
Victims Fund
Last Update: August 18, 2025
Canada
Supports access to justice and services for crime victims
At a glance
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Timeline
- Unspecified
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
Funds Providers
Program status
Open
Overview
The Victims Fund provides up to $85.3 million over five years to support national access to independent legal advice and representation for victims of sexual assault and intimate partner violence, along with pilot projects and targeted initiatives. Eligible activities include developing innovative approaches, improving service provider capacity, fostering referral networks, and increasing awareness of available support for victims of crime and their families.
Financing terms and conditions
- Budget 2021 allocates $85.3 million over five years, starting in 2021-22, to support the national program for independent legal advice and legal representation for victims of sexual assault.
Activities funded
- Providing independent legal advice and legal representation for survivors of sexual assault.
- Supporting pilot projects for victims of intimate partner violence.
- Encouraging the development of new approaches to support victims of crime.
- Promoting access to justice for victims and their families.
- Conducting activities that improve the capacity of service providers and increase awareness of services available to victims of crime.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 83,000
Developing referral network for intimate partner violence survivors
$ 78,500
Expanding legal advice hotline for sexual assault survivors
$ 82,000
Establishing a legal clinic for survivors of sexual assault
$ 72,500
Raising awareness of legal supports in multicultural communities
$ 85,000
Creating online portal for access to independent legal advice
$ 57,000
Piloting trauma-informed legal training for shelter staff
Eligibility
- The applicant must propose projects or activities that support access to justice and services for victims of crime.
- The initiative should encourage new approaches, promote access to justice, improve service provider capacity, foster referral networks, or increase awareness of services available to victims and their families.
Who is eligible?
- Child Advocacy Centres
- Organizations supporting victims of crime and their families
- Organizations hosting Victims Week events
- Organizations assisting Canadians victimized abroad
- Organizations supporting Indigenous victims of crime
Eligible expenses
- Expenses related to access to independent legal advice or legal representation for victims of sexual assault or intimate partner violence.
- Expenses for developing new approaches and improving the capacity of service providers for victims.
- Costs related to establishing referral networks and raising awareness of available services for victims and their families.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada (national program and agreements with provinces and territories)
How to apply
1
Identify suitable funding stream
- Review eligibility criteria and available funding initiatives for the Victims Fund
- Identify the specific program or funding stream relevant to your needs (e.g., Child Advocacy Centres, Project Funding)
2
Gather required information
- Gather necessary information and documents as required by the selected funding option
- For specific queries, contact PB-DGP@justice.gc.ca
Additional information
- Unsolicited funding proposals are not currently being accepted.
- Specific funding related to Budget 2021 is available for legal advice and representation for victims of sexual assault and intimate partner violence.
- The Fund does not provide criminal injuries compensation for victims of crime.
- Information about the program was last modified on 2024-07-31.
Contacts
PB-DGP@justice.gc.ca
Canada
Apply to this program
Frequently Asked Questions about the Victims Fund Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Victims Fund. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Victims Fund?
How much funding can be received?
What expenses are eligible under Victims Fund?
What is the deadline to apply?
Is the Victims Fund a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Who are the financial supporters of the Victims Fund?
Who is eligible for the Victims Fund program?
Who can I contact for more information about the Victims Fund?
Where is the Victims Fund available?
Are women eligible for the Victims Fund program?
Are Indigenous Peoples eligible for the Victims Fund program?
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