Victims and Survivors of Crime Week 2023 Call for Workshop Proposals

Important Information

Closing date for submission of applications is Friday, March 3, 2023 at 12:00 noon Pacific Standard Time.

If you do not receive a confirmation within one week of your application submission, please email vwsdv@justice.gc.ca.

The 2023 Victims Week National Organizing Committee and the Policy Centre for Victim Issues would like to invite interested individuals and/or groups to submit a proposal for a workshop/presentation to be included as part of the Victims and Survivors of Crime Week virtual events, which will take place from May 15 to 19, 2023:

Online Application Form

Each available timeslot is 90 minutes in length – this includes time for a question and answer period, if needed. In an effort to showcase various aspects of a particular topic, presenters who have proposed workshops on related subjects may be asked to present with each other in the form of a panel discussion. In these instances, presenters may be asked to amend their proposed workshop to a shorter version.

Workshop Guidelines

The workshops/presentations should reflect the theme for Victims Week: “The Power of Collaboration”. This theme recognizes that:

• Over the past three decades, there have been significant advances within Canada’s criminal justice system and victim services field to increase collaboration to ensure that the system is responsive to the various needs of victims of crime.
• There is a continued need within the criminal justice system and victim services field for increased cross-sector collaboration, as well as enhanced coordination, partnerships, and multi-disciplinary responses to better support victims.
• More can be accomplished to address gaps in the continuum of services and to break down barriers for better access to the meaningful supports that victims depend on throughout the criminal justice process.

In order to facilitate a comprehensive agenda, we are seeking workshop proposals that meet one or more of the following objectives:

1. Providing specialized, practical, and evidence-based training and information to victim service providers and criminal justice professionals.
2. Sharing knowledge and delivering training in an engaging and inspiring manner.
3. Raising awareness about the issues facing victims and survivors of crime, and the services, assistance, and laws in place across Canada to help them and their families – with particular attention to current and emerging victims’ issues and emerging or promising practices.
4. Providing information on the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on victim services and the criminal justice system.

Applicants must be prepared to deliver their presentation remotely using an online platform.

Applicants must also demonstrate in their proposal how their presentation will be delivered in an accessible, culturally safe, and trauma-informed manner.

The National Organizing Committee will assess proposals based on how well they meet the objectives above.

Please note that we are seeking presenters on a volunteer basis, and no honorarium or speaker fee will be paid to presenters.

Please submit your online application form no later than Friday, March 3, 2023 at 12:00 noon Pacific Standard Time.