If you are of a victim of a crime that is happening right now, call 911 immediately.

If you are the victim of a crime that has already happened and you are not in immediate danger, call your local police. Explain to the officer exactly what happened. You will need to provide information and ask questions. This is a stressful time, so be aware of your emotions. The police officer will take your information and make a police report.

If you are the victim of a crime and you would rather not talk to the police, contact VictimLinkBC at 1-800-563-0808. This is a free, confidential, multilingual telephone service in BC. It is open 24 hours every day. The victim will be given information about what to do. Support is given to victims of family and sexual violence.

If you are the victim of crime and a person is charged with the crime and goes to court, you may be asked to testify or to provide a victim impact statement. Your testimony – the information you provide – may be very important to the trial. If the person is found guilty, your victim impact statement will be considered when the judge determines sentencing. Learn more about Victim Impact Statements.

VictimsInfo.ca is a website that provides a range of helpful information and videos about being a victim of crime or a witness to crime. The website includes the following information…

• Attending a Parole Hearing: Victims as well as members of the public may, with permission, attend parole board hearings. Downloadable forms, resource links and an instructional video will prepare you to attend parole board hearings.
• Victim Impact Statements: A Victim Impact Statement describes how a crime has affected you. Downloadable forms, resource links and an instructional video help you complete a statement.
• Going to Court: Information, resource links and an instructional video provide an introduction to going to court in BC. Topics include Court and You as well as Help to Prepare.
• Reporting a Crime: Information, resources and links provide guidance on how to report a crime. Topics include “When There is a Duty Under the Law to Report a Crime to the Police” as well as “What Happens After a Crime is Reported”.

The Parole Board of Canada has a series of fact sheets for victims of crime:

• Receiving Information HTML | PDF
• Providing Information HTML | PDF
• Observing a Hearing HTML | PDF
• Presenting a Statement HTML | PDF
• Recording a Statement HTML | PDF
• Statement Checklist HTML | PDF
• Elder-Assisted Hearings HTML | PDF
• Submitting a Complaint HTML | PDF
• Changes to Some Conditional Release Reviews HTML | PDF

Victims of Break and Enter

Break and Enter is a criminal offence in which someone enters a residence, business or other property without permission, and commits or intends to commit a crime, typically theft. Break and enter is one of the most common property offences in Canada.

Break and enter can have many negative consequences for victims, both financially and psychologically. Victims of break and enter can be left with not only the loss of valuable possessions but also the loss of a sense of safety and security. If you or someone you know is a victim of break and enter, help is available through victim services and other resources.

To learn more about Break and Enter, see the Help Starts Here infosheet.

What to do next?

• If your home has just been broken into and the perpetrator is still there or nearby, call 911 from a safe place.
• If you want to report the B&E to the police and the situation is not urgent (e.g., the perpetrator is not around, you are not in danger), call the non-emergency number for police in your community.
• Tell someone you trust what happened. Let your neighbours know what happened. If a neighbour, friend, or family member can provide emotional support or help you in practical ways, ask for help.
• If you wish to contact victim services, call VictimLink BC at 1-800-563-0808. Victim services can help you directly and can also refer you to other community agencies.
• If you have insurance that may cover stolen or damaged items, contact your insurance company immediately.
• Make a list of what was stolen or damaged, including any identification numbers or photos if you have them.
• When police will be attending, try not to touch or disturb anything in your home, and do not discard anything. Ask for the police file number so you can provide this to your insurance company.
• If you have questions about a break and enter, don’t hesitate to ask a victim service worker.
   

Victims of Fraud and Identity Theft

It’s not always easy to spot a scam. Clever thieves are constantly finding new ways to trick people into giving up their personal information and/or money.

Fraud is intentional deception for personal gain or to cause another person to suffer damages, usually financial losses. Types of fraud include identity theft, phishing, pyramid schemes, and counterfeiting.

Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information such as your name, address and SIN, your banking information or your credit card information.  Thieves are able to use the information they steal to open new bank accounts, order cell phones, take out mortgages on the victim’s property and buy cars or furniture.

If you suspect that you may be a victim of fraud or identity theft, help is available through victim services.

Signs of Identity Theft

•  Purchases not made by you appear on your monthly bills

-       Bills arrive on accounts you don't own
-       Collection agency calls about unknown debt
-       Credit card/bank statements don't arrive
-       Your credit report shows mystery debts.

What to do next?

• Call the police and notify them about your ID theft.
• Call your financial institutions for information about cancelling and reissuing credit and debit cards and putting a fraud alert on file at your local banking institution.
• If you wish to contact victim services, call VictimLink BC at 1-800-563-0808. Victim services can help you directly and can also refer you to other community agencies.
• Put a fraud alert on your credit report by contacting Equifax: 1-866-779-6440.
• Do a follow-up check three months after to ensure that someone has not tried to use your identity again. 
• Contact Canada Post if your mail is missing.
• Advise your telephone, cable, and utilities that someone using your name could try to open new accounts fraudulently. 
• Keep records of steps taken to clear your name and re-establish your credit.
• If you have questions about identity theft, don’t hesitate to ask a victim service worker.
   

