The Government of Yukon is working to protect victims of crime and to ensure that victim service providers can confidently assure their clients of confidentiality. As part of this, The Act to Amend the Victims of Crime Act (2023) has passed the Yukon Legislative Assembly and received assent.
This legislation is designed to protect victims of crime by refusing access to information requests by offenders and alleged offenders that could harm the safety and privacy of victims. It does this by preventing offenders and alleged offenders from seeking access to personal information, such as records of the offender’s name, which would determine if victims of their crime are accessing services or support from Victim Services. Changes to the Act align with Victim Services’ ongoing efforts to improve client services, including protecting client safety.
Protecting client records shields victims from further risks of intimate partner violence, sexualized violence and domestic homicide. Using access to information requests to confirm the existence of victims’ information could place them at a higher risk of physical violence or psychological distress and this change will help reduce that risk.
The Act to Amend the Victims of Crime Act (2023) will help offer victims assurance that their confidentiality and safety are a priority for our government. We are committed to including these protections in law and to providing victim-led services that are both inclusive and confidential.
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Records created in the provision of victim services under the Victims of Crime Act are subject to requests for information under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
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The Act to Amend the Victims of Crime Act (2023) provides a framework for protecting victim records and empowering the refusal of requests for access to information.
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The protected information excludes records relating to government processes and refers to information about the experiences of victims of crime.
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Victim Services clients will continue to have access to their own records that are created when accessing services.
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Victim Services is committed to the protection of victim privacy and safety and provides confidential, inclusive victim-led services for anyone who has been impacted by crime.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.camailto:
Jasmine Doll
Communications, Justice
867-667-8114
jus.comms@yukon.ca