Solicitor General and Public Security ViaiMS SERVICES BRANCH STATUS REPORT 2008-2009 Government of Alberta ■ Solicitor General and Public Security Victims Services Branch Status Report 2008-2009 Contact CONTACT US Information For additional information, contact Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security at: Victims Services Public Security Division Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security 10‘^ Floor, John E. Brownlee Building 1 0365 - 9 7 Street Edmonton AB T5J 3W7 Phone: 780-427-3460 (local calls) or 310-0000 (toll-free within Alberta) or through our web-site at: www.victims.alberta.ca 2 Table of Contents Victims Sen/ices Branch Status Report 2008-2009 TABLE OF CONTENTS Report Highlights 4 Business Plan 5 History 6 Victims Of Crime Programs Committee 7 Financial Benefits Program 8 Criminal Injuries Review Board 9 Grant Funding Agreements 10 Grants Funding Formula 10 Discretionary Funding Factors 11 Approved Grants 12 Police-based Programs 13 Services Provided 14 Police-based Victim Services Units 2008/2009 15 Approved Grants Provided to Police-based Programs 15 Multi-Year Grants 16 Multi-Year Grants that received increased funding for 2008-2009 17 Total Grants Approved for Police-based Programs in 2008-2009 17 Community Based Victim Services Units 2008/2009 18 One Year Grants 19 Multi-Year Grants 26 Total Grants Provided to Community Based Programs in 2008-2009 28 Program Activity 29 Introduction 29 New Cases 30 Persons Assisted 31 Type of Persons Assisted 32 Volunteers 33 Volunteer Hours 34 Solicitor General and Public Security Victims Services Initiatives 35 Victims of Crime Protocol: What Victims of Crime Can Expect from the Criminal Justice System 35 Victims of Crime Protocol: Roles and Responsibilities 36 Protocol Evaluation 36 Victim Impact Statement Program 36 Victim Advocate Training Manual 36 Victim Assistance Coordinator Training 37 Advanced Coordinator Training 37 Aboriginal Awareness Training 37 Underserved Aboriginal Pilot Project 37 CANTALK 37 Victims of Crime Website 38 Victim Impact Statement Program 39 Requesting Restitution Program 41 Victims Services Organizational Chart 42 Report Highlights Victims Services Branch Status Report 2008-2009 REPORT HIGHLIGHTS Report Highlights • Total financial expenditures for the Victims Services Branch in 2008- 2009 were $24,761,000. • A total of $11,623,272 was provided to eligible victims of crime by the Financial Benefits Program during this period. • The Minister approved grants from the Victims of Crime Fund totaling $7,435,353 for 97 victim service programs in the fiscal year 2008-2009. Tinhgi.s amount reflects an increase of 36% over the previous year’s fund- • The total amount paid to victims programs from the Victims of Crime Fund in 2008-2009 was $9,252,263. • The Minister has committed to an additional $7,023,295 for multi-year grants from 2009-2010 to 201 1 - 2012. • Police-based programs (RCMP, municipal police, and First Nations po- lice) received 67% ($4,993,476) of grant funds for 2008-2009. • Community-based programs (programs that respond to the needs of vic- tims of c rime in specialized ways) received 33% ($2,441,877) of grant funds for 2008-2009. • As of March 31, 2009, Alberta had a network of 73 police-based victim service programs operating 119 victim service units. • Victim service programs reported responding to 43,122 new cases of crime or tragedy; 26,899 or 62% of those new cases involved assistance to victims of violent crime. • Victim service programs reported providing services to 58,828 people in 2008-2009, of which 48,877 (83%) were adults and 9,951 (17%) were under the age of 18. • 1,916 volunteer advocates and board members contributed a total of 178,659 volunteer hours in 2008-2009. • Providing information was the most frequent type of assistance provided for new and ongoing cases. • General assistance provided (information, crisis intervention and refer- rals) accounted for the majority (42%) of advocates’ time. • 12,934 Victim Impact Statement packages were distributed to victims of crime in 2008-2009. The majority were distributed in cases of assault. MXCTXNVS Business Plan Victims Services Branch Status Report 2008-2009 Business BUSINESS PLAN Plan All Government of Alberta Ministries are responsible for preparing three -year business plans in accordance with the Government Accountability Act and es- tablished accounting practices. The Victims Services Branch continues to im- prove its p erformance and services by striving for the goals laid out by the 2008-201 1 departmental business plan. Goal Six of the business plan, “Victims of Crime receive assistance, informa- tion and support” means that the Ministry ensures that eligible victims of crime receive prompt financial benefits and assists community groups and organiza- tions to e stablish accountable programs and initiatives that meet the needs of victims of crime. The strategies for Goal 6 a re: 6.1 Provide prompt financial assistance for eligible victims through the Financial Benefits Program. 6.2 Provide funding through the Victims of Crime Fund Grants Program to eligible groups and organizations that provide pro- grams and initiatives that benefits victims of crime. 