The Manitoba government has announced a significant increase in funding for victims of crime, with a 50 per cent boost in the allocation to Manitoba Justice Victims Services from the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund. Justice Minister Matt Wiebe made the announcement today, emphasizing the importance of supporting Manitobans affected by crime.

“We need to do everything we can to support Manitobans who are victims of crime,” said Wiebe. “These resources will support programs running throughout the province and ensure that we can make compassionate, community-based care available to those who need it in the aftermath of a crime.”

The Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund, which uses proceeds from the sale of seized criminal property, aims to protect Manitoba families and enhance public safety. This year, the fund will provide $750,000 to Manitoba Justice Victim Services, up from the usual $500,000. The increased funding will support several initiatives, including:

• Heartwood Healing Centre: Offers individual and group therapy to Manitobans aged 16 and over who have experienced childhood sexual abuse.
• Survivor’s Hope Crisis Centre’s SARAH Program: Provides after-care, long-term counseling, follow-up support, and legal advocacy to victims of sexual violence and intimate partner violence.
• Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation Family and Community Wellness Centre: Offers a bereavement support group for families of homicide victims in Thompson and surrounding areas.
• Mount Carmel Clinic’s Sage House – Sisters Offering Support Program: A drop-in centre and outreach program providing essential resources and a safe space for women-identifying persons engaging in survival sex work.
• Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad Inc.’s (Ndinawe) Child and Youth Care Certificate Program: A one-year program accredited by Red River College Polytechnic, offering accredited training in a community setting for individuals with past lived experiences.
• Candace House: Provides wrap-around support in a comforting home-like day refuge for victims, survivors, and families who have lost a loved one to violent crime.
• MADD Canada: Delivers essential education and awareness about the serious consequences of impaired driving.

Coral Kendel, executive director of Survivor’s Hope Crisis Centre, highlighted the importance of the funding, stating, “Community-based programs like SARAH increase the options to justice available in rural Manitoba and empower survivors to heal in ways that make sense to them. We are encouraged to hear of the increase in funding provided to Manitoba Victims Services and look forward to our continued relationship together with the shared goal of supporting Manitobans impacted by violence.”

The province also provides over $20 million to agencies through the gender-based violence program, focused on prevention and supporting survivors. This includes a $420,000 increase to shelters for women fleeing intimate partner violence in this year’s budget.

For more information about programs and services for victims of crime in Manitoba, visit www.gov.mb.ca/justice/victims/services.

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