Why did you establish this awards program?

We established the Attorney General's Victim Services Awards of Distinction in 2006 to recognize the high quality services and supports that people and organizations provide to victims of crime on a daily basis throughout the province.

We also want to recognize the exemplary efforts of individuals who are personally impacted by crime and have raised the profile of victims' issues in Ontario.

How does this program help 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 Attorney General's Victim Services Awards of Distinction provide a valuable opportunity for the people who develop and carry out victim services programs to learn from the experiences of others.

Who is eligible for an award?

Any Ontario resident or group may be nominated for an award.

There are two categories of nominees:

• individuals, including:
  • professional practitioners who deliver exceptional service, or who have developed innovative ways to serve victims
  • volunteers who offer their time and personal resources to help victims
  • victims, family members of victims, or others personally impacted by crime, who have raised the profile of victims' issues in Ontario.

or

• groups, including:
  • projects that deliver a specific, time-limited service to victims
  • programs that deliver ongoing services to victims
  • organizations responsible for more than one victim services initiative.

Projects, programs and organizations may also be nominated, although one person must be named as the group's authorized contact.

Who is not eligible for an award?

The ministry will not accept nominations for:

• persons with cases currently before the courts
• persons who are not residents of Ontario
• organizations located outside the province of Ontario
• employees of the Province of Ontario and sworn police officers. These individuals are recognized through other awards programs.

Who may submit a nomination?

Any Ontario-based organization or Ontario resident may submit a nomination.

How do I submit a nomination?

If you wish to nominate an individual, whether a victim, family member, volunteer or professional, complete the nomination form. Be sure that both you and an authorized representative of the nominee sign the form.

Detailed instructions that explain how to complete and submit a nomination itself are included on the form.

For more information, please contact Laura Ostler at laura.ostler@ontario.ca.

Mail or courier completed nomination forms to:

Nominations
Attorney General's Victim Services Awards of Distinction
Ministry of the Attorney General
18 King Street East, 7th Floor
Toronto, ON  M5C 1C4

Can individuals nominate themselves?

Any person or organization in Ontario may submit a nomination, but self-nominations will not be accepted so those who wish to be nominated may wish to seek a sponsor. Ontario residents 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.

Is there an age restriction on eligibility?

No, there is no age restriction for nominees. Nominations are especially welcomed for youth who have contributed to victim services in their communities.

Why did you reduce the number of categories this year?

In response to feedback we received from past years' nominators, we have simplified our awards process by reducing the number of categories from five to two: individuals and groups.

The nomination form is also a lot shorter than last year's form. How will you ensure that all pertinent information about the nominee is available to aid in the evaluation process?

The nomination form has been simplified to make it easier for nominators to complete.

If additional information is needed, ministry staff will contact the nominator.

How do you ensure that appropriate individuals and organizations know about the awards program?

We have reached out to more than 4,000 stakeholders and community groups across the province, and posted information about the awards on our website.

How will the privacy of nominees be protected?

The ministry will accept nominations if the nominee has consented, in writing, to having his/her name put forward for consideration.

Also, both the nominee and nominator must agree to have his or her private information, including name, photograph and other information contained in the application form, released publicly for the purposes of acknowledging a nomination and/or receipt of an award.

How do you choose the winners?

The completed nomination forms are reviewed by a panel consisting of representatives of the Ministry of the Attorney General and members of the Office for Victims of Crime.

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 honoured.

How are these awards different from the Ontario Victim Assistance Award or other volunteer awards?

The Ontario Victim Assistance Award specifically recognizes police services and their contributions to the field of victim services. It was developed in 2004 through a partnership between the ministry and the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police.

The Attorney General's Victim Services Awards of Distinction are the first in the province to specifically recognize the contributions individuals, volunteers and community groups make to serve victims across Ontario.

Is there a monetary value to these awards?

No. There is no monetary value to the awards.

How much does this cost?  Wouldn't the money be better spent on providing services to victims?

This is a very modest program.  We believe that raising awareness and providing improved services to victims far outweigh the minimal costs involved.