Steinbach MLA and Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen, announced that the Manitoba government is providing $519,000 from the proceeds of the Criminal Property Forfeiture (CPF) Fund to the Manitoba RCMP to fund a wide variety of crime prevention measures and victim supports including funding to support specialized technology in interview rooms at the Toba Centre for Children & Youth and cryptocurrency-tracing software.
“Our government is proud to support the RCMP at the Toba Centre and the essential work they do to support victims and their families in the healing process,” said Goertzen. “Using proceeds of crime to support the important work happening at the Toba Centre allows our government to continue our ongoing commitment to protect children and families, and ensure perpetrators are held to account for their actions.”
Toba Centre for Children & Youth was established in 2013 and provides services for child-abuse survivors with an initial focus on forensic interviewing to minimize trauma and ensure best practices. A total of $145,000 from the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund will be used by the RCMP to purchase specialized audio and video recording systems to equip interview rooms at the Toba Centre. This technology will help investigators interview child victims appropriately with a trauma-informed approach to document their disclosures and assist in investigations and the prosecution of abusers.
“We are so pleased and grateful to see this investment that will help ensure the best quality approach to forensic interviewing,” said Christy Dzikowicz, executive director, Toