Ontario Supporting Victims of Gun and Gang Violence in Windsor – Essex

NEWS	Wednesday, February 28th, 2024

Windsor  — The Ontario government is investing over $1.4 million in communities across the province to help support young victims, witnesses and survivors of gun and gang violence, including human trafficking, and their families. The funding, through the Grant to Support Child Victims of Gun and Gang Violence, includes $137,757 for the Windsor Essex Child/Youth Advocacy Centre (WECYAC).

“I’m happy to celebrate the success of the Windsor Essex Child and Youth Advocacy Centre with this new funding in support of our most vulnerable youth,” said Andrew Dowie, Member of Provincial Parliament for Windsor—Tecumseh.  “This funding will help our Youth Advocacy Centre in their work to deliver accessible, culturally appropriate support services to our youth who are the victims of criminal behaviour in our community.”

The grants provide organizations with funding for initiatives that:

• Expand supports including counselling and safety planning services for child victims of gun and gang violence and those impacted by human trafficking.
• Create culturally sensitive, relevant and accessible resources to help young victims and their families more easily navigate the justice system.
• Deliver specialized training to staff who support child victims of gun and gang violence.
• Support community coordination and partnerships with stakeholders.

“Community organizations do important, impactful work helping young victims of crime when and where they need it most,” said Attorney General Doug Downey. “Today’s investment is part of our government’s ongoing work to support victims of crime, empower communities, and increase awareness of gun and gang violence. Ontario is honoured to support the dedication and commitment of these local individuals and organizations through this grant program.”

“Community organizations do important, impactful work helping young victims of crime when and where they need it most,” said Attorney General Doug Downey. “Today’s investment is part of our government’s ongoing work to support victims of crime, empower communities, and increase awareness of gun and gang violence. Ontario is honoured to support the dedication and commitment of these local individuals and organizations through this grant program.”

QUICK FACTS

• This new program is funded as part of a $121 million investment by the federal government to help prevent gun and gang violence in Ontario, and builds on the province’s Guns, Gangs and Violence Reduction Strategy and the Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy.

• Family violence against children and youth increased 38 per cent from 2014 to 2022, according to a Statistics Canada report on trends in police-reported family violence and intimate partner violence.

• Ontario’s Child Victim Witness Program helps lessen the trauma suffered by children and youth when testifying in court. 

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Media Contact:

Mike Lesperance

Special Assistant, Andrew Dowie, MPP

Windsor Tecumseh

Ph: 519-251-0437 Cell: 226-724-6329

Email: michael.lesperance@pc.ola.org