6.3 Build capacity for the provision of enhanced victim services within community groups. Aboriginal and isolated communities. 6.4 In consultation with key stakeholders, develop new programs for victims of crime, such as the provision for counseling ser- vices and financial assistance for attending specified court pro- ceedings. 6.5 Implement an enhanced accountability framework for police- based programs and develop an enhanced framework for com- munity programs. 6.6 Enhance training for victim service unit coordinators, volunteer advocates and criminal justice professionals. History Victims Services Branch Status Report 2008-2009 HISTORY Victims of The Victims of Crime Act {Act) was proclaimed August 1, 1997 excluding pro- Crime Act visions directly associated with the delivery of financial benefits to individual victims of crime; these were proclaimed on November 1, 1997. The Victims of Crime Act replaced the Victims’ Programs Assistance Act and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act. Victims of The Victims of Crime Fund (Fund), a regulated fund held and administered by Crime Fund the Minister of Finance, operates under the authority of the Victims of Crime Act, Chapter V-3, Revised Statutes of Alberta 2000. The Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security is responsible for the Fund under the authority of the Government Organization Act, Statutes of Alberta. The Fund is financed through a l evy on provincial and federal fines. The purpose of the Fund is to provide grants to victims programs and to pay benefits to victims, or their dependents, who suffer injury or death as the result of a criminal offence as specified in the regulations of the Victims of Crime Act. As of March 31 , 2009 the Fund had net assets of $46,734,000. The Minister, in accordance with the Act and regulations uses the Fund for: • grants under section 1 1 of the Act with respect to programs that bene- fit victims of crime • costs incurred by the Committee and the Criminal Injuries Review Board in carrying out their duties • remuneration and expenses payable to the members of the Committee and the Criminal Injuries Review Board • financial benefits payable pursuant to the Act • paying the costs of administering the Act In May 2005, the Act incorporated the Canadian Statement of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime which reiterate the need to treat victims with courtesy, compassion, respect and privacy. The principles state victims should be provided with information about the role they play within the justice system and acknowledgement that victim’s views and concerns are important. Under the Act, the Minister has appointed a Director who is responsible for providing victims and their families with general information concerning ser- vices available for victims, how the justice system operates, and overall ad- ministration of t he Act. The Director also evaluates applications for, and makes decisions respecting eligibility for financial benefits in accordance with section 13 of the Act. As well, the Director is a p oint of contact for victims who feel they have not been treated in accordance with the principles of the Act, providing them with information on how to resolve their concerns. Two core programs operate under the Act - a financial benefits program for eligible victims who have suffered injury as a result of a violent criminal of- fence, and a grants program that provides funding to eligible groups and or- ganizations offering information, assistance and support to victims during their involvement in the criminal justice process. MXCTms Victims of Crime Committee Victims Sen/ices Branch Status Report 2008-2009 Committee VICTIMS OF CRIME PROGRAMS COMMITTEE Membersfiip The Victims of Crime Act established the Victims of Crime Programs Commit- tee, whose members are appointed by the Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security. The Committee evaluates grant applications from eligible pro- grams and makes recommendations to the Minister, who has final approval of grants awarded. Committee The Committee consists of five members: three members representing the Meetings community-at-large, one member representing the police, and one member representing government. In the regular grant cycle the committee meets twice per year to evaluate grant applications submitted for the April and October 1®^ application dead- lines. In 2008-2009, an additional $3 million was allocated to the victims of crime grants program which resulted in a special grant period (for one year only) with a J une 17**^ application deadline. As a result of the special grant period, the Committee met three times in 2008- 2009 (June, August and December) to review the applications and make deci- sions regarding funding. The Committee recommended 66 grant applications and 31 in term grant in- creases to t he Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security in 2008-2009. — \d"V Financial Benefits Program Victims Services Branch Status Report 2008-2009 Financial FINANCIAL BENEFITS PROGRAM Benefits Program In 1997, Alberta’s Victims of Crime Act introduced the Financial Benefits Pro- gram, which is supported by the Fund. The Financial Benefits Program recognizes victims who were injured as a di- rect result of crime in Alberta. It p rovides direct assistance with a one-time fi- nancial benefit based on the severity of the victim’s injuries. The benefit calcu- lation isp rescribed in the regulations to the Act. A supplemental monthly benefit of $1,000 for eligible victims who are fully dependent on others for ba- sic living functions due to their injuries, was introduced in the spring of 2008. As financial benefits are awarded based on injury, victims may also seek resti- tution or t ake civil action for the recovery of costs or losses from the offender through the courts, such as compensation for costs or losses, property dam- age, medical expenses, funeral costs, loss of wages or pain and suffering. In order to qualify for a f inancial benefit, victims must report the crime to police within a reasonable period of time and cooperate with the investigation into the incident; however, charges do not have to be laid for a victim to receive benefits. There is a t wo year time limit to apply for financial benefits; applica- tions must be received within two years of the date of the incident. Additional time to apply may be considered if t he victim was unable to submit an applica- tion due to circumstances. In 2008-2009, 2,385 applications for financial benefits were received. During this period, a total of $11,623,272 was provided from the Fund for physical and emotional injuries sustained as a result of violent crime committed in Al- berta. Ten victims qualified for supplemental benefits in 2008-2009. 8 ^ \ CrV Victims Services Branch Status Report 2008-2009 Criminal Injuries Review Board CRIMINAL INJURIES REVIEW BOARD Criminaf The Criminal Injuries Review Board considers requests for review of decisions on Financial Benefits Program applications. Applicants must submit requests Injuries Review for review within thirty days of receiving the decision on their application. How- Board ever, this deadline may be extended if t he Board considers it a ppropriate to do so. The Board Chair must review all requests for review and may refuse the request if it is found to have no merit. If a request is to proceed, a panel of three Board members holds a h earing to consider the request. The Board may confirm, vary or rescind the decision of the Director on the application. Appli- cants can attend the hearing and may be accompanied by a f amily member, friend, support person or legal counsel. Others may only attend hearings if approved by the Board. Hearings are generally held monthly, alternating between Calgary and Ed- monton. All d ecisions of the Board are final and may only be appealed to the Courts on a q uestion of law or jurisdiction. In 2008-2009, 223 requests for review were concluded. Two hundred and thirty-two reviews were heard by the Board, over 39 hearing days. — Grant Funding Victims Services Branch Status Report 2008-2009 GRANT FUNDING AGREEMENTS Grant Programs approved for grant funding are required to enter into a Conditional Funding Grant Agreement with the Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security. In Formula accordance with the agreement, funded programs are required to submit quarterly program activity reports, annual financial statements, and a final evaluation report upon expiry of the funding term. The grant funding formula ensures fair and equitable allocation of grant mon- ies province wide through the establishment of a base funding amount for po- lice-based victim service programs. The base funding amount reflects a com- mitment in m aking police-based programs a f unding priority. In 2008-2009, an additional $3 million was allocated to the victims of crime grants program which resulted in a special grant period (for one year only). Grants were calculated on the basis of a new funding formula that allowed po- lice-based victim service units to receive funding on the basis of all crime sta- tistics, not j ust serious and violent crimes. The formula also resulted in an in- crease in t he base funding amount for police-based victim service units and an increase in maximum funding for police-based and community-based pro- grams. The formula: • Allocates a specified base funding amount from the Victims of Crime Fund to police-based programs who provide victim services. • Utilizes a per crime amount, calculated using the Uniform Crime Re- port data on all crime in the service area, as submitted to Statistics Canada by all police services. • Establishes a minimum base funding award to police-based victim ser- vice programs of $15,000 per program per year (a $7,000 increase over the previous funding formula). • Establishes a maximum grant amount of $150,000 to both police- based and community-based victim programs (a fifty percent increase over the previous funding formula). • The police based programs in Calgary and Edmonton received a maxi- mum grant amount of $300,000 (three times the maximum amount of $100,000 in the previous funding formula).