Why did the McGuinty government establish this awards program?

The Ontario government established the Victim Services Awards of Distinction to recognize exceptional and innovative services that individuals and organizations provide to victims of crime on a daily basis throughout the province.

We also want to recognize victims who have courageously forged a better future for themselves, their families and their communities by raising the profile of victims' issues in the province.

Who will the awards program recognize?

The awards will recognize individuals and organizations that have made exceptional contributions to their fields of service to victims, as well as victims or others who have been impacted by crime, and have worked to raise the profile of victims' issues in the province.

Is there a monetary value to these awards?

There is no monetary value to the awards.

How will recipients be selected?

Nomination packages 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 then make the final award decisions.

What types of achievements will be recognized?

The awards will recognize excellence and exceptional achievement in any of the following areas:

• Victims or other individuals personally impacted by crime who have raised the profile of victims' issues in the province
• Service providers who deliver exceptional support 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.

The two awards designated for service providers seem very similar. What's the difference between them?

The award for exceptional service will be presented to recipients who consistently demonstrate a commitment to victims and victim services that goes beyond the already high quality standard of services to crime victims.

The innovative service award will highlight situations where a person or group has developed a unique or novel approach to achieve tangible improvements in services to the victims who are their clients, to better meet their needs.

What is the definition of youth for the purposes of the award?

Anyone under the age of 18 at the time the nomination is submitted is considered a youth.

How will this program help to improve services to victims?

Our government is committed to increasing the effectiveness of victim services across the province. One step in achieving this goal is to help ensure that local agencies know about, and learn from, the successes of exemplary individuals and organizations. The Awards of Distinction will help to raise the profile of these initiatives and help to achieve this goal.

I have received an Attorney General's Award of Distinction in the past. Does that disqualify me from being nominated again?

No it does not. However, priority will be given to nominees who have not been previously selected.

How will the privacy of nominees be protected?

The ministry will only receive nominations under this program where the nominee has consented, in writing, to have his/her name put forward for consideration.

All selected award recipients will be asked to sign a, "Consent to release personal information form". Only selected award recipient names will be announced publicly.

Can individuals nominate themselves?

Any person or organization in Ontario may submit a nomination, but self-nominations will not be accepted. Residents of Ontario may be nominated for an award as individuals or as part of larger groups, although an individual may not nominate a group if he/she is a member of the group.

Can I fax or e-mail the forms?

Due to the need for signatures, only the original signed copies of the nomination form, nominee consent form and supporting documents will be accepted. Unfortunately, nominations by fax or e-mail will not be accepted.