Justice Federal Victims Strategy Evaluation

Appendix A: Interview Guides

Policy Centre for Victim Issues – Individual Interviews

The Department of Justice Canada is conducting an evaluation of the work it does under the Federal Victims of Crime Strategy (Justice FVS). This evaluation is part of the regular evaluation five year cycle for all Government of Canada programs and initiatives.

The ultimate outcome of the Justice FVS is to ensure a more effective voice for victims in the criminal justice system. This is achieved by increasing and enhancing victim participation in the criminal justice system by:

Ference Weicker & Company is a management consulting firm that has been contracted by Justice Canada to assist with conducting this evaluation. As part of this work, we would like to get input from you regarding the relevance and performance of the Justice FVS. PCVI staff members will also be asked to participate in a group session. In this interview, we would like you to focus primarily on your individual work. The group session will focus on broader issues. The interview will take approximately one hour. Your responses will be aggregated with those of other respondents so no individuals will be identified in the final evaluation report.

Section 1: Introduction

1. What is your role with respect to the Justice FVS?

2. In which Justice FVS activities are you involved?

3. More specifically, what files are under your responsibility?

Section 2: Relevance

The needs of victims of crime are well documented through studies and evaluations, the focus of these questions is on whether the needs have changed and if so what are the current and emerging needs of victims of crime since the Justice FVS was last renewed in 2010.

4. Have the needs of victims changed since 2010? If so, how?

5. Are the four main activities of the Justice FVS the most appropriate to address these needs? If not what is needed?

6. Are there areas or gaps where the Justice FVS is not meeting existing or emerging needs of victims? What are they?

7. What would be the impact regionally and nationally of not having the Justice FVS in place?

Section 3: Performance - Achievement of Outcomes

The following questions focus on the impact of the work that you are performing, as well as other related activities with which are aware, in terms of achieving the intended outcomes of the Justice FVS.

8. On a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is no extent, 3 is some extent and 5 is a great extent, to what extent has the Justice FVS strengthened federal leadership, legislation, policy and programs responsive to victim issues?

9. On a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is no extent, 3 is some extent and 5 is a great extent, to what extent has the Justice FVS enhanced capacity for the delivery of appropriate, responsive victim services?

10. On a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is no extent, 3 is some extent and 5 is a great extent, to what extent has the Justice FVS increased awareness and knowledge of victim issues, legislation and services available?

11. On a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is no extent, 3 is some extent and 5 is a great extent, to what extent has the Justice FVS increased access to services for victims interacting with the criminal justice system?

12. On a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is no extent, 3 is some extent and 5 is a great extent, to what extent has the Justice FVS reduced hardship for victims of crime?

13. The ultimate outcome of the Justice FVS is to ensure a more effective voice for victims in the criminal justice system. This is achieved by increasing and enhancing victim participation in the criminal justice system. On a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is no extent, 3 is some extent and 5 is a great extent, to what extent has the Justice FVS a more effective voice for victims in the criminal justice system?

Section 4: Performance – Efficiency and Economy:

The following questions look at how the Justice FVS is currently designed and delivered with the focus on identifying ways to create efficiencies to enhance its effectiveness with respect to achievement of outcomes and economizing costs.

14. Do you have any suggestions for improving the way in which the Justice FVS is being delivered that would improve its performance, both the achievement of objectives and/or to increase its efficiency?

15. What percentage of your time do you spend working on victim’s related issues? (if less than 100%) What non-victims related work do you do?

16. Of the time spent working on victim’s related issues, what percent do you spend working on the following four main Justice FVS activities (if less than 100%, what other victims-related work do you do):

Allocation of Time on FVS Activity Percentage of Time
FPT working Group on Victims of Crime: Secretariat and Leadership?  
Victims Fund?  
Public Awareness of Victims of Crime Issues?  
Criminal Law Reform and Policy Development?  
Other (please specify)  
Total 100%

Thank you for participating in the evaluation of the Justice Canada component of the Federal Victims of Crime Strategy (Justice FVS).

Policy Centre for Victim Issues – Group Interview

The Department of Justice Canada is conducting an evaluation of the work it does under the Federal Victims of Crime Strategy (Justice FVS). This evaluation is part of the regular evaluation five year cycle for all Government of Canada programs and initiatives.

The ultimate outcome of the Justice FVS is to ensure a more effective voice for victims in the criminal justice system. This is achieved by increasing and enhancing victim participation in the criminal justice system by:

Ference Weicker & Company is a management consulting firm that has been contracted by Justice Canada to assist with conducting this evaluation. As part of this work, we are staging a group interview with representatives of the PCVI to obtain input regarding progress made and opportunities for improvement.

