Those working to stop violence against women, helping Indigenous people heal from trauma, steering youth away from gang involvement, and doing other projects that benefit people and communities are invited to apply for civil forfeiture grants this fall.

“People throughout the province benefit from the programs and services funded by civil forfeiture grants,” said Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth. “By redirecting the proceeds of crime towards helping those who are most affected by it, we are building stronger, safer communities that better meet the needs of our most vulnerable.”

This year’s funding streams are focused on a number of government priorities, such as supporting women who have experienced violence, and taking action on gun and gang violence, and include:

* Crime reduction and community safety.

* Healing and rebuilding from trauma, crime or victimization in Indigenous communities.

* Increasing restorative justice program capacity.

* The prevention of and response to violence against women, including:
* Domestic violence and sexual assault.

* Human trafficking, sexual exploitation and vulnerable women in the sex trade.

* Enhancement of domestic violence units, and child and youth advocacy centres.

* Training and equipment for police to prevent crime and remediate its effects.

As in past years, the overall amount available for grants will depend on the value of cases concluded by British Columbia’s Civil Forfeiture Office (CFO) during the current fiscal year, with grants awarded by the end of March 2018. The CFO works to undermine the profit motive behind unlawful activity by taking away tools and proceeds of that activity, with the vast majority of cases linked to drug, gang and organized crime.

Details of the grant submission process – which is open from Nov. 9 to Dec. 15 – are available online.

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