Multi-Site Survey of Victims of Crime and Criminal Justice Professionals Across Canada

APPENDIX B - LETTER OF INTRODUCTION

January 21, 2003

Dear XXX:

The Department of Justice Canada has recently launched a multi-site study seeking insight on a wide range of issues with respect to the criminal justice system as it pertains to victims. The purpose of this study is to gather factual information from criminal justice professionals (Crown, judiciary, defence counsel, police officers, parole/probation, advocacy, victim services) on their use of recent reforms (Bill C-79) with respect to victims of crime in the criminal justice system as well as information on any impediments to the implementation of these reforms. This study is being undertaken with the endorsement of the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Working Group on Victims of Crime. Prairie Research Associates (PRA Inc.; www.pra.ca), an independent research company, has been engaged by the Department of Justice Canada to conduct this study.

Bill C-79 is intended to enhance the role of the victims in the criminal justice system, expand their opportunity to describe the impact of crime on their lives, and ensure their privacy and safety are considered in decisions affecting them. The information obtained from this research will be used to assess the success of and barriers to implementing this new legislation. Further, insights from this study will generate evidence to inform future legislative reforms and policy changes. The information provided to PRA will be analyzed and forwarded to the Department of Justice. To ensure anonymity of respondents, individual responses will remain with PRA to be shredded once the analysis has been completed

This letter is being sent to inform you of the study and to ask for your assistance in this research. Since this is a broad study involving contact with many individuals across Canada (approximately 1,500), we are asking that you inform your colleagues and staff that this study is being conducted.

It is very important that the views of criminal justice professionals be represented in this research in order to make the revisions necessary to best serve the victims. I hope that we can have your support, as well as that of your colleagues, in ensuring that this research contributes meaningfully to the Victims of Crime Initiative.

PRA will be following up with you or a designate in the next two or three weeks. In the meantime, if you have any questions with respect to this research, please contact either Anna Paletta at the Department of Justice (613-941-4142), or Danielle Muise at PRA (613-233-5474).

Sincerely,

Roberta Russell