Ontario Supporting Victims and Survivors of Crime

April 25, 2025

The Smiths Falls Police Service will receive $150,000 to help expand services for victims of sex crimes

April 25, 2025

Smiths Falls  — The Ontario government is investing more than $3 million to support victims and survivors of crime. The funding is being delivered through the Victim Support Grant (VSG) program and includes $150,000 for the Smiths Falls Police Service.

The Smiths Falls Police Service will work with local partners to increase supports for victims of sex crimes. This will be achieved through the enhancement of technology-based investigative tools, police officer training, and support for community partners who have mandates and programming to support victims.

“This funding is extremely vital to establishing and enhancing a wide range of resources that allow police and partner agencies to respond effectively and empathetically to victims and survivors,” said MPP John Jordan, Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston. “The collaborative impact between these partners means help will be available when it’s needed most.”

“We’re excited to have received this much needed Victim Support Grant to support victims of violence in our community,” said Jodi Empey, Chief of the Smiths Falls Police Service. “Part of this grant will be utilized to off-set costs for further officer training and technology in regard to cases of sexual assault, domestic violence, child exploitation and abuse, elder abuse, human trafficking and trauma informed interviewing as some examples. A portion will also be given to Lanark County Interval House Victim Advocate to support education and prevention in child exploitation and abuse, human trafficking and healthy relationships, to the Perth and Smiths Falls Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Program to help fund their onsite immediate trauma counselling and to support Big Brothers Big Sisters WAK program who work directly with at risk youths in preventing victimization. We will continue with our commitment to work collectively in hopes of reducing these crimes.”

“Our government recognizes the devastating impact that crime can have on its victims and survivors,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “Through this grant program, we’re helping to ensure that victims of crime feel safe and supported.”  

The Victim Support Grant is part of Ontario’s Guns, Gangs and Violence Reduction Strategy and complements the province’s $307 million Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy, 2020-2025 and Combating Human Trafficking Act, 2021.

QUICK FACTS

    • All municipal and First Nation police services, as well as municipalities policed by the Ontario Provincial Police, are eligible to apply for funding through the VSG program.

    MEDIA CONTACT

    MPP John Jordan, Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston

    www.johnjordanmpp.ca

    613-284-1630 

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