Victims of a Hate Crime

In Canada, a hate crime is a criminal offence committed against a person, group of people or property that is motivated by the suspect's hate, prejudice or bias, based on race, colour, national or ethnic origin, language, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, or sexual orientation. If you are a victim of a hate crime, or have witnessed a hate crime, help is available through victim services and other resources.

Note: Hate/Bias incidents are actions that are not criminal in nature but may be covered by the Canadian Human Rights Act. 

What to do next?

• If you need are in immediate danger or need urgent medical attention, contact the police or ambulance services, by calling 911 or the emergency number for your community.
• If you wish to contact victim services, call VictimLink BC at 1-800-563-0808. Victim services can help you directly and can also refer you to other community agencies.
• Tell someone you trust what happened. If a friend or family member can provide emotional support or help you in practical ways, ask for help.
• Make detailed notes about what happened – description of those responsible, when & where the incident occurred, etc.
• In situations involving print materials promoting hate, keep record of all materials.
• In cases of graffiti, make sure a photo is taken before it is removed.
• If a hate message is left on an answering machine, do not erase the message.
• Have a police report taken – Make sure to tell police why you believe it is a hate crime and ask for the incident number.
• If you have questions about a hate crime, or your rights, don’t hesitate to ask a victim service worker.
   

Tips for Appearing in Court

As a victim of crime you may be asked to appear in court. Your first-hand information is very important to the outcome of the trial. Before you go to court, here are some tips to help you prepare

It is a good idea to get some information about what to expect before you go to court. Often there are delays and you may also need to come to court a few times for your case. Here are some tips to help you prepare.

Get Organized 

• It may be one year between the time of the event and a trial. It will become important to have a collection of notes, recordings and documents.
• Makes notes about the event as soon as possible. Write out a step-by-step summary of what happened. Capture all the detail you can remember.
• If possible, take pictures or record a video. You may wish to record your thoughts first into a voice recorder and then to make notes.
• Gather all documents, such as medical records, receipts, or other relevant items.
• Keep all your documents about the event in a safe place.
• Make a list of the key points of the event. Be sure to note key dates, times and other details. You will bring this outline with you to court.

Manage Your Emotions 

• Reliving the event can be stressful. Going to court might make you feel upset or anxious. That’s normal. Talk about your feelings with someone you trust. 
• You may want to show your thoughts and feelings about going to court by drawing a picture, writing a poem or some other personal way.
• Take time in the days before court to do something you enjoy. Even something as simple as going for a short walk can help you feel better.
• Do something calming and relaxing the night before court.

Get Help

• Ask Crown Counsel or the police officer to meet with you to review your information before going into the court.
• Talk to the Victim/Witness Assistance staff, Crown Counsel or the police officer about testifying in court.  
• If you have a job, your employer must give you the time off to attend court.
• Tell the Crown Counsel or the Victim/Witness Assistance Program staff if you are pregnant or have any special needs due to a disability, or an illness such as asthma, diabetes or epilepsy. If you need transportation or other assistance, ask for it.
• Tell the Crown Counsel, police officer, or the Victim/Witness Assistance Program staff, if you do not understand at least one of Canada’s official languages (French or English).  
• If someone is making you afraid to go to court, it is important to tell the police officer or a victim service worker right away.

Going to Court

• Visit a courtroom before you testify.  It will help you to get a feeling for how a trial works. Courts are public places and you can sit in on almost any trial. You can talk to the sheriffs, registry staff or other court workers about trials scheduled for the day you visit. Ask if there is one where a victim or witness is testifying.
• The day of your appearance, plan to be at court for the whole day. No one knows exactly when you will begin your testimony or how long it will take.
• Try to bring a support person with you to court. 
• Wear comfortable dress clothes.  
• Bring reading, knitting or other things that will help keep you occupied while you wait.
• Be sure to eat and drink throughout the day. Have fruit or a snack bar with you in case you get hungry.
• When you are called to testify, speak to the judge when you give your answers. Even though someone else is asking you the questions, you should address the judge. Don’t speak directly to the accused or anyone else.
• Speak clearly and calmly. As much as you can, stay focused on answering the question you were just asked. If you don’t understand something, ask for it to be repeated or explained.
• Sometimes, one of the sides may try to confuse you and make you seem uncertain about the facts. You can review your outline notes while you are on the stand, but you should not read directly from them.

Your Voice in Criminal Court

• Your Voice in Criminal Court is a video that helps introduce adult witnesses to court by offering general discussion points on a variety of court-related topics. The video was developed for Provincial Court, but much of the information applies to Supreme Court as well.
• Victim Service Workers help educate victims and witnesses about criminal court process. Victim Service Workers, Crown Counsel and other professionals use this video to support adult victims and witnesses through the criminal court process.
• Produce in 2008 by the Justice Education Society and the Victim Services and Community Programs Division of the BC Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

Last reviewed: March 2016