Victims and Survivors of Crime Week 2026 Excellence Awards

Flora Raynes (she/her)

It is our pleasure to announce that Flora Raynes, Senior Native Court Worker at Native Courtworkers and Counselling Association of British Columbia in North Vancouver, British Columbia, is the recipient of the Victims and Survivors of Crime Week 2026 Excellence in Victim Service Award.

Flora has empowered victims and survivors of crime by helping them find their voice in environments that often silence or dismiss Indigenous experiences. Flora ensures survivors understand their rights, options, and next steps. She advocates for victims when institutions fall short, reminding survivors that the injustices they face are systemic and not personal. Flora connects people to culturally safe resources and affirms that they are seen, heard, and believed. As a result of her work, many Indigenous survivors have been able to navigate the justice system with greater strength and hope. Flora has inspired other service providers through her unwavering commitment to trauma-informed advocacy. She challenges professionals to recognize systemic inequities, confront bias, and prioritize the voices and needs of Indigenous survivors. She inspires agencies to implement policies and practices that centre survivors’ safety, dignity, and empowerment. Flora has achieved meaningful change that has improved the experience of Canadian survivors of crime, particularly Indigenous individuals, by elevating standards of care across organizations, improving access to resources, increasing trust in the justice system and ensuring that survivors are treated with fairness and humanity. Flora’s advocacy has led to tangible improvements in how court and justice processes accommodate survivors. Her input has strengthened awareness among justice professionals of the unique challenges faced by Indigenous survivors.

Award Recipient Biography

Flora is a highly respected First Nations advocate who has dedicated over 33 years to supporting Indigenous people within the justice system. As a long-serving Native Court Worker, she is a trusted cultural and legal support for youth, families, and community members navigating police interactions, court processes, and systemic inequities. For decades, she provided culturally safe guidance to survivors, families, Elders and frontline workers. She works to ensure that vulnerable Indigenous clients are heard, respected, and supported in their experiences with the justice system. Her impact has shaped the lives of countless individuals and strengthened community well-being across generations.

Flora completed the core training required for Native Court Workers in British Columbia, including programs delivered through the Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of BC (NCCABC) and the Justice Institute of British Columbia. Flora has continued to advance her knowledge through ongoing professional development in Gladue principles, wellness-centred justice approaches, and culturally grounded case management.

Flora is known for going far beyond offering guidance, advocacy, and a steady presence for clients facing challenges. She regularly volunteers her time at local cultural gatherings, wellness events, and community forums that strengthen Indigenous voices and foster safer, more inclusive spaces. Flora is widely recognized by colleagues, community partners, and the families she supports for her integrity, reliability, and genuine care.

Dylan Schott (she/her)

It is our pleasure to announce that Dylan Schott, Volunteer Crisis Counsellor, is the recipient of the Victims and Survivors of Crime Week 2026 Excellence in Volunteer Victim Service Award. Dylan volunteers at Victims Service Toronto, Ontario, and she is actively applying to medical school.

Dylan has empowered human trafficking survivors by supporting their healing from exploitation through art. Her work creating an art exhibit allowed survivors to publicly share their stories through photography and painting. Her innovative programming modeled trauma-informed practices and empowered survivors with support that affirms dignity and centres choice, helping to inspire her colleagues and raise organizational standards. Dylan recognized that exposure offers human trafficking survivors a unique form of support that extends beyond traditional counselling or art therapy, creating meaningful change that has improved the experiences of those impacted by crime

Dylan is an emerging leader whose survivor-centred approach will shape healthcare and victim services in Canada for years to come.

Her work exemplifies the importance of embedding survivor-centred principles early in the training of physicians. Her path shows how dedicated volunteers can create lasting change that improves the care survivors receive today and, in the decades ahead.

Award Recipient Biography

Dylan Schott has been a Volunteer Crisis Counsellor at Victim Services Toronto (VST) since 2025, providing crisis intervention, grounding, safety planning, and emotional support to survivors of human trafficking, gender-based violence, sexual assault, and sudden trauma.

While completing her Bachelor of Medical Sciences (Honours) and Studio Art Certificate, she created Exposure, an innovative trauma-informed art-therapy program for trafficking survivors. She designed the curriculum, provided individual support, and managed all logistics. The program culminated in the Exposure Project Exhibition at the Art Gallery of Ontario in 2025, a sold-out event that hosted more than 100 guests, raised over $10,000 for survivor-artists and showcased survivor-created art. Its impact was highlighted at the 2025 VST Chief’s Gala.

Alongside her work at VST, Dylan volunteers as a researcher with the Health Equity Data Initiative and Urology and General Surgery at SickKids. At the McEwan Stem Cell Institute at the University Health Network, she conducts research on stem-cell-based treatments for Type 1 Diabetes. She is the Founder and CEO of Handmade Crochet Studios.

Jeremy Anderson (he/him)

It is our pleasure to announce Staff Sergeant Jeremy Anderson, Program Manager, Provincial General Investigation Section for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) – Saskatchewan as the recipient of the Victims and Survivors of Crime Week 2026 Excellence in Victim-Centered Policing Award.

S/Sgt Anderson consistently prioritized the dignity, safety, and well-being of victims and survivors of crime, especially those affected by sexual violence. Through his involvement in Sexual Assault Investigation Review Committees (SAIRC) and proactive reviews of sexual-offence investigations, he advanced accountability, reduced barriers, and increased trust in law enforcement. S/Sgt Anderson led division-wide training on trauma-informed interviewing, respectful communication, and cultural awareness, giving investigators the capacity to respond to the needs of victims and survivors of crime while minimizing re-traumatization. By working closely with community partners, he has fostered a culture of empathy and inclusivity, ensuring victims feel genuinely heard and supported. Through his leadership he has inspired investigators to prioritize victims’ needs and uphold the highest standards of service. S/Sgt. Anderson integrated victim rights education into divisional training programs, creating a culture where victim empowerment is a priority. His efforts guarantee that victims are not only informed of their rights but also supported in exercising them, fostering trust and confidence in the justice system.

