TORONTO - The Ontario government has set up a fund meant to help victims of crime and their families navigate the justice system.
The province announced on Sunday it will spend $900,000 over three years to tackle some of the challenges victims and their families face when attending trials.
The Vulnerable Victims and Family Fund will help cover travel costs related to court appearances and make sure interpreters are available during criminal trials, Attorney General Chris Bentley said Sunday.
The money will also ensure victims with disabilities have access to technology such as real-time captioning to help them testify, he said.
"There have been a number of instances over the past several years ... where families want to be there for the court proceedings, but boy, it can get expensive if you're travelling," Bentley said.
"It can be frustrating" for victims, who are already under considerable stress, he said.
Bentley said he hopes the fund will help ease that burden.
Victims and their families will be able to apply for support through a website starting May 1.
Money for the program will come from the province's Victims Justice Fund.
The Victims Justice Fund comes from court-imposed provincial offences and Criminal Code fines.
The announcement coincided with the launch of National Victims of Crime Awareness Week.
The province came under fire last month after a mother was denied crime victim compensation because she didn't witness her son's murder.
Liz Hoage was denied compensation by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board because she did not witness the murder of her 16-year-old son, who was stabbed to death in 2007.
Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak called the decision "appalling" and promised to reform the board if elected in October.
Bentley said ministry staff are working to remedy the problem.
