Manitoba’s government is taking $750,000 from its Criminal Property Forfeiture (CPF) Fund and giving it to various bodies supporting those impacted by crimes such as sex assault, intimate partner violence and murder, according to a Nov. 14 news release.
The CPF fund includes a “funding stream” for Manitoba Justice’s Victim Services Branch, which provides support as per the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights, it states.
The CPF fund distributes proceeds from the sale of seized criminal property to organizations focused on improving community safety.
“November is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and our government is strengthening its support for victims of intimate partner violence and other serious crimes throughout the province,” said Manitoba Justice Minister Matt Wiebe in a statement. “Our public safety strategy commits to supporting Manitobans victimized by crime and we are able to help victims and their families rebuild their lives by redirecting the proceeds of criminal activity in Manitoba to valuable community programs.”
One of the initiatives receiving money is the Survivor’s Hope Crisis Centre’s Sexual Assault Recovery and Healing program, which is being given $30,000 to continue providing legal advocacy and counselling to victims of sexual and intimate partner violence.
Other groups include:
- Winnipeg’s Candace House, receiving $200,000 to continue providing wraparound services and “day refuge” for victims and families, some of whom may be navigating the court system.
- Manitoba Justice’s Victim Services, receiving $110,000 for supports such as the Victim Travel Fund, elder services and electronic monitoring.
- The Heartwood Healing Centre in Winnipeg, receiving $90,000 to support individual and group therapy for victims of childhood sexual abuse.
- The Western Manitoba Women’s Centre in Brandon, receiving $35,000 to supply women and gender-diverse people and their children in western Manitoba with trauma-informed counselling, advocacy and “inclusive programming.”
Another group receiving funds is the Parkland Crisis Centre and Women’s Shelter in the city of Dauphin, which is being given $35,000 to continue providing its services — which include emergency shelter, counselling and child and youth programs — to women and children fleeing intimate partner abuse.
“The Parkland Crisis Centre and Women’s Shelter is excited to announce the newly formed partnership with Victim Services to improve service accessibility within our community,” said Parkland’s executive director Kari Prawdzik. “The shelter is passionate about empowering individuals to break free from the cycles of violence and building healthier futures. Our organization’s goals are to assist in providing life-changing support to those affected by family, intimate partner and gender-based violence.”
Other groups include Mount Carmel Clinic’s Sage House in Winnipeg, the Brandon Police Service’s victim services unit, and the child and youth program at Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad Inc.
According to Statistics Canada, Manitoba had 31,971 victims of police-reported violent crime in 2023. Rates were highest in the province’s “urban” and “rural” North.
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