Families Against Crime & Trauma / F.A.C.T.

May 27, 2008 marked a monumental day for Families Against Crime & Trauma (F.A.C.T.), and its members across Canada . For months the members of the board have been working alongside New Democrat MLA Mike Farnworth, for Coquitlam/Burke Mountain, drafting the Victims of Crime Compensation Bill. When we first approached Mr. Farnworth with the need to see this Bill implemented, Mr. Farnworth was very supportive, and we soon began reviewing all pertinent statutes in BC.

F.A.C.T. had come across a newly enacted piece of legislation in Quebec , called Bill 58, and wanted to use this as a guide for their own private members Bill. The only difference was that we wanted to see that victims of Crime would be able to collect Employment Insurance during their leave. Bill 58 really only protected the person’s employment position and guaranteed them their same position for 104 weeks, but this would be without pay.

F.A.C.T. has seen first hand the financial devastation the families suffer due to the loss of a loved one to a violent crime. Most of us have lost a child or a loved one, and have almost lost everything else in our lives due to the fact that we were unable to return to work. Many of us forced back to work months, or even weeks after the death of our loved ones. This is unacceptable, and it is time for our Government to recognise the victims of Crime in this capacity.

It is a devastating and emotionally jarring experience to be harmed by another’s criminal act. It is senseless and profoundly unfair that innocent people die and are seriously injured simply because of such unfortunate circumstances beyond their control.

While programs and services are in place to rehabilitate criminals and to protect the public from being victims of crime, they have not eliminated crime, and thus innocent people continue to be victims of crime. This Act recognizes the importance of compensation for individuals who experience long-term physical and emotional trauma when these systems fail. Victims and their families deserve compensation for the harm that they experience due to crime. In many cases, they are unable to work for a period of time, and may lose not only wages, but also a job to return to.

This Act joins Quebec in recognizing that victims of crime are entitled to a two year unpaid leave of absence from their employment, with right to return to their previous position thereafter. In addition, it links this statutory right to the Crime Victim Assistance Act in order to ensure that they receive adequate compensation for income loss during this time.

While the F.A.C.T. Board stayed behind in Vancouver to address the media, Mr. Farnworth stood in the BC Legislature representing the victims/families of crime. The wait was excruciating for us, as we were anxious to hear of the outcome of the first reading. Mr. Farnworth released a statement to the media in which he stated the introduction of this legislation today would provide grief leave and job security for victims of crime and their families.

"People who experience long-term physical and emotional trauma as a result of violent crime may need time from work and they need to know they have a job to come back to. Farnsworth’s Victims of Crime Compensation Act entitles crime victims to a two-year unpaid leave of absence from their work with the right to return to their previous position.

Mr. Farnworth also stated that "It is a devastating and an emotionally jarring experience to be harmed by another's criminal act; Victims of crime in British Columbia do not currently have the security of being able to take unpaid leave from work and have their job there when they return."

British Columbia is behind other provinces such as Quebec who have already adopted similar legislation. We are also asking the province to lobby the federal government to make victim of crimes eligible for Employment Insurance. "In 2001, the Campbell government cut funding for victims services and programs to the detriment of victims of crime," said Farnworth. "For too long the concerns of victims of crime have been ignored," said Farnworth. "It's time to put an end to that."

Mr. Farnworth read the Private Members Bill and was met by applause by his peers, but utter silence from the Government. This was to be expected, but we will not allow them to refuse this Bill. If every Canadian who has ever been affected by a violent crime or those who see the devastation the victims/families suffer would rise up in support of this Bill, we would then be able to ensure its enactment.

We call upon all of those who believe in our cause to stand in support of this Bill, and force our Government to see that it proceeds through the stages. Should the Government choose to dismiss this Bill we will ask that you all write, call, do whatever necessary to voice your outrage. Together all of us from across Canada can work together to pressure the Government to pass this Bill.

This is a very promising day for F.A.C.T. and its members, and our intention is that this Bill will only be the first of many legislative changes to come, as we strive to ensure the rights of victims of crime, and the safety and security of Canadian families.

For more information about this Bill, please contact Sandra at sandra@familiesagainstcrime.org