$100K from Ontario for local victim support services

Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli announced $100,000 in funding from the Ontario government to the North Bay Police Service through the Victim Support Grant program (VSG) to help support victims and survivors of intimate partner violence/domestic violence, human trafficking, and child exploitation.

“Victims and survivors of crime depend on access to immediate and ongoing supports to ensure their safety and help them rebuild their lives,” said Fedeli. “The Victim Support Grant is part of our government’s plan to combat violent crime on our streets and ensure that victims are not left behind.”

The North Bay Police Service will work with Victim Services of Nipissing District to enhance capacity to support the needs of victims and survivors of intimate partner/domestic violence, human trafficking, and child exploitation through their Nipissing Victim Support Project.

“I want to commend Ontario’s provincial government for this important investment that will support victims and survivors of crime,” said North Bay Police Service Chief Scott Tod. “The Victim Support Grant will help us at the North Bay Police Service and our partners at Victim Services of Nipissing District support victims and survivors of domestic violence, intimate partner violence, human trafficking, and child exploitation within our community."

The project will include a Northern Ontario training symposium on gender-based violence, an online child exploitation awareness campaign as well as tools, victim support kits, and trauma-informed training.

"These crimes cause profound, lasting impacts in the lives of victims and survivors," Tod continued. "We as police will always do our part to support victims and survivors and bring criminals to justice. This investment by Ontario’s provincial government will be a tremendous help in accomplishing that goal.”

Kathleen Jodouin, the executive director of Victim Services of Nipissing District added, “Victim Services of Nipissing District is pleased to partner with the North Bay Police Services on this project to enhance gender-based violence (GBV) victim supports in our community. Working in collaboration with our policing partners increases our capacity to support members of our community who have experienced GBV."