Justice Federal Victims Strategy Evaluation

Executive Summary

1. Introduction

The Justice Federal Victim Strategy (Justice FVS) is based on the premise that although many significant advances have been made in services, legislation, policies and programs for victims of crime, many challenges remain. There are also varying approaches across the country in victim services, programs and policies and an ongoing need for federal leadership in this area.

The evaluation of the Justice FVS was conducted between 2014 and 2015. In accordance with the 2009 Treasury Board Policy on Evaluation, the evaluation assessed the relevance and performance of the Justice FVS. In terms of relevance, the evaluation considered the continued need for the Justice FVS and the alignment of its priorities and activities with those of the Government of Canada, departmental strategic outcomes, and federal roles and responsibilities. With regard to performance, the evaluation considered both effectiveness (e.g., the extent to which the Justice FVS has achieved its objectives), and efficiency and economy (e.g., the degree to which appropriate and efficient means are being employed to achieve the desired outcomes).

The evaluation covers the Justice FVS activities, undertaken between fiscal years 2010-11 and 2014-15Footnote 1.

2. Methodology

The evaluation methodology consisted of eight lines of evidence, including a document and literature review, key informant interviews, victims financial assistance surveys, Victims Fund file review, Victims Fund case studies, policy case studies, directed studies, and a study of resource utilization.

The use of multiple data sources allowed for the triangulation of findings to clearly define areas of consensus, verify and validate results. A departmental Evaluation Advisory Committee also provided technical assistance throughout the evaluation.

3. Findings

3.1. Relevance

There continues to be a need for a coordinated federal response to ongoing and emerging victims of crime issues. The Justice FVS continues to be relevant and the four core activities are seen as appropriate levers to ensure that the outcomes are achieved.

There continues to be a need for the departmental Policy Centre for Victim Issues (PCVI) to provide a federal, provincial, and territorial coordination role with regards to information sharing and collaboration; to ensure that the development of legislation takes into consideration the needs of victims, that the criminal justice system is responsive towards victims and their needs; and to participate fully at the international level. As victims begin to exercise their newly enshrined rights under the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights, the need for a federal centre of expertise on victims’ issues is expected to increase.

There also continues to be a need for the Victims Fund to support jurisdictions so that they can engage in innovative activities through pilot projects that are not supported through their provincial and territorial core funding; promote victims issues through the National Victims of Crime Awareness Week (Victims Week) funding; as well as enhance victim services especially in smaller jurisdictions and in the North where the need for support is highest. The Victims Fund has evolved to meet the continued need for culturally appropriate services for Aboriginal victims and supporting services for children and youth through child advocacy centres. There also continues to be a need to provide financial assistance for victims of crime to enhance their ability to participate and have a voice in the criminal justice system and to reduce financial hardship.

The Justice FVS is fully aligned with federal roles and responsibilities with regards to addressing victims of crime issues. During the evaluation period, the Justice FVS was also fully aligned with the priorities of the Government of Canada and the strategic outcome of the Department.

3.2. Performance

3.2.1. Effectiveness

The evaluation found that the Justice FVS was successful in achieving its objectives and expected outcomes. This was most evident with regards to increasing awareness and knowledge of victim issues, legislation and services available; enhancing the capacity for the delivery of appropriate, responsive victim services; and increasing access to services for victims of crime.

However, recognizing that there is variability in service delivery across Canada, the Department could play a role in enhancing the availability of services through the Victims Fund. This could be achieved by placing higher emphasis on capacity building and innovative projects that expand the scope and reach of new services to under-served areas and clientele. PCVI could also play a leadership role as Secretariat of the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Working Group on Victims of Crime (FPTWG) to facilitate discussion with provinces and territories on how to address the variability of access to services across the country.

3.2.2. Efficiency and Economy

The four functional areas of the Department involved in the Justice FVS are well integrated and coordinated, which is a result of long-standing relationships between the groups. In addition, PCVI is involved in all of the core Justice FVS activities, which ensures a consistent policy approach is used to address ongoing and emerging victim issues.

Although the Justice FVS was successful in achieving its expected outcomes, a number of government-wide and departmental spending limitations impeded the ability of PCVI to fully undertake the core Justice FVS activities, namely hosting in-person FPTWG meetings, and undertaking federal public awareness activities.

An analysis of the operational efficiency of the Victims Fund found that for every dollar invested in grants and contributions, the Department spent $0.06 in administrative costs to support the delivery of the Victims Fund. This is modest considering that a significant amount of interaction with funding applicants and recipients is required to deliver and manage the Victims Fund.