Navigating the aftermath of a crime can be a complex and challenging time for victims who may still be processing the traumatic experience they faced.
To help, Alberta’s government is investing in supports provided by front-line organizations to victims of crime. These organizations ensure victims and survivors receive equitable, responsive and co-ordinated support when navigating Alberta’s criminal justice system. This funding is being provided through the Specialized Criminal Justice Navigator Grant program, which was launched in the fall of 2023.
“After a crime, figuring out what to do can be difficult and stressful. It’s our duty to stand by victims of crime, providing predictable, sustainable and consistent funding as they navigate the complexities of the justice system. With the Specialized Criminal Justice Navigator Grant, Alberta’s government stands firm in its dedication to placing victims of crime first, ensuring they receive the guidance and assistance they deserve.”
“Becoming the victim of a crime is an upsetting, often traumatic experience—even more so for individuals who belong to vulnerable populations, or who face economic, cultural or other barriers that make it difficult for them to participate fully in what can often be a complex and intimidating process. These grants will help to make sure that Albertans get the support they need as their cases work their way through the justice system.”
Funding through the Specialized Criminal Justice Navigator Grant program is being provided to 20 non-profit organizations across the province, including child advocacy centres, sexual assault services, and specialized programs for victims of elder abuse, intimate partner violence, newcomers to Canada and human trafficking. These criminal justice navigators will work directly with victims and survivors of crime to provide essential information about the criminal justice system, including ways to participate, information and referrals on various programs and resources, and support with courtroom orientation and accompaniment.
The grants can be used to cover the salary, training and benefits for up to two full-time employees, as well as travel, technology requirements and administrative expenses related to directly delivering services to Albertans navigating the criminal justice system.
“We are very grateful for the funding received from the Specialized Criminal Justice Grant for our Responding to Family Violence Outreach Program. This funding is instrumental in providing crucial support to victims of family violence, who often lack the capacity and knowledge to navigate the criminal justice system on their own. With this grant, we can offer culturally and linguistically appropriate services, ensuring that victims can access the timely support and resources they urgently need.”
"We at the Edmonton Newcomer Centre are grateful to receive the Specialized Criminal Justice Navigator grant. With this funding, we will provide crucial support to victims of crime. All crime is harmful, but we know there are some crimes that impact us at a deeply human level - such as homicide, family violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, and human trafficking. They ripple out beyond the victims themselves to impact the sense of safety felt by families, communities, and our whole society."
Quick facts
- Grants will cover a two-year term from April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2026.
- Community organizations receiving funding include:
- Action Coalition on Human Trafficking (ACT) Alberta
- ASSIST Community Services Centre
- Association of Communities Against Abuse (ACAA)
- Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse (CCASA)
- Canadian Child Abuse Association
- Capella Centre Alberta
- CARYA
- Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre (CASASC)
- Chinook Sexual Assault Centre
- Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers
- Families First Society
- High Level Community Policing Society
- HomeFront Society for the Prevention of Domestic Violence
- Lloydminster Sexual Assault Services
- Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society
- Open Doors
- Pace Community Support, Sexual Assault &Trauma Centre
- Saffron Centre Ltd.
- Sanare Centre (Southeastern Alberta Sexual Assault Response Panel)
- Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton (SACE)
Related information
- Specialized Criminal Justice Navigator Grant
- Recommendation on Victims Services: Report to Government
Related news
- Supporting victims of crime every step of the way (September 1, 2023)