The session will last about 90 minutes. Your comments will be aggregated with those of other Departmental respondents so no individuals will be identified in the final evaluation report.

Discussion Questions

1. Is this focus of the Justice FVS (in terms of its activities and intended outcomes) appropriate given the needs of victims interacting with the justice system? Why is that?

2. To what extent have the activities of the Justice FVS strengthened federal leadership and contributed to a more effective voice for victims in the criminal justice system?

3. What are the priorities in terms of the further progress that needs to be made?

4. What challenges have you faced in carrying out your work? How do these challenges impact on the achievement of the intended outcomes of the Justice FVS?

5. What strategies and approaches have been employed to mitigate or overcome these challenges? How effective have those strategies been?

6. What further actions are required?

7. Are the various activities of the Justice FVS sufficiently integrated and coordinated to support achievement of the intended results? How does coordination occur?

8. What steps, if any, should be taken to improve the level of integration and coordination?

9. Going forward, what final recommendations or comments regarding the design of the Justice FVS, the governance structure, policies and strategies, how services are delivered, how resources are allocated, or other aspects of the programming to improve its performance?

Thank you for your participation.

Group Interview with the Programs Branch Staff

The Department of Justice Canada is conducting an evaluation of the work it does under the Federal Victims of Crime Strategy (Justice FVS). This evaluation is part of the regular evaluation five year cycle for all Government of Canada programs and initiatives.

The ultimate outcome of the Justice FVS is to ensure a more effective voice for victims in the criminal justice system. This is achieved by increasing and enhancing victim participation in the criminal justice system by:

Ference Weicker & Company is a management consulting firm that has been contracted by Justice Canada to assist with conducting this evaluation. As part of this work, we are staging a group interview with representatives of the Programs Branch to obtain input regarding the relevance and performance of the program. The session will last about 90 minutes. Your comments will be aggregated with those of other Departmental respondents so no individuals will be identified in the final evaluation report.

Discussion Questions

1. Have the needs of victims changed since 2010? If so, how?

2. Are the four main activities of the Justice FVS the most appropriate to address these needs? If not what is needed?

3. Are there areas or gaps where the Justice FVS is not meeting existing or emerging needs of victims? What are they?

4. What would be the impact regionally and nationally of not having the Justice FVS in place?

5. To what extent has the Justice FVS:

Considering the work that you do or are aware is being done, what are leading examples that demonstrate the contribution of the Justice FVS towards the achievement of these outcomes?

6. Do you have any suggestions for improving the way in which the Justice FVS is being delivered that would improve its performance, both in terms of the achievement of objectives and efficiency?

7. Going forward, what final recommendations or comments regarding the design of the Justice FVS, the governance structure, policies and strategies, how services are delivered, how resources are allocated, or other aspects of the programming to improve its performance?

Thank you for your participation.

Programs Branch Director

The Department of Justice Canada is conducting an evaluation of the work it does under the Federal Victims of Crime Strategy (Justice FVS). This evaluation is part of the regular evaluation five year cycle for all Government of Canada programs and initiatives.

The ultimate outcome of the Justice FVS is to ensure a more effective voice for victims in the criminal justice system. This is achieved by increasing and enhancing victim participation in the criminal justice system by:

Ference Weicker & Company is a management consulting firm that has been contracted by Justice Canada to assist with conducting this evaluation. As part of this work, we would like to get input from you regarding the relevance and performance of the Justice FVS. The interview will take approximately one hour. Your responses will be aggregated with those of other respondents so no individuals will be identified in the final evaluation report.

Section 1: Introduction

1. What is your role with respect to the Justice FVS? What the role of the Program Branch with respect to the Justice FVS?

2. In which Justice FVS activities are you involved?

Section 2: Relevance

The needs of victims of crime are well documented through studies and evaluations, the focus of these questions is on whether the needs have changed and if so what are the current and emerging needs of victims of crime since the Justice FVS was last renewed in 2010.

3. Have the needs of victims changed since 2010? If so, how?

4. Are the four main activities of the Justice FVS the most appropriate to address these needs? If not what is needed?

5. Are there areas or gaps where the Justice FVS is not meeting existing or emerging needs of victims? What are they?

6. What would be the impact regionally and nationally of not having the Justice FVS in place?

Section 3: Performance- Achievement of Outcomes

The following questions focus on the impact of the work that you are performing, as well as other related activities with which are aware, in terms of achieving the intended outcomes of the Justice FVS.

