Ontario Supporting Victims and Survivors of Crime

April 25, 2025

Chatham-Kent Police Services will receive $100,000 to help expand services for victims to help officers effectively engage with victims and provide immediate assistance, in providing state-of-the-art translation services.

NEWS April 25th, 2025

COMMUNITY — The Ontario government is investing more than $3 million to support victims and survivors of crime. The funding is being delivered through the Victim Support Grant (VSG) program and includes $100,000for the Chatham-Kent Police Services.

Chatham-Kent Police Service will work with project REACH that will help all frontline officers to be equipped with state-of-the-art translation services (in both voice and video format). This will help officers effectively engage with victims and provide immediate assistance, regardless of the language barriers.

“I’m proud to see Chatham-Kent Police Service receive $100,000 through the Victim Support Grant. This funding will help provide stronger, more compassionate support to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other serious crimes in our community,” said Trevor Jones, MPP for Chatham-Kent-Leamington. “It’s an important step toward making Chatham-Kent safer and more supportive for everyone in providing immediate assistance, regardless of language barriers.”

“Our government recognizes the devastating impact that crime can have on its victims and survivors,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “Through this grant program, we’re helping to ensure that victims of crime feel safe and supported.”

The Victim Support Grant is part of Ontario’s Guns, Gangs and Violence Reduction Strategy and complements the province’s $307 million Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy, 2020-2025 and Combating Human Trafficking Act, 2021.

QUICK FACTS

The VSG program supports victims and survivors of intimate partner violence and/or domestic violence, hate crime, gender-based violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, elder abuse and other crimes.

VSG projects can include specialized training for law enforcement, culturally responsive education and awareness campaigns, and purchasing technology and equipment to enhance police investigations and provide survivors with the option to complete interviews remotely.

All municipal and First Nation police services, as well as municipalities policed by the Ontario Provincial Police, are eligible to apply for funding through the VSG program.