Ontario. Ministry of the Attorney General - Toronto - Court of Appeal of Ontario - Victim / Witness Assistance Program, Toronto, Court of Appeal of Ontario

Organization:

Phone Numbers:

416-326-2655

Toll-Free:

1-866-429-5955

Fax:

416-327-6373

Website:

www.ontario.ca/page/victimwitness-assistance-program

Address:

720 Bay St 5th Fl
Toronto, ON
M7A 2S9

Street
Address:

Toronto

Accessibility Notes:

Unknown; contact for information

Hours:

Mon-Fri 7 am-9 pm

Service Description:

Information and assistance to support participation in and understanding of the criminal court process
Services begin once police have laid charges and continue until the court case is over. Services include:

information about victims' rights, the criminal justice process and their specific case (e.g., court dates)
needs assessment and referrals to community agencies, including Indigenous and other culturally specific agencies
crisis intervention, trauma-informed support, victim advocacy
facilitates victim's input and liaises with Crown Attorneys, police, regarding bail, safety, resolution of charges, release conditions, publication bans, testimonial aids, trial preparation and court orientation
arrange for interpreters and accessibility accommodations
information and support on Victim Impact Statements, Statement on Restitution
facilitates access to court orders, such as bail conditions, probation orders, peace bonds
debriefing and follow-up support

Vulnerable Victims and Family Fund -- Helps support victims of crime, including families of homicide victims and motor vehicle fatalities resulting in criminal charges, to participate more fully in the criminal court process by providing financial assistance and court-based supports for:

travel to attend key court dates
language interpretation services
special accommodations for victims with disabilities, such as real-time captioning
basic necessities for victims of human trafficking or gun and gang violence while attending court

Fees:

None

Application:

Referral by police, Crown Attorney, community agency, or self-referral.

To access supports, the proceedings must take place at a court in Ontario and applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria depending on the type of support requested

Eligibility / Target Population:

Victims and witnesses of:

Intimate partner violence
Child physical and sexual abuse
Sexual assault (including historical sexual assault)
human trafficking
Families of motor vehicle fatalities
Families of homicide victims
Elderly victims
Victims with disabilities
Victims of hate crime

Vulnerable Victims and Family Fund – Eligibility determined on case-by-case basis

Languages:

English ; French

Area Served:

Algoma, Barrie & Area, Bolton Caledon, Bramalea, Brampton, Brant, Burlington, Cambridge–North Dumfries, Chatham – Kent, City of Thunder Bay, Cochrane, Collingwood & Area, District of Kenora, District of Rainy River, District of Thunder Bay, Dufferin, Durham North East, Durham West, East Mississauga, East York, Elgin, Etobicoke, Grey and Bruce, Guelph–Puslinch, Haldimand Norfolk, Haliburton County and City of Kawartha Lakes, Halton Hills, Hamilton, Huron and Perth, James and Hudson Bay Coast, Kingston, Kitchener–Waterloo–Wellesley–Wilmot–Woolwich, Lanark, Leeds & Grenville, London and Middlesex, Midland, Penetanguishene & Area, Milton, Muskoka, Niagara, Niagara North West, Nipissing–Temiskaming, North Etobicoke, Malton, West Woodbridge, North Lanark/North Grenville, North West Mississauga, North York, Northern, Northumberland County, Oakville, Orillia & Area, Ottawa, Oxford and Norfolk, Peterborough City and County, Prescott/Russell, Quinte, Renfrew County, Rural Frontenac, Lennox & Addington, Rural Hastings, Sarnia – Lambton, Scarborough, Scarborough North, Scarborough South, South Etobicoke, South Simcoe, South West Mississauga, Stormont/Dundas/Glengarry, Sudbury–Manitoulin–Parry Sound, Toronto, Wellington, Windsor – Essex, York - Toronto, York Region