Description of PCVI

The Policy Centre for Victim Issues at the Department of Justice Canada is mandated to work toward improving the experience of victims of crime in the criminal justice system by pursuing a range of activities and initiatives to:

• ensure that victims of crime and their families are aware of their role in the criminal justice system and services and assistance available to support them;
• enhance departmental capacity to develop policy, legislation and other initiatives which take into consideration the perspectives of victims;
• increase the awareness of criminal justice personnel, allied professionals and the public about the needs of victims of crime, legislative provisions designed to protect them and services available to support them; and
• develop and disseminate information about effective approaches both within Canada and internationally to respond to the needs of victims of crime.

The Policy Centre for Victim Issues engages in legislative reform, consultation, policy development, research, and project funding. The Policy Centre for Victim Issues does not however provide criminal injuries compensation to victims of crime. The PCVI has a close working relationship with the provinces and territories that are tasked with the responsibility for victim service delivery and the provision of criminal injuries compensation to victims of violent crime, where such programs exist.