Referrals and Follow-up regarding Victims of Crime (4:XII)
If you refer the victim to a lawyer, social service agency, or health professional, remember to follow up to ensure that the victim is looked after. A simple phone call to the victim should suffice. Should you need to consult with a professional (for instance, a psychiatrist) about a victim’s ongoing case, you need to have the victim sign a written release form authorizing you to collect information about them, or on their behalf.
A. General Referrals
Crime Victim Assistance Program
| P.O. Box 5550 Stn. Terminal | Telephone: (604) 660-3888 (Lower Mainland) |
| Vancouver, BC V6B 1H1 | Toll-Free: 1-866-660-3888 |
| E-mail: cvap@gov.bc.ca |
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. In situations where the offender represents an ongoing significant risk to the victim’s safety, protective measures such as home alarm systems, security devices, and equipment and other safety measures may be available. In cases involving high-risk victims, the victim and their family may be eligible for relocation expenses where all other safety measures are considered insufficient to address the victim’s safety needs. For a complete list of benefits available, see the CVAP website.
Directory of Victim Service and Violence Against Women Programs in BC
A directory for violence against women and victim service programs across BC.
Victim Notification - Victim Safety Unit
| 302-815 Hornby Street | Telephone: (604) 660-0316 (Lower Mainland) |
| Vancouver, BC V6Z 2E6 | Toll-Free: 1-877-315-8822 |
| E-mail: vsusg@gov.bc.ca |
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 the accused or offender may have to follow. If the offender is under federal jurisdiction (under the supervision of the Correctional Service of Canada or the Parole Board of Canada), the VSU will, upon request, forward the registration form to CSC/PBC. The CSC/PBC will provide victim notification to registered victims directly.
Community Safety and Crime Prevention Branch
| Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General | Telephone: (604) 660-5199 |
| 302-815 Hornby Street | Toll-Free: 1-800-663-7867 |
| Vancouver, BC V6Z 2E6 | Fax: (604) 660-1635 |
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.
| E-mail: VictimLinkBC@bc211.ca | Toll-Free: 1-800-563-0808 |
| TTY: (6040 875-0885 |
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. The service is toll-free, confidential, and anonymous.
Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia
| 700-808 West Hastings Street | Telephone: (604) 660-4444 |
| Vancouver, BC V6C 3L3 | Fax: (604) 660-0374 |
| Email: mail@trustee.bc.ca |
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 languages.
Email: mail@trustee.bc.ca
An online-based network with links to existing networks and information hubs to promote awareness of services and supports for victims of crime in Canada. They aim to raise awareness, understanding, and support for victims of crime in a society by providing online victim-centred information, resources, and referrals.
An online resource for victims and witnesses of crime in BC. The website links several Key Contacts such as the Victims Information Line, Lawyer Referral Service, Youth Against Violence Line, among others.
B. Referrals for Specific Victims
1. Children and youth Victims
Ministry of Child and Family Development
The Helpline for Children: 310-1234 (no area code needed)
To report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect.
After Hours Services
- Vancouver, North Shore, and Richmond: (604) 660-4927
- Rest of the Lower Mainland, from Burnaby and Delta to Maple Ridge and Langley: (604) 660-8180
- Elsewhere in BC: 1-800-663-9122
Refers those in crisis situations to food and emergency housing resources (after office hours and weekends).
Society for Children and Youth of BC (SCY)
| 303-1720 Grant Street | Telephone: (778) 657-5544 |
| Vancouver, BC V5L 2Y7 | Toll-Free: 1-877-462-0037 |
| E-mail: info@scyofbc.org |
The Society for Children and Youth of BC (SCY) is a unique provincial organization dedicated to improving the well-being of children and youth in British Columbia. SCY recognizes that adult duty-bearers need to advocate for the rights of children and youth of BC as listed in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in order to improve their well-being.
The SCY operates the Child and Youth Legal Centre (legal advice and representation for children and youth). Contact information is the same as for SCY.
The Child and Youth Legal Centre is committed to improving the well-being of children and youth in British Columbia through the advancement of their legal rights. The role of the Centre is to advocate on behalf of vulnerable children and youth in BC. The Centre provides legal representation, free to those who qualify, for young people who are experiencing problems related to family law, child protection, human rights and many other legal issues. The Centre has two full-time child and youth lawyers. The Centre offers a free drop-in clinic on the first Tuesday of every month at 920 East Hastings Street from 3-6 pm for children and youth aged 9 to 19. Call or visit their website for more details.
General Ministry Inquiries
Telephone: 1-877-387-7027
Email: MCF.info@gov.bc.ca
Provincial Government Referral Service
Victoria: (250) 387-6121
Metro Vancouver: (604) 660-2421
Elsewhere in BC: 1-800-663-7867
2. Other Victims
UBC Life & Career Centre (Formerly the UBC Women's Resources Centre)
| UBC Robson Square, 800 Robson Street, Plaza Level, Room 1.400 | Telephone: (604) 822-8585 |
| Vancouver, BC V6Z 3B7 |
Information and referral, counselling support groups for women, stress management, depression. Abusers may also be referred here.
Telephone: (604) 583-1295
The Surrey Women’s Centre has a mobile assault response team that provides services over the phone and in-person to anyone who has experienced a physical or sexual assault. They are available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You do not have to go to the hospital or make a police report to use their services.
Telephone: (604) 255-6344
Outside lower mainland: 1-877-392-7583
WAVAW provides support services to survivors of sexualized violence who have shared experiences of gender marginalization: cis and trans women, Two-Spirit, trans and/or non-binary people. They advocate for social and systemic change through education, outreach and activism.
British Columbia Society for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse
Telephone (Vancouver): (604) 682-6482
Telephone (Surrey): (778) 222-6885
BC Society for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse aims to provide therapeutic services for males who have been sexually abused at some time in their lives. They provide treatment and support services to survivors and support significant-others and relatives of the survivors as well as educate on material concerning sexual abuse of males.
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