Northwest Territories

Victims of Crime Emergency Fund

Easy application

Tax filing not required

The Victims of Crime Emergency Fund (VCEF) is designed to provide limited financial assistance to help victims of serious violent crimes with their emergency needs.

It is a limited emergency financial assistance program to assist NWT victims of serious violent crime such as sexual assault, homicide/attempted homicide, forcible confinement, or assault causing serious bodily harm.

Victims of minor crimes are not eligible. The fund is intended to provide emergency support to victims immediately after the crime. The VCEF is NOT a victim compensation fund. The NWT does not have a Victims’ Compensation Fund.

Visit the NWT Victims of Crime Emergency Fund (VCEF) factsheet to learn more about the program.

To be considered eligible for this program:

  • You must be a resident of the NWT and the victim of a serious violent crime such as sexual assault, homicide/attempted homicide, forcible confinement, or assault causing serious bodily harm.
  • The crime took place in the NWT, within two months of the application date.
  • You have not received funds for the same crime.
  • Funds are to be spent in the NWT.
  • There is an immediate need for emergency expenses.
  • You are not an 'accused' in the crime

Applications are limited to emergency needs which must be addressed to protect the victim from further physical or emotional harm, including but not limited to:

  • Crime scene clean-up.
  • Emergency home repairs for immediate safety.
  • Certain transportation costs.
  • Emergency child and/or dependent care.
  • Emergency accommodation and meals.
  • Short-term immediate counselling.
  • Emergency medical expenses.

Other expenses may be approved at the discretion of the Community Justice and Policing Division of the Department of Justice.

To apply for the Victims of Crime Emergency Fund:

After your application is received, a decision will be made to either grant or deny assistance and you will be notified in writing. If your application is denied, you can request a review of the decision.

A local victim services worker, nurse, social worker, or court worker can assist you with submitting an application or requesting a review of a decision. You can also contact the VCEF program or Victim Services directly for assistance.

For more information about applying for the Victims of Crime Emergency Fund contact:

Community Justice, Department of Justice Government of the Northwest Territories
4903 49th St,
PO Box 1320,
Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9,
Canada
Or email vcef@gov.nt.ca
Or call 1-867-767-9261; 1-867-873-0199

Last updated: January 27, 2024