specifically highlighted by the province as areas of focus include intimate partner violence, domestic violence, and human trafficking. The funding is meant to support both Victim Services Niagara and the NRPS in continuing to provide educational and awareness-building activities, in addition to updated training and survivor-centered care related to human trafficking incidents.
“This funding directly strengthens our ability to stand with victims and survivors when they need us most,” said Chief Bill Fordy. “Through our partnership with Victim Services Niagara, we are ensuring that individuals impacted by human trafficking, imitate partner violence and gender-based violence receive support that is compassionate, trauma-informed and focused on dignity.”
“Protecting the most vulnerable members of our community from those who seek to exploit or harm them is a responsibility we take seriously,” added Fordy. “Policing is not only about enforcement – it is about prevention and showing up for victims and survivors when they need support the most.”
The Executive Director of Victim Services Niagara, Tarryn Dungey, also released a statement regarding the provincial funding announcement.
“This funding enables Victim Services Niagara to hire a dedicated subject matter expert to work in collaboration with the Human Trafficking Unit of the Niagara Police Service, further strengthening our partnership,” said Dungey. “By enhancing our collaborative approach and integrating a non-police advocate into the response model, we are better positioned to meet the complex needs of survivors.”
“This initiative will help reduce barriers to accessing support services by providing survivor centered, wraparound supports and trauma-informed options.”
Local MPP Sam Oosterhoff touted the province’s investment as well.
“This funding is another step our government is taking to build safer communities and protect victims and survivors of crime,” said Oosterhoff. “As an advocate in the fight against human trafficking, I welcome this critical funding for Victim Services Niagara and the Niagara Regional Police Service as they provide victims with support, information and community referrals.”
The Victim Support Grant Program is part of Ontario’s Guns, Gangs and Violence Reduction Strategy and works hand in hand with the government’s Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy and Combating Human Trafficking Act, 2021.
Jay Goldberg is the Canadian Affairs Manager at the Consumer Choice Center. He previously served as the Ontario Director at the Canadian Taxpayers Federation and a policy fellow at the Munk School of Public Policy and Global Affairs. Jay holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Toronto.
