Governing Legislation for Victims of Crime (4:II)

This information applies to British Columbia, Canada. Last reviewed for legal accuracy by the Law Students' Legal Advice Program on August 7, 2020.

1. Legislation and Regulations

Canadian Victims Bill of Rights, SC 2015, c 13, s 2

Victims of Crime Act, RSBC 1996, c 478

Crime Victim Assistance Act, SBC 2001, c 38

Crime Victim Assistance (General) Regulation, BC Reg 161/2002

Crime Victim Assistance (Income Support and Vocational Services and Expenses) Regulation BC Reg 162/2002

Criminal Code, RSC 1985, c C-46

Adult Guardianship Act, RSBC 1996, c 6

Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, SC 2001, c 27

Family Law Act, SBC 2011, c 25

2. Policy Guidelines

Ministries of Attorney General, Public Safety & Solicitor General, and Children & Family Development, Violence Against Women in Relationships Policy (British Columbia, December 2010).

Criminal Justice Branch, Ministry of Justice Crown Counsel Policy Manual, Vulnerable Victims and Witnesses – Adult, Effective March 1, 2018.

Criminal Justice Branch, Ministry of Justice Crown Counsel Policy Manual, Victims of Crime – Providing Assistance and Information to (1) Effective March 1, 2018

Criminal Justice Branch, Ministry of Justice Crown Counsel Policy Manual, Victim Services Programs – Providing Information to Victims (2) Effective March 1, 2018

Criminal Justice Branch, Ministry of Justice Crown Counsel Policy Manual, Sexual Services: Purchase of and Related Offences, Effective March 1, 2018.

3. Resources

Crime Victim Assistance Program

Provides financial assistance and benefits to victims of violent crimes, their immediate family members and some witnesses to offset the costs of the victimization and to promote their recovery from the physical and psychological effects of the offence.

Online Website Email: cvap@gov.bc.ca Address P.O. Box 5550 Stn. Terminal Vancouver, B.C. V6B 1H1 Phone Toll-Free: 1-866-660-3888 (Lower Mainland)

Directory of Victim Service and Violence Against Women Programs in BC

A directory for violence against women and victim service programs across BC.

Online Website

Victim Notification – Victim Safety Unit

The Victim Safety Unit provides information to victims when the accused or offender is supervised by BC Corrections. Some information may also be provided to persons named in a civil protection order. Victims may be provided with ongoing information about the status of an accused or an offender, including whether or not they are currently in provincial jail, when they may get out of provincial jail, what community they may be in and what conditions they accused or offender may have to follow.

Online Website Email: vsusg@gov.bc.ca Address 302 – 815 Hornby Street Vancouver, B.C. V6Z 2E6 Phone Toll-Free: 1-877-315-8822

Community Safety and Crime Prevention Branch

As the provincial centre of responsibility for victims’ issues, human trafficking and crime prevention, the Division develops legislation and policies, provides training and delivers and funds programs that support victims, address human trafficking and provide a restorative justice response to crime.

Online Website Email: crimeprevention@gov.bc.ca Address 302 - 815 Hornby Street Vancouver, B.C. V6Z 2E6 Phone (604) 660-5199 Toll-free : 1-800-663-7867 Fax : 604 660-1635

VictimLink BC

VictimLink BC is available 24 hours, seven days a week and has information about and referrals to a number of support systems that are available to victims of crime.

Online Website Email: VictimLinkBC@bc211.ca Phone Toll-Free: 1-800-563-0808 TTY: (604) 875-0885

Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia

Provides assistance to adults who need support for financial and personal decision-making and administers estates of deceased persons if there is no one else to do it. They may also administer trust funds on behalf of minors. Service is available in 130 different languages.

Online Website E-mail: mail@trustee.bc.ca Address 700 - 808 West Hastings Street Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3L3 Phone (604) 660-4444 Fax: (604) 660-0374

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