Our Mission:

Victim Services of Windsor and Essex County: is a non-profit, volunteer driven organization that provides assistance to victims of crime and tragedy. Funded by the Ministry of the Attorney General’s Victim Service Secretariat as a Victim Crisis Assistance Referral Service (VCARS) program, we have been operational since 1995. Our service operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We provide victims with support, information and referrals free of charge. Victim Services can be accessed by all agencies and emergency service providers, on behalf of victims, and is available throughout Windsor and Essex County. We offer a number of services to crime victims including advocacy and accompaniment. Our crisis response model was designed to assist police in minimizing the long term negative effects of victimization as well as prepare better witnesses for court.

SupportLink: is a program designed to increase the safety of individuals identified as being in imminent danger, most often victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and/or harassment. Clients are assisted in the development of a personalized safety plan. High risk victims are at times provided with a cellular phone pre-programmed to dial 911.

Trauma Treatment Groups: Funded by the Trillium Foundation groups are offered for adults and children who have survived a crime or tragic incident. We provide a forum for people to meet with others who share a similar tragedy and are experiencing symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress. The programme is designed by trauma specialists and teaches coping strategies to minimize trauma and anxiety.

Victim Assistance for New Canadians: is a partnership with the Multicultural Council of Windsor & Essex County. We provide New Canadians with information, access to community resources and support designed to assist those who have been victims of hate, bias and crimes of torture.

Victim Quick Response Program: is a time limited program that provides immediate financial assistance to victims of serious and/or violent crimes. Those who qualify must be victims of homicide, sexual assault, domestic violence, serious physical assault or hate crimes. If eligible, they will have immediate access to:
• Emergency expenses to secure premises for victim safety,
• Emergency care for dependents,
• Transportation costs,
• Specialized crime scene cleanup services in the immediate aftermath of violent crime,
• Funeral expenses which are to reimburse eligible families of homicide victims,
• Counselling which is to help victims of serious crimes recover from their experience.

For more information, please visit us at:
Victim Services of Windsor and Essex County