Frequently Asked Questions

For Immediate Release
July 13, 2007

Updated
January 2008

Victims of violent crime need effective and compassionate support in the immediate aftermath of a crime. That is why the government has established the Victim Quick Response Program (VQRP). This service responds to the most urgent needs of victims of violent crime and is available fast and close to home.

What does the VQRP mean for victims of violent crime in your community?

The VQRP offers immediate assistance to help victims of violent crime who cannot afford services to address their immediate needs. These victims have access to three services. The services are:

• Emergency Expenses - for eligible victims, to secure premises for victim safety, provide emergency accommodation and meals, care for dependents, transportation costs or specialized crime scene cleanup services in the immediate aftermath of violent crime
• Funeral Expenses - to assist eligible families of homicide victims
• Counselling - to help victims of serious crimes recover from their experience.

The help is available to victims of crimes that were reported on, or after, June 30, 2007.

How does the VQRP work?

These services are quick and easy to access. Once victims are connected to the designated agency in their community, they receive the help they need to access the services. The services must be requested no later than 14 days after the crime is reported.

In all cases, service providers are paid directly by the VQRP rather than the victim. Eligible victims may request the following services:

1. Funding to cover emergency expenses to a combined maximum, per occurrence, not to exceed $1,000 for:
1. Costs incurred in crime scene cleanup where the use of a specialized service is required
2. Funding to cover emergency home repairs to secure premises for the immediate safety of victims.
• Emergency home repair funding is NOT intended to replace broken items unless the item is necessary for the safety and security of the victim. Examples of eligible costs include but are not limited to:
• Installing plywood sheets over broken windows
• Replacing broken locks on doors
• Repairing or replacing primary telephone or cell phone if existing one is broken
• Repairing telephone lines if lines were cut
• Reconnecting electricity or gas lines if cut.
3. Transportation costs for the most economical and practical means of travel to support a victim who has suffered emotional and/or physical harm as a result of violent crime or to enable a family member to identify a victim of homicide. These costs include:
• Air, rail or bus ticket, or
• Pre-paid gas card, or
• Gas or mileage expenses incurred by the service delivery organization’s volunteers, in accordance with related expense policies of the organization.
4. Emergency child care and dependent care for elderly or special needs dependents to support a victim who has suffered emotional and/or physical harm as a result of violent crime or to enable a family member to identify a victim of homicide. Licensed and non-licensed caregivers must provide an invoice for services.
5. Emergency accommodation and meals where there are no secure housing options available.
2. Funeral expense assistance up to $5,000 for eligible families of homicide victims.
3. Short-term, early intervention counselling to help reduce the impact of the crime. Private counselling fees are covered in cases where publicly funded counselling services are not available on a timely basis due to wait lists or distance. In such cases counselling will be covered to a maximum of 10 sessions or $1,000.

Who can request service?

A victim who has suffered emotional and/or physical harm is eligible for these services if he or she has reported a violent Criminal Code offence to a:

• Police service in the province of Ontario
• Sexual Assault Centre or Domestic Violence Shelter in cases of domestic violence or sexual assault
• Hospital or other community agency that provides services to victims of sexual assault and/or domestic violence in the province of Ontario.

A victim as defined in the Victims' Bill of Rights, 1995, means a person who, as a result of the commission of a crime by another, suffers emotional or physical harm, loss of or damage to property or economic harm.

Under the Victims’ Bill of Rights, if the commission of a crime has resulted in the death of a person, then that person's child, parent, dependent or spouse may also be considered a victim. 

For the purpose of the administration of the VQRP, if the commission of a crime resulted in the death of a person then that person's grandparent, grandchild, mother, brother or sister may also be considered a victim.

The following individuals may also request services on behalf of a victim:

• An immediate family member applying on behalf of the victim
• The custodial guardian of a victim who is a minor child
• An individual with legal authority to act on behalf of a victim who has special needs.

How can victims access these services?

A victim service agency has been designated to provide victims with access to the VQRP in over 50 locations across the province.

To locate the agencies delivering this service in your area, please refer to the listing on page eight of the attached VQRP Information Guide. You may also contact the Victim Support Line at (416) 314-2447 or toll-free at 1-888-579-2888 (press two [2] for referral to victim supports and services, then press one [1] to find help and services in your community).

A police service or a community agency that provides support to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault can help an eligible victim access the program through the locally designated victim service agency delivering the VQRP.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Where can I obtain more information?

Additional information is available by contacting the closest service delivery organization (see page eight in the VQRP Information Guide) or by calling the Victim Support Line at (416) 314-2447 or toll-free at 1-888-579-2888 (press two [2] for referral to victim supports and services, then press one [1] to find help and services in your community).

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