New victim services office opening in Marystown  

Tom Marshall, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, and Clyde Jackman MHA for the District of Burin-Placentia West and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Education, announced today that a victim services office is slated to open on the Burin Peninsula .  

"The need for victim services on the Burin Peninsula has increased significantly over the past number of years and will further increase as government moves forward with its plans to expand victim services to children," said Minister Marshall. "A new victim services office in Marystown will address this demand and ensure both children and adults on the Burin Peninsula receive quality victim services."    

To date, the victim services program, established in 1991, has provided services to victims 16 years of age and older.  In Budget 2005, government announced plans to expand victim services to include children under the age of 16.  Minister Marshall said, "Prior to this announcement, Newfoundland and Labrador was the only jurisdiction in the country that did not provide victim services to children.  We have developed a program that will ensure both adults and children who testify in criminal proceedings have a positive support system in place."  

"As the MHA for Burin-Placentia West, I am extremely pleased to see that the Department of Justice has decided to place a victim services office in Marystown," said Mr. Jackman.  "The decision to open this office on the Burin Peninsula was heavily influenced by the professional, well-reasoned and team-oriented approach taken by the members of the Burin Peninsula Community Enrichment Committee in lobbying government on this issue.  This is another great example of what we can accomplish when we work together as a region toward a common goal."     

The victim services program is responsible for court preparation and information services regarding the criminal justice system, pre-court preparation, and short-term counseling. The victim services regional office will be located in Marystown and recruitment for a regional coordinator is currently being advertised as a public employment opportunity.   

Media contact: Billy Hickey, Communications, (709) 729-6985 , 691-6390  

2005 08 04                                                        2:55 p.m.