Ontario Honours Recipients of 2018 Victim Services Awards of Distinction

Press Release

April 12, 2018 10:00 A.M.

Twenty remarkable individuals and organizations from across the province received the Attorney General’s Victim Services Awards of Distinction today for their outstanding work on behalf of victims of crime in Ontario.

The Attorney General’s Victim Services Awards of Distinction recognize the exceptional achievements of dedicated professionals, organizations and volunteers working to raise awareness of victims’ issues, advocate on their behalf and provide support when victims need it most.

Some of the award recipients this year include:

WEFiGHT human trafficking in Windsor, which provides immediate assistance to survivors of human trafficking since 2002, including income support, food, clothing, housing and immigration

Sureya Ibrahim, who works tirelessly to support victims and their families affected by gun and gang-related violence in Toronto’s Regent Park community

Dr. Dawn Lavell-Harvard of the Wikwemikong First Nation, a committed victims advocate dedicated to addressing issues related to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada

These three recipients were among 20 outstanding groups and individuals from across the province honoured by Attorney General Yasir Naqvi at a Queen’s Park ceremony today.

Quick Facts

The Victim Support Line is a provincewide, toll-free telephone service, providing information and referrals to victims of crime in many languages. The support line can be accessed at 1-888-579-2888, or in the Greater Toronto Area at 416-314-2447.
The victim services online service directory helps victims of violent crimes find services available in communities across Ontario.
In March 2018 the province launched It’s Never Okay: Ontario’s Gender-based Violence Strategy

Background Information

Recipients of the 2018 Attorney General’s Victim Services Awards of Distinction

Additional Resources

Quotes

“This year’s award recipients demonstrate courage and dedication on a daily basis by helping victims of crime rebuild their lives. I applaud and thank them for their passionate commitment to helping others, and hope that their work serves as an example to each of us.”

Yasir Naqvi
Attorney General

“On behalf of the Office for Victims of Crime, I want to offer our congratulations to all the recipients of the 2018 Attorney General’s Victim Service Awards of Distinction. You are proof that Ontario’s community organizations and volunteers are the foundation for making our province a caring and supportive society.”

Ruth Campbell
Chair of the Office for Victims of Crime

Media Contacts

Andrew Rudyk
Minister’s Office
Andrew.Rudyk@ontario.ca
416-326-4019

Brian Gray
Communications Branch
MAG-Media@ontario.ca
416-326-2210

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