Grants and Contributions

This funding will support the Therapeutic Justice Program (TJP) to reduce recidivism, reduce overrepresentation of indigenous offenders in the justice system, increase front-line services to Nunavummiut for mental health issues, substance abuse and trauma, and enhance community-resource capacity by empowering local leaders and organizations. The TJP will offer an alternative to incarceration in the sentencing process by offering a clinical and cultural approach to address the underlying reasons for the criminal behaviour.

The program will offer guidance, assistance, and support to women in the Montreal area who wish to leave the sex industry or who are victims of sexual exploitation, in order to regain good psychological and financial health, and acquire the skills necessary to take control of their lives. The program is based on a direct and comprehensive intervention model with a motivational approach. The program will aim for a step-by-step method. The first step focuses on early intervention directly on the victims and survivor’s environment. The second step aims for support directed toward social reintegration. The third step focuses on consolidating gains and maintaining a stable life.

The Journey to Justice Program will support survivors of sex trafficking as they navigate the complexities of the criminal justice system. The program will provide trauma-informed, survivor-centered advocacy and support to survivors through every stage of the legal process—from initial contact with police services to court proceedings and post-court support. The program can be accessed by survivors through self or community partner referral, at any time throughout their justice journey. In addition to support with the criminal justice system, the program will provide individualized case management to support survivors in creating and implementing their journey to justice plan which survivors have indicated must include life stabilization support and/or alternatives to justice outside of the criminal justice system. Through individualized case management, including justice system navigation, life stabilization support and internal referrals to London Abused Women’s Centre’s Anti-Human Trafficking Phoenix Program for counselling and advocacy services, the program will help women and girls with lived and living experience of sex trafficking understand their rights, connect with legal resources, and make informed decisions. The goal of the program is to reduce retraumatization and promote healing by ensuring survivors are heard and supported.

The organization will offer a program for victims and survivors of human trafficking, sexual exploitation, abuse and addictions that offers immediate safe and supported housing, a four-month life-skills program and individualized case planning and client support. The goals of the program are to encourage growth, build resilience and empower participants to become independent and safe individuals.

The Province of Nova Scotia will undertake several activities over five fiscal years to advance victim services and access to justice for victims, while giving victims a more effective voice in the criminal justice system in Nova Scotia. Planned activities include support services of an Indigenous Victim Case Worker; Victim Services Navigator Supports; and implementation of the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights through a designated Restitution Coordinator.

The organization will provide their Sex Trafficking Response Training to build a formalized network of service providers and responders to better support those affected by sex trafficking. The organization will collaborate with various sectors to provide this trauma-informed training to prosecutors, police, medical personnel and the Gender Based Violence (GBV) sector to improve the identification, investigation, prosecution and supports available to victims and survivors of sex trafficking. The goals of this network will be to build interagency collaboration as well as build survivor-centered and consistent response protocols throughout New Brunswick to ultimately support the well-being of victims and survivors of sex trafficking and improve their access to justice and services.

The organization will provide a comprehensive victim support program to deliver programs and individualized support plans for victims and survivors of human trafficking that focus on personal and professional development and support positive long-term outcomes. The organization will also implement organizational capacity building, both internally and externally, through low-to-no-cost training programs like Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, Mandt non-violent crisis intervention training, Mental Health First Aid and their Sex Work 101 capacity training. Additionally, their extended staff team will receive necessary training, so their program delivery is trauma-informed and tailored to the needs of the individual. The organization will engage in knowledge sharing and dissemination, to communicate best practices and continue to develop their community of care for program users and residents.

The project will publish the 4th French edition and the first English translation of Language Rights in Canada. This edition will provide a vital bilingual resource for practitioners and students of official language law.

The project will provide coordinated, trauma-informed support before, during, and after court, enabling survivors to maintain stability while equipping justice partners to respond with compassion and competence. The project will be embedded within the organization’s enhanced Next Step Network, making it a ‘day one’ ready program that will provide integrated, wraparound support for survivors in long-term stabilization. By situating the Court Support stream within this established program, the project will benefit from existing trauma-informed staffing, clinical oversight through the Nurse Practitioner-led clinic, and EMHware-based reporting and evaluation systems. This structure enables immediate implementation, simplified triage, and seamless continuity of care, ensuring survivors have consistent access to mental health, housing, and peer supports from crisis through recovery and justice engagement. The project will also extend access to survivors who have been criminalized, those charged within the context of their trafficking experience or later as a result of socioeconomic marginalization. By offering non-discriminatory, trauma-informed navigation, the project will ensure that all survivors, regardless of legal status, receive equitable care and connection to supports.

To hire an Economic Development Officer for Thessalon First Nation for a period of three years to enable business development and job creation.