Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General

Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General

The ministry works to maintain and enhance public safety across British Columbia. The portfolio of the ministry includes: corrections; coroners services; law enforcement; crime prevention; victim services; hazard mitigation; emergency management and response; road safety; fire prevention, life safety and property protection; consumer protection; civil forfeiture; and human trafficking. The Solicitor General is also responsible for the Crown corporation – Insurance Corporation of B.C.

Victim Services and Crime Prevention Division

The division has several distinct program areas. The crime prevention program area provides a comprehensive response to crime by working with community groups, schools, youth groups, businesses, service organizations, police and all levels of government to help British Columbians build and maintain safe communities.

The victim services program area is the provincial centre of responsibility for victims of crime, domestic violence, for children who witness abuse and multicultural outreach.

Crime Prevention:

• provides leadership, advice, training and expertise on community safety issues;
• establishes and maintains partnerships with organizations, communities and government to ensure coordinated and comprehensive services;
• provides operational funding to key community justice and crime prevention organizations to support services to communities throughout British Columbia;
• provides funding to support the development of volunteer-based community accountability programs that embrace the principles of restorative justice;
• supports and oversees the Youth Against Violence Line (YAVL) 1-800-680-4264 that provides a safe, confidential means of preventing and reporting incidents of youth violence or crime or seeking assistance from local police; and,
• administers the annual Solicitor General Community Safety and Crime Prevention Awards which recognize individuals, groups and programs that have made outstanding contributions to crime prevention and community safety.

Victim Services:

Victim Services and Crime Prevention Division also offers programs that support victims of crime and their families, victims of domestic/family violence and for children who witness abuse. They also have Violence Against Women programs, Stopping the Violence counseling programs and multicultural outreach programs. See the Victim Services website for more details.