WHAT ARE THE VICTIM SERVICES AWARDS OF DISTINCTION?

On December 5, 2006, the government announced new awards for excellence in victim services. These awards recognize the exceptional achievement of dedicated professionals and volunteers in the field of victim services. They also acknowledge the strength, creativity and courage of individual victims who have been able to move forward to forge a better future for themselves, their families and their communities while raising the profile of victims' issues in the province of Ontario.

The Victim Services Awards of Distinction also recognize innovative services and supports to victims of crime. It is hoped that these awards will encourage the sharing of best practices and unique achievements among victim services professionals and volunteers across the province.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Any resident of Ontario may be nominated for an award as an individual or as part of larger group. Any person or organization in Ontario may submit a nomination. However, self-nominations will not be accepted.

This year the awards will recognize excellence and outstanding achievement in any of the following areas:

• Victims and other individuals personally impacted by crime who have raised the profile of victims' issues in the province;
• Service providers who deliver exceptional services to victims of crime;
• Field practitioners who develop and implement innovative victim service programs and projects;
• Volunteers who offer their time and personal resources to help victims;
• Youth who dedicate time and effort to support victims in their communities.

WHAT IS THE NOMINATION PROCESS?

The nominator will complete the nomination form and indicate the category of the award for which the nominee is being recommended. The nominator will then briefly summarize why he/she believes that the individual or group should be selected for an award and send the signed form to the nominee. The nominee must sign the nominee consent form to indicate that he or she is aware of the nomination and agrees to be nominated. The complete package is submitted to the Ontario Victim Services Secretariat (OVSS) of the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General.

HOW WILL RECIPIENTS BE SELECTED?

The complete package will be reviewed by a selection panel consisting of one or more members of the community, the Office for Victims of Crime and staff from the Ministry of the Attorney General. The panel will then submit the most compelling nominations to the Attorney General. The Attorney General will make the final award decisions.

HOW WILL RECIPIENTS BE NOTIFIED?

Recipients will receive a letter from the Attorney General notifying them that they have been selected. An awards presentation will follow at a later date.

HOW TO APPLY

Any person or organization can nominate an individual or group. Each nomination must include the following information.

• The nominator must sign a completed nomination form.
• The nominee must sign a completed nominee consent form.
• Only original signed copies of the forms will be accepted. Unfortunately, nominations received by fax or e-mail will not be accepted.
• Description of achievement is limited to the space provided. This should include:
  • How the nominee's actions or achievements have positively influenced attitudes, approaches or practices in victim services;
  • Identification of the significant contributions made by the nominee(s); and
  • Any extraordinary circumstances or challenges that the nominee(s) faced.
• You also have the option of providing additional material to support a nomination. Be sure to identify these materials in the application and firmly affix them to the nomination form. Please do not send originals of important or official documents, as they will not be returned.

WHEN IS THE DEADLINE?

NOMINATION PERIOD EXTENDED:  Nominations for the Attorney General’s Victim Services Awards of Distinction will now be accepted until Friday, October 9, 2009. 

Completed nominations are to be sent to the address below by mail or courier.  Please note that late entries will not be accepted.

Ms. Fatima Ferreira
Project Coordinator, Victim Services Awards
Ontario Victim Services Secretariat
Ministry of the Attorney General
18 King Street West, 7th Floor
Toronto, Ontario
M5C 1C4

Only completed and signed nomination and consent forms will be accepted. Original signatures are required. Faxed or email copies of the completed forms will not be accepted.

NEED MORE INFORMATION?

Additional information and nomination forms may be obtained by contacting Ms. Fatima Ferreira at 416-325-3266 or fatima.ferreira@ontario.ca

Nomination forms may also be obtained from the Ministry's website

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