Victim Services of Durham Region Receives Award of Distinction

Victim Services of Durham Region recently received an Attorney’s General Award of Distinction. The 2021-22 Attorney General’s Victim Services Awards of Distinction recognize the dedication and achievements of individuals and organizations working to support people who have experienced victimization due to crime and raise awareness of victims’ issues in Ontario.

Going above and beyond isn’t an accurate description of what the Victim Services of Durham Region team does. Not only does this small but mighty team of 15 regularly exceed community expectations, it also impacts survivors on a global scale. This year alone, team members have been acknowledged on three separate occasions in the House of Commons for their advocacy of legislation aimed at improving the protection of victims. Team members also sit on national and international research committees, speak on panels and at webinars and influence policy and practices to put survivors at the forefront of change. In October 2021, the Durham Region Human Trafficking team, consisting of Victim Services of Durham Region staff, police and community partners, received international recognition at the United Nations and OSCE event in Italy for their ground-breaking survivor-led response to human trafficking.

Victim Services agencies across the country provide crisis response, system navigation and practical assistance to those impacted by some of the most heinous crimes and traumatic circumstances imaginable.

The front-line, prevention, administrative and leadership staff from this team support over 11,000 individuals annually through combined school-based, community, health-care based education and prevention programs, and direct client service.  Team members support each other to ensure that each and every member maintains the strength, courage and resilience needed to ensure the entire team never stops breaking the glass ceiling when it comes to the impact they can make.  They defend and advocate for clients like it were their own family members. There is no greater example of going above and beyond than to give of yourself in the way that every member of this team does.