Victim Services Program of Toronto

They pretend to help but the referrals they give you are beyond sub par. They provide you with referrals that attack you for existing and provide counselling that is done by unskilled students -- this is when you have experienced a trauma. And it will be months later and you will be told your case is so important that the manager has your file on her desk. But she will never contact you. Why, because your concerns are about the mistreatment of the disabled and they don't exist as people in this city and don't deserve adequate or fair treatment. To boot, the last therapist I spoke was yawning on the phone while I talked to him about my sexual assault and how nobody cares to do anything about it. Apparently, this was too trivial for him!!!

They don't actually advocate for victims or represent victim interests. If the police won't take you seriously, there is essentially no real organization to represent victim rights or enforce themThe referrals they give are ones you can find on your own. The criteria for being put in a hotel for security reasons is absurdly high, when hotels are not even that secure in the first place unless you have 24/7 security outside your door.Tbh, I don't undersrand the real purpose that this organization serves other than drain taxpayers' money and give the illusion that there are resources for victims of crime.

They were very helpful.

So disappointed by these services. I regret ever involving the police or asking for help in the first place. Initially I had so much hope because I had nobody else to help me but I felt strung along until they told me my services with them was over but I was never given a proper solution. I am now facing risk of becoming homeless because I wasn't able to leave my abusive apartment since living alone is very expensive and I can't afford it. I feel like the trauma I experienced didn't matter and now I don't even know if I'll be okay. I feel traumatized that I shared such personal details about myself to not receive any help at all. I feel like a burden to society.

I used the helpline to get some quick support. Nicole really helped me out and calmed me down.

Do not offer much support. Most employees you reach pass the responsibility on to someone else or a different department. The services offered are poor quality and with long waiting lists. So bad, that they in fact suggest you actually just go and find your own support, if you can afford it. Keep victims in the dark surrounding updates in their case files. Almost zero communication, leaving victims vulnerable.

Our case manager was amazing, she always contacted us to make sure everything is going well and helped us in difficult times. I think the program itself needs improvement. Victims of crime shouldn't need to be concerned regarding the budgeting of financial resources that the service can provide. Being concerned that you reached your limit for medical expenses and/or transportation shouldn't have to be a issue. I think it really is a funding issue here. Given that previously the service had more financial resources for victims of crimes in 2019 and then moving to VQRP+, it really does not help as much. I think the program should shift to a long-term service help for victim of crime because the trauma and aftermath is not short-term.

So disappointing. At this moment, I feel that there was no point of involving the police. The detective we dealt with was condescending, demeaning, and frankly rude. It felt as if every word expressed to them was analyzed only for errors. At no point, did I feel safe or supported. Educating a victim on what to do in the future, should not feel patronizing. Also, no one should feel that they are being rushed within the process. We understand that officers, do face a lot of backlash and negativity, but do not express that attitude with me or any victim. EVER! A victim should not ever feel deterred to speak to police. A victim should be respected from start to finish, no matter how they perceive the incident.