Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime

An independent body created to ensure the federal government meets its responsibilities to victims of crime. For victims of crime, the Office can answer questions about one's rights as a victim; provide information about the services and programs available to victims through the federal government; receive and review complaints about federal government departments, agencies, laws or policies; address complaints from victims about compliance with the provisions of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act that apply to victims of offenders under federal supervision; refer victims to programs and services in their city or province that may be able to help them; and make recommendations to the federal government on how to change its policies or laws to better suit the needs and concerns of victims, and to report on those recommendations publicly. The Office also works to ensure that policy makers and other criminal justice personnel are aware of victims' needs and concerns and to identify important issues and trends that may negatively impact victims. Where appropriate, the Ombudsman may also make recommendations to the federal government. Services are free of charge. The office does not advocate on behalf of individual victims or provide legal advice.