Backgrounder

May 28, 2009

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Through an amendment to a regulation under Ontario's Victims' Bill of Rights, Ontario has made it easier for victims of child pornography, hate crimes and other offences to sue offenders for damages. Here's what people are saying:

"We applaud the government for making this important change to better empower victims of hate crime, sexual exploitation of children on the Internet and other crimes. It sends a strong message that our society will not tolerate this kind of abuse, especially as it relates to children and youth."
- Karyn Kennedy, Executive Director, BOOST Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention

"Internet child exploitation is a growing problem in our society. We are pleased that the government is taking another step to fight this insidious crime and hold offenders accountable for their actions."
- Paul Gillespie, President and CEO, Kids' Internet Safety Alliance

"Hate crimes against people who are targeted merely on the basis of their race, ethnicity, religion, sexual identity or other factors have profound and lasting effects. The report of the Hate Crimes Community Working Group endorsed the kind of action that the government announced today to empower victims of these terrible crimes."
- Karen Mock, Former Chair of the Hate Crimes Community Working Group

"The Office for Victims of Crime is pleased that the government has instituted this important change to better respond to the needs of victims in Ontario."
- Ruth Campbell, Chair, Office for Victims of Crime

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