May 30, 2019
Manitoba Government Supports Victims of Crime
– – –Candace House Among Victim Services Organizations Receiving New Funding from Province: Cullen
The province is providing more than $400,000 to support programs and services that assist victims of crime, including $100,000 for Candace House, Justice Minister Cliff Cullen announced today.
“Our government will always stand up for victims of crime and their families, which is why we are committed to supporting organizations like Candace House,” said Cullen. “Feedback about Candace House has been overwhelmingly positive since its launch last year and we are pleased to provide this funding, which will enable them to continue providing needed comfort to the families of homicide victims and others who are navigating the criminal justice system.”
Candace House is the vision of Wilma and Cliff Derksen, who became strong advocates for victims after losing their daughter, Candace, to homicide in 1984. A comfortable refuge near the Winnipeg Law Courts, Candace House provides family members of homicide a safe place to rest, debrief about court and receive emotional support while involved in the criminal justice process.
The organization is receiving $100,000 in new funding including $50,000 from the Federal Proceeds of Crime Fund and $20,000 from the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund. An additional $30,000 is being provided from the Victims’ Assistance Fund.
“We are honoured by the continued support from the province, which will allow us to focus more efforts toward providing enhanced care and comfort during the court process for families who have lost loved ones through violence,” said Cecilly Hildebrand, executive director of Candace House. “Candace House recognizes the benefits of supporting victims and survivors of violent crime, and we are pleased to continue our partnership with the Manitoba government to provide this
ground-breaking service.”
In addition to funding for Candace House, the minister noted $235,000 is being provided to support community social service agencies that provide services to victims of crime including those impacted by sexual exploitation, sexual assault, domestic violence, impaired driving and homicide:
• Sage House;
• Salvation Army;
• Laurel Centre;
• Survivors Hope Crisis Centre;
• Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation Family and Community Wellness Centre Inc.;
• Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad Inc.;
• MADD Canada; and
• Ka Ni Kanichihk.
Additional funding of up to $83,500 will provide enhanced supports including access to Indigenous elders, assistance from the province’s intervention dog Milan, travel costs and programming for victims of domestic violence and stalking, the minister said.
The province is also providing:
• $25,000 for data analysis of gender based violence issues, with $5,000 from the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund specifically allocated to analyze data related to sexual assault; and
• $65,000 for independent legal counsel costs to help protect the privacy of victims in sexual assault cases when third-party records have been requested.
More information about Candace House is available at www.candacehouse.ca. For more information on Manitoba’s victims services programs, visit www.gov.mb.ca/justice.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION ATTACHED
Backgrounder
BG-Candace_House_Funding-JS.pdf - https://www.gov.mb.ca/asset_library/en/newslinks/2019/05/BG-Candace_House_Funding-JS.pdf