7. On a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is no extent, 3 is some extent and 5 is a great extent, to what extent has the Justice FVS strengthened federal leadership, legislation, policy and programs responsive to victim issues?

8. On a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is no extent, 3 is some extent and 5 is a great extent, to what extent has the Justice FVS enhanced capacity for the delivery of appropriate, responsive victim services?

9. On a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is no extent, 3 is some extent and 5 is a great extent, to what extent has the Justice FVS increased awareness and knowledge of victim issues, legislation and services available?

10. On a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is no extent, 3 is some extent and 5 is a great extent, to what extent has the Justice FVS increased access to services for victims interacting with the criminal justice system?

11. On a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is no extent, 3 is some extent and 5 is a great extent, to what extent has the Justice FVS reduced hardship for victims of crime?

12. The ultimate outcome of the Justice FVS is to ensure a more effective voice for victims in the criminal justice system. This is achieved by increasing and enhancing victim participation in the criminal justice system. On a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is no extent, 3 is some extent and 5 is a great extent, to what extent has the Justice FVS a more effective voice for victims in the criminal justice system?

Section 4: Performance – Efficiency and Economy:

The following questions look at how the Justice FVS is currently designed and delivered with the focus on identifying ways to create efficiencies to enhance its effectiveness with respect to achievement of outcomes and economizing costs.

13. Do you have any suggestions for improving the way in which the Justice FVS is being delivered that would improve its performance, both the achievement of objectives and/or to increase its efficiency?

14. What percentage of your time do you spend working on victim’s related issues? (if less than 100%) What non-victims related work do you do?

15. How many FTEs are there within the Programs Branch? Approximately what percentage of the time do these staff members spend working on victim’s related issues? Of this time, what percent do they spend working on the following four main Justice FVS activities (if less than 100%, what other victims-related work do the staff do):

Allocation of Time on FVS Activity Percentage of Time
FPT working Group on Victims of Crime: Secretariat and Leadership?  
Victims Fund?  
Public Awareness of Victims of Crime Issues?  
Criminal Law Reform and Policy Development?  
Other (please specify)  
Total 100%

Thank you for your participation.

Members of the FPT Working Group

The Department of Justice Canada is conducting an evaluation of the work it does under the Federal Victims of Crime Strategy (Justice FVS). This evaluation is part of the regular evaluation five year cycle for all Government of Canada programs and initiatives.

The ultimate outcome of the Justice FVS is to ensure a more effective voice for victims in the criminal justice system. This is achieved by increasing and enhancing victim participation in the criminal justice system by:

Ference Weicker & Company is a management consulting firm that has been contracted by Justice Canada to assist with conducting this evaluation. Ference Weicker & Company is a management consulting firm that has been contracted by Justice Canada to assist them in conducting this evaluation. As part of this work, we would like to get input from you regarding the relevance and performance of the Justice FVS. The interview will take approximately 30 minutes to 45 minutes depending on your involvement in the Strategy. Your responses will be aggregated with those of other FPT respondents so no individuals will be identified in the final evaluation report.

Section 1: Introduction

1. What is your role with respect to the Justice FVS?

Section 2: Relevance

The needs of victims of crime are well documented through studies and evaluations, the focus of these questions is on whether the needs have changed and if so what are the current and emerging needs of victims of crime since the Justice FVS was last renewed in 2010.

2. Have the needs of victims changed since 2010? If so, how?

3. Are the four main activities of the Justice FVS the most appropriate to address these needs? If not what is needed?

4. Are there areas or gaps where the Justice FVS is not meeting existing or emerging needs of victims? What are they?

5. What would be the impact regionally and nationally of not having the Justice FVS in place?

Section 3: Performance- Achievement of Outcomes

The following questions focus on the impact of the work that you are performing, as well as other related activities with which are aware, in terms of achieving the intended outcomes of the Justice FVS.

6. On a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is no extent, 3 is some extent and 5 is a great extent, to what extent has the Justice FVS strengthened federal leadership, legislation, policy and programs responsive to victim issues?

7. On a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is no extent, 3 is some extent and 5 is a great extent, to what extent has the Justice FVS enhanced capacity for the delivery of appropriate, responsive victim services?

8. On a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is no extent, 3 is some extent and 5 is a great extent, to what extent has the Justice FVS increased awareness and knowledge of victim issues, legislation and services available?

9. On a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is no extent, 3 is some extent and 5 is a great extent, to what extent has the Justice FVS increased access to services for victims interacting with the criminal justice system?

10. On a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is no extent, 3 is some extent and 5 is a great extent, to what extent has the Justice FVS reduced hardship for victims of crime?

11. The ultimate outcome of the Justice FVS is to ensure a more effective voice for victims in the criminal justice system. This is achieved by increasing and enhancing victim participation in the criminal justice system. On a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is no extent, 3 is some extent and 5 is a great extent, to what extent has the Justice FVS a more effective voice for victims in the criminal justice system?

Section 4: Performance – Efficiency and Economy:

The following questions look at how the Justice FVS is currently designed and delivered with the focus on identifying ways to create efficiencies to enhance its effectiveness with respect to achievement of outcomes and economizing costs.

12. Do you have any suggestions for improving the way in which the Justice FVS is being delivered that would improve its performance, both the achievement of objectives and/or to increase its efficiency?

Thank you for your participation.

Other Justice Canada Representatives

The Department of Justice Canada is conducting an evaluation of the work it does under the Federal Victims of Crime Strategy (Justice FVS). This evaluation is part of the regular evaluation five year cycle for all Government of Canada programs and initiatives.

The ultimate outcome of the Justice FVS is to ensure a more effective voice for victims in the criminal justice system. This is achieved by increasing and enhancing victim participation in the criminal justice system by:

Ference Weicker & Company is a management consulting firm that has been contracted by Justice Canada to assist them in conducting this evaluation. As part of this work, we would like to get input from you regarding the relevance and performance of the Justice FVS. The interview will take approximately 30 minutes to 45 minutes depending on your involvement in the Strategy. Your responses will be aggregated with those of other Departmental respondents so no individuals will be identified in the final evaluation report.

Section 1: Introduction

1. What is your role with respect to the Justice FVS?

Section 2: Relevance

The needs of victims of crime are well documented through studies and evaluations, the focus of these questions is on whether the needs have changed and if so what are the current and emerging needs of victims of crime since the Justice FVS was last renewed in 2010.

2. Have the needs of victims changed since 2010? If so, how?

3. Are the four main activities of the Justice FVS the most appropriate to address these needs? If not what is needed?

4. Are there areas or gaps where the Justice FVS is not meeting existing or emerging needs of victims? What are they?

5. What would be the impact regionally and nationally of not having the Justice FVS in place?

Section 3: Performance- Achievement of Outcomes

The following questions focus on the impact of the work that you are performing, as well as other related activities with which are aware, in terms of achieving the intended outcomes of the Justice FVS.

6. On a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is no extent, 3 is some extent and 5 is a great extent, to what extent has the Justice FVS strengthened federal leadership, legislation, policy and programs responsive to victim issues?

7. On a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is no extent, 3 is some extent and 5 is a great extent, to what extent has the Justice FVS enhanced capacity for the delivery of appropriate, responsive victim services?

8. On a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is no extent, 3 is some extent and 5 is a great extent, to what extent has the Justice FVS increased awareness and knowledge of victim issues, legislation and services available?

9. On a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is no extent, 3 is some extent and 5 is a great extent, to what extent has the Justice FVS increased access to services for victims interacting with the criminal justice system?

10. On a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is no extent, 3 is some extent and 5 is a great extent, to what extent has the Justice FVS reduced hardship for victims of crime?

11. The ultimate outcome of the Justice FVS is to ensure a more effective voice for victims in the criminal justice system. This is achieved by increasing and enhancing victim participation in the criminal justice system. On a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is no extent, 3 is some extent and 5 is a great extent, to what extent has the Justice FVS a more effective voice for victims in the criminal justice system?

Section 4: Performance – Efficiency and Economy:

The following questions look at how the Justice FVS is currently designed and delivered with the focus on identifying ways to create efficiencies to enhance its effectiveness with respect to achievement of outcomes and economizing costs.

12. Do you have any suggestions for improving the way in which the Justice FVS is being delivered that would improve its performance, both the achievement of objectives and/or to increase its efficiency?

13. What percentage of your time do you spend working on victim’s related issues? (if less than 100%)

14. Of the time spent working on victim’s related issues, what percent do you spend working on the following four main Justice FVS activities (if less than 100%, what other victims-related work do you do):

Allocation of Time on FVS Activity Percentage of Time
FPT working Group on Victims of Crime: Secretariat and Leadership?  
Victims Fund?  
Public Awareness of Victims of Crime Issues?  
Criminal Law Reform and Policy Development?  
Other (please specify)  
Total 100%

Thank you for your participation.