Award Recipient Biography

Staff Sergeant Jeremy Anderson began his law-enforcement career with the Canada Border Services Agency in 2002 before joining the RCMP in 2004. He served across Saskatchewan in Sandy Bay, Melfort, Pelican Narrows, and North Battleford, where he became Sergeant and unit commander of Provincial GIS in 2016. Promoted to Staff Sergeant in 2020, he now oversees all four Provincial GIS units as Program Manager.

Since 2021, S/Sgt. Anderson has chaired the divisional Sexual Assault Investigation Review Committee, leading civilian partnered reviews to strengthen investigative quality and accountability. As a subject matter expert in sexual offence investigations, he helped modernize divisional and national policies, delivered specialized training, and launched quarterly reviews of active files to identify trends and improve investigative standards. His professional training includes Major Crimes Investigative Techniques, Advanced Sexual Offences Investigation, Trauma-Informed Approaches, Sexual Offence Investigations, and Cultural Diversity Education. He holds a Criminal Justice Diploma from Lethbridge College.

S/Sgt. Anderson is also a committed community volunteer, coaching youth soccer and football and serving as a minor hockey team treasurer. His service has been recognized with the RCMP 20-Year Long Service Medal, the Queen’s Diamond (2012) and Platinum Jubilee (2023) Medals, multiple Commanding Officer’s Certificates of Appreciation, and a Major Crimes Branch Certificate of Appreciation for his role in developing the Sexual Offence Investigation Workshop.

Maria McDonald (she/her)

It is our pleasure to announce that Maria McDonald, Victim Support Crown Counsel, Complex Prosecutions Bureau (CPB) at Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General in Ottawa, Ontario, is the recipient of the Victims and Survivors of Crime Week 2026 Excellence in Legal Practice and Victim Support Award.

Maria has shown an exceptional capacity to support victims of crime through trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and dignity-centred practice. She helped lead the Ontario Provincial Police’s (OPP) Victim-Centered Approach and Mass Casualty Framework, establishing the Victim Specialist Program and integrating culturally relevant supports, including those for Indigenous communities. Internationally, her nine years on the Operation Kenova Victim Focus Group strengthened engagement in a complex legacy investigation now recognized as a global model. Through her work with the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, the International Network Supporting Victims of Terrorism and Mass Violence (INVICTM), international advisory bodies, and as a barrister she has advanced victim-centred principles and trauma-aware best practices that ensure victims are protected, informed, and supported. Across all roles, she models ethical, culturally sensitive engagement that inspires others to champion compassionate, victim-centred approaches. Maria is deeply committed to ensuring victims of crime are informed about their rights, services, and legal processes. She helped embed strong information-sharing practices into the OPP Victim-Centered Approach and Mass Casualty Framework, ensuring practitioners know when and how to provide essential details to victims and families. She is known for translating complex procedures into plain language and proactively guiding victims, so they are never left to navigate systems alone. Through policy work, advisory roles, and direct support, she has ensured victims remain informed and able to make decisions with clarity, confidence, and dignity.

Award Recipient Biography

Maria has held key roles across Canada’s justice system, including her current position as Victim Support Crown Counsel in the Ministry of the Attorney General’s Complex Prosecution Bureau, where she develops victim-centred frameworks and supports complex prosecutions. Her previous roles include leading the OPP’s Protecting Public-Facing Professionals Online (3PO) initiative, contributing to policy and service improvements at the Immigration and Refugee Board, and serving as Deputy Director with the OPP, where she helped modernize victim-centred policing and coordinated responses to mass-casualty events.

Before returning to Canada, Maria practiced as a barrister in Ireland for over a decade, appearing in civil and criminal courts and contributing to national and European level work on human rights and victims’ rights. She also played major leadership roles with the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) National Working Group on Supporting Victims of Terrorism and Mass Violence, the Leadership in Counter Terrorism Alumni Association, and in international publications and training initiatives.

Maria’s commitment extends far beyond formal duties: she supports victims, families, and first responders at all hours, contributes voluntarily to projects like the nine-year Operation Kenova Victim Focus Group, and remains active in her community as a youth hockey manager. Her contributions have earned significant recognition, including the OPP Commissioner’s Gold Medal and the Global Light of Hope Award.

Ericka Boateng (she/her)

It is our pleasure to announce that Ericka Boateng, a student at Ontario Tech University in Oshawa, Ontario, is the recipient of the Victims and Survivors of Crime Week, 2026 Student Video Competition Award. For this competition, students were asked to submit a video entry reflecting on the theme for Victims Week: The Power of Collaboration.

Watch the video

Award Recipient Biography

Ericka is a fourth-year student at Ontario Tech University, where she is pursuing a degree in Criminology and Justice Studies. She has developed a strong academic interest in victimology, with a particular focus on how the justice system engages with and supports victims and survivors. She is committed to ensuring that their perspectives are not only acknowledged but meaningfully considered in both policy and practice.

Her winning video examines the experiences of victims and emphasizes the importance of awareness, empathy, and informed responses from both communities and institutions. Ericka’s video demonstrates her ability to engage critically with complex issues and communicate them in a clear and accessible way.

Ericka aims to pursue opportunities that will allow her to contribute to the development of more inclusive and victim-centred practices within the justice system.