 VCARS (Victim Crisis Assistance and Referral Services)
VCARS is a community based, not-for-profit, program funded by the Ministry of the Attorney General, Ontario Victim Services Secretariat to work in partnership with local police services to provide emotional support and practical assistance to victims of crime and tragic circumstance.
Under its umbrella, VCARS provides support to victims and their families with access to the following programs.
ON-SCENE SUPPORT
With the assistance of a team of well-trained community volunteers, victims and/or their families have 24/7 access to *police referred on-scene support.
Victims who consent to a VCARS Victim Response Team will be provided with emotional support and practical assistance and will receive appropriate community referrals to obtain long-term support.
*A Durham Regional Police Officer must be present in order for a VCARS Team to be activated. A community citizen cannot request a VCARS Team to be sent to their residence if the police are not present on-scene.
SUPPORTLINK
SupportLink is a joint initiative of the Ministry of the Attorney General, Rogers AT+T Wireless, Ericsson Canada and Victim Services of Durham Region.
The program provides wireless cell phones to victims, 18 years of age and older, who are at high risk of personal danger because of:
- Domestic Violence
- Sexual Assault
- Harassment
- Stalking
Victims applying for a Supportlink phone must meet the eligibility criteria of the program. For more information on client eligibility, please refer to tools of the trade.
VQRP (Victim Quick Response Program)
Victim Quick Response Program is designed to assist victims of the following crimes:
- Homicide (Attempt Murder)
- Serious Physical Assault
- Domestic Violence
- Sexual Assault
- Hate Crimes
Eligible victims, who cannot afford to pay for expenses, may request
funding for the following services:
1. Emergency Expenses: secure premises, accommodation and meals, care for dependents, transportation costs, crime scene clean-up.
2. Funeral Expenses: victims of homicide ONLY
3. Emergency Counselling: to help victims suffering from emotional or physical harms recover from their experience.
For more information on victim eligibility, please refer to tools of the trade.
You may also visit the following websites for further information on the above programs or contact our office directly at (905) 579-1520 ext. 1846.
Victim Services Ontario
Ontario Victim Services Secretariat
For more information, please view the VQRP Brochure, the VQRP Eligibility Checklist, the VCARS Brochure and the Supportlink Eligibility.
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