Victim Services Program for Children will strengthen
role of child victims in the criminal justice system

The establishment of a Victims Service Program for Children will be a valuable resource and help initiate positive change for victims and witnesses of crime under the age of 16 who testify in criminal proceedings Justice Minister and Attorney General Tom Marshall announced today.

"Children and youth are among the most vulnerable within the criminal justice system. A program to assist child and youth victims of crime will fill gaps which currently exist by providing court preparation and information services regarding the criminal justice system, pre-court preparation, and short-term counseling," stated Minister Marshall. "This government is committed to improving access to services for children in court proceedings, and I am pleased that we have moved forward with implementing such a valuable and important service."

Newfoundland and Labrador was the only jurisdiction in the country that did not provide victim services to children. "A Victim Services Program for Children is long overdue and will be an important tool to introduce services to ensure children who testify in criminal proceedings have a positive support system in place," added Minister Marshall.

The program will be self-sustaining with the implementation of a 15 per cent Provincial Victim Fine Surcharge which will fund the program in its entirety. The surcharge will apply to offences under provincial acts and provincial regulations, but excluding parking offences and excluding offences pertaining to municipal acts or bylaws.

Victim Services is a critical component of the Newfoundland and Labrador judicial system, assisting persons who have been victims of criminal offences. The Victim Services Program is engaged in providing services to victims of crime which include ensuring the victims are able to participate meaningfully in the criminal justice system, and providing access to programs and services necessary for the healing and recovery of victims. Ten regional offices provide front-line services to victims. The new program for children is expected to be operational in fall 2005.

Media contact: Heather MacLean, Justice, (709) 729-6985, 690-2498

2005 05 18                                      2:55 p.m.