An Overview of Victim Services Across Canada

Saskatchewan

Legislation

Saskatchewan's Victims of Crime Act provides for the existence of the Victims Fund, which collects federal and provincial surcharges. The Victims Fund provides funding for the majority of victim services in Saskatchewan.

Services

Saskatchewan has established a network of police-based Victim Services Programs, which serve approximately 83% of the population. These programs provide information, support and assistance to victims of crime and traumatic events, and they include specialized Aboriginal Resource Officers and programs funded primarily for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Saskatchewan also provides Victim Witness programs through crown prosecutor offices, Victims Compensation Program and the Restitution Program. Support is also provided for several specialized victim services programs, as well as research and education. There are also a wide variety of Aboriginal initiatives focused on family violence, victims' initiatives in northern communities, and Urban Aboriginal Crime Prevention.

Compensation

A victim of a criminal act, a victim injured or killed as a result of assisting a peace officer and victim dependants may receive up to $25,000 maximum award. Compensable expenses include medical, dental, optometry and chiropractic expenses, prescriptions, wages or salary lost, funeral expenses, ambulance costs and counselling.

• Victim Services: http://www.justice.gov.sk.ca/victimsservices
• Compensation: http://www.justice.gov.sk.ca/VS-Compensation