NEWS RELEASE
DOUG DOWNEY, BARRIE-SPRINGWATER-ORO-MEDONTE MPP
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The Ontario government is investing more than $4 million across the province to help support victims and survivors of intimate partner violence/domestic violence, human trafficking, and child exploitation.
The funding is being delivered through the Victim Support Grant program and includes $100,000 for the Barrie Police Service (BPS).
Barrie Police Service will work with the Barrie Native Friendship Centre (BNFC) and Victim Services of Simcoe County (VSSC) to address the significant human trafficking problems in Barrie. Funding will help BNFC to create a lived-experience peer support group to assist survivors, enable VSSC to extend its human trafficking survivor supports and allow the BPS to create a committee to enhance officer understanding and recognition of human trafficking.
“This funding allows for a varied and comprehensive approach to addressing the human trafficking crisis in our community,” said Doug Downey, MPP for Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte. “Our community partners are the boots on the ground, dealing with these issues and addressing survivors’ needs daily. This grant will help ensure that this important work continues and that awareness and support for victims of human trafficking increases.”
“Support for victims and survivors is a crucial first step to recovery,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “This important grant is part of our government’s plan to combat violent crime on our streets and ensure that victims are not left behind.”
“Our government is invested in fighting crime in our communities,” said Andrea Khanjin, MPP for Barrie-Innisfil. “This $100,000 investment will strengthen the services provided by Barrie Native Friendship Centre, Victim Services of Simcoe County and the Barrie Police Service that address the significant human trafficking problems in Barrie.”
The Victim Support Grant is part of Ontario’s Guns, Gangs and Violence Reduction Strategy and complements the province’s $307-million Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy, 2020-2025, and Combating Human Trafficking Act, 2021.
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