OTTAWA (Ontario), April 21, 2013 – Sue O’Sullivan, Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime marked National Victims of Crime Awareness Week by recognizing the challenges victims face and urging the Government to make positive change for victims of crime in the coming year.

“This week is an important week for bringing attention and awareness to victims of crime in Canada and the challenges they face,” said Ms. O’Sullivan. “I have had the privilege of speaking to victims all across this country and I continue to be amazed by their strength and courage. Victims of crime have been through unimaginable trauma and they deserve to be treated with respect, to have their needs considered and addressed, and to be included in the decisions and policies that affect them most.”

On April 18th and 19th, 2013 the Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime hosted a Forum, bringing together over 150 victims and other key stakeholders to discuss the path forward. Though the analysis of the discussions and recommendations are ongoing, participants expressed a strong desire to see significant and immediate changes to Canada’s laws, policies and services for victims.

“This will be an important year for victims as the Government moves to introduce the recently announced Victims’ Bill of Rights,” said Ms. O’Sullivan. “Our Office will be working diligently to ensure that the issues and recommendations victims have shared with us be considered for inclusion. Canada has an opportunity here to take a significant step forward, and we have to get it right.”

Launched in 2006, National Victims of Crime Awareness Week was created to provide an opportunity to reflect on how Canada is meeting the needs of victims of crime.

The Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime helps victims to address their needs, promotes their interests and makes recommendations to the federal government on issues that negatively impact victims.

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