Funding to Support Victims and Survivors of Sexual Offences – Victims Fund (Canada)

The Department of Justice Canada is offering funding under the Federal Victims Strategy (FVS) through the Victims Fund to support projects and activities that improve access to justice for victims and survivors of sexual offences. This call supports initiatives such as trauma-informed services, training for criminal justice professionals, and trauma-informed, victim-centred approaches to restorative justice where feasible and appropriate. Applications are accepted from 14 September 2026 to 26 October 2026, with a deadline of 12:00 p.m. (noon) Pacific Time (PT) on 26 October 2026. The Federal Victims Strategy (FVS) is led by the Department of Justice Canada and aims to improve access to justice for victims and survivors of crime and give them a more effective voice in the criminal justice system. The Victims Fund is a component of the FVS. It provides grants and contributions to support projects and activities that encourage new approaches, promote access to justice, strengthen service provider capacity, foster referral networks, and/or increase awareness of services available to victims and survivors of crime and their families. For this initiative, the call considers offences that have any sexual aspect, consistent with the Criminal Code reference described in the source. The crimes do not have to have been reported to police. This call for proposals invites applicants to submit project proposals that contribute to one or more Victims Fund objectives, including: Award limits, cost-sharing requirements, and restrictions: Not specified in the source. Eligible applicant types and organizational eligibility criteria: Not specified in the source. What the source does specify is the scope of the work the call will support, including projects and activities related to:

Important clarification: The Victims Fund does not provide criminal injuries compensation for victims of crime.

The call supports projects and activities that include (but are not limited to) the following types: This Victims Fund call is designed to strengthen how the justice system responds to sexual offences by improving access to justice and supporting victims and survivors through trauma-informed, victim-centred approaches. It also emphasizes practical capacity-building—such as training for criminal justice professionals and first responders—and encourages initiatives that address service gaps across the justice process. For organizations working with victims and survivors, the call’s focus on trauma-informed services, coercive control awareness, and tailored support for underserved communities aligns with common needs in victim support and justice participation.

Official opportunity page: Funding to Support Victims and Survivors of Sexual Offences – Victims Fund (Department of Justice Canada)

(General advice only—selection criteria and scoring details are not provided in the supplied text.)

1) What is the Victims Fund under the Federal Victims Strategy?

The Victims Fund is a component of the Federal Victims Strategy led by the Department of Justice Canada. It provides grants and contributions to support projects and activities that improve access to justice and strengthen support for victims and survivors of crime, including sexual offences.

2) What is the application deadline for this call?

Applications must be submitted by 12: 00 p.m. (noon) Pacific Time (PT), 26 October 2026.

3) What kinds of offences does this call cover?

The source indicates that offences with any sexual aspect are considered, and projects related to supporting victims and survivors of any offence that is sexual in nature or committed for a sexual purpose are in scope. The crimes do not have to have been reported to police.

4) Does the Victims Fund provide criminal injuries compensation?

No. The source explicitly states that the Victims Fund does not provide criminal injuries compensation for victims of crime.

5) What activities are eligible under this call?

Eligible activities include, among others: trauma-informed services to enhance access to justice; training for criminal justice professionals and first responders on laws relating to sexual offences; training on trauma-informed practice for restorative justice practitioners and first responders; and projects that fill gaps across the justice process or pilot tailored support services for underserved communities.

6) Who can apply?

The supplied source excerpt does not specify eligible applicant types or organizational eligibility criteria. Applicants should consult the official guidelines on the opportunity page for the complete eligibility requirements.

7) Where can I find the application instructions and required documents?

The excerpt provided does not include the application link, submission method, or document checklist. These details should be obtained from the official opportunity page and its attached guidance. If your organization supports victims and survivors of sexual offences—or provides trauma-informed services, training, or restorative justice-related programming—review the official Department of Justice Canada Victims Fund call page carefully. Confirm the complete eligibility requirements, application steps, and any required documents in the official guidance before preparing and submitting your proposal by 12:00 p.m. (noon) PT on 26 October 2026.