How Should Alberta Better Support Victims of Crime?

Official title: Victim services engagement

Closed Policy & Studies Health & Safety Justice & Rights
Alberta asked victim advocacy groups and service organizations how to improve support for crime victims. The old system was inconsistent—some areas had good services, others didn't. A working group of MLAs gathered recommendations that led to a new provincial program.

Why This Matters

Been a victim of crime in Alberta? The support you got depended heavily on where you lived. This engagement shaped a new program that aims to give every victim access to a local navigator—no matter which town or detachment they're near.

What Could Change

A new Victims of Crime Assistance program has been created. Alberta is shifting to a regional model with a victim services navigator at every RCMP detachment. Local staff no longer need to fundraise—the province now provides full operational funding.

Key Issues

  • How can victim services be more consistent across Alberta?
  • What improvements are needed to the service delivery model?
  • How can victims be better supported financially and emotionally?

What Happened

Stakeholder feedback led to the creation of a new Victims of Crime Assistance program. Alberta is transitioning to a regional service delivery model that provides a victim services navigator at every RCMP detachment, full operational funding (eliminating local fundraising requirements), and centralized support staff to handle administrative tasks.