About Us
The Ontario Network of Victim Service Providers (ONVSP) is a unifying umbrella organization representing 41 distinct Victim Service agencies across the province. Each of these locations brings unique strengths, perspectives, and community-based approaches to supporting individuals affected by crime and tragic circumstances.
ONVSP exists to strengthen collaboration, foster knowledge-sharing, and provide a collective support system for frontline victim service providers. Through this coordinated network, agencies are better equipped to deliver consistent, high-quality, and trauma-informed care—no matter where in Ontario a victim may reside.
More than just a support structure, ONVSP serves as the unified voice of Victim Services in Ontario. We advocate for systemic improvements, policy changes, and equitable resources that reflect the real and evolving needs of victims. Our goal is to advance and protect the rights of all victims, ensuring their safety, dignity, and access to justice are at the forefront of public policy and service delivery.
Victim Services
Victim Crisis Assistance Ontario (VCAO) programs—also known as Victim Services organizations—began as modest referral agencies and, over the past 35 years, have grown into trusted pillars of safety, support, and stability in communities across Ontario. Today, they are an essential part of Ontario’s Emergency Services network.
VCAO teams provide immediate, confidential support and practical assistance to individuals affected by crime, tragic circumstances, and sudden loss. These highly trained professionals use their frontline expertise and compassion to help victims cope with trauma, ensure their immediate safety, and begin the process of healing. They guide victims through complex systems, including social services, the justice process, and healthcare, with dignity and care.
Each VCAO site operates with a strong focus on safety, security, and stabilization—ensuring that victims are not alone during moments of crisis. Whether responding alongside first responders or following up after the initial incident, VCAO programs offer critical, trauma-informed support when it is needed most.
The sector continues to evolve in response to the changing needs of victims and communities, adapting its services to address emerging forms of harm, build resilience, and reinforce the right of every person to feel safe and supported.
VCAO sites are led by dedicated Executive staff and Boards of Directors who make a deep emotional and professional commitment to the principle of equal rights and equitable services for all victims in Ontario. Their leadership turns this principle into action, working tirelessly to ensure that no victim is left behind.
As a sector of victim service experts, we provide compassionate, nonjudgmental support to all individuals impacted by crime or tragic circumstances. We are united through the Ontario Network of Victim Service Providers (ONVSP), sharing a collective vision for a victim-centered, inclusive, and coordinated system of care across the province.
Together, we leverage our combined knowledge, lived experience, and professional expertise to advocate for meaningful change—often at great cost to our resources and staff—because we know that victims deserve more. Our unity strengthens our impact, and our commitment drives us forward in building a safer, more supportive Ontario for all.
VQRP+
The Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+) is a provincially funded initiative under the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS), designed to provide immediate, short-term financial assistance to victims of violent crime, their immediate family members, and witnesses who are impacted by the trauma of the event.
Administered locally through Victim Crisis Assistance Ontario (VCAO) organizations, VQRP+ offers timely and compassionate support by covering essential expenses that arise in the immediate aftermath of a crime. These may include emergency accommodations, transportation, meals, clothing, crime scene clean-up, funeral costs, and personal safety measures such as home security upgrades.
Eligibility criteria and funding amounts are determined by MCCSS and are applied consistently across the province to ensure equitable access to support. VCAO staff work closely with victims to assess their needs and facilitate access to eligible support under the program guidelines.
By addressing urgent practical needs and removing financial barriers to safety and recovery, VQRP+ plays a vital role in helping victims regain a sense of control and stability. The program stands as a key part of Ontario’s commitment to a victim-centered, trauma-informed response to crime and crisis.
