REGINA – New funding to support victims of crime in Saskatchewan will be used to make it easier for children to testify in court.
The federal government announced $1.8 million to install video conferencing and witness screens so that child victims don’t have to see the accused.
Get daily National news
Victims advocates say the measures will reduce fear so young victims can give a candid account of evidence.
Saskatchewan Justice Minister Don Morgan says in the past, victims’ needs have often been left behind in the justice system and the changes go a long way to correcting that problem.
The funding will give families of missing persons easier access to specialized support and services.
It will also be used to boost services for victims in northern Saskatchewan, where the police-reported violent crime rate in 2010 was about six times higher than the provincial average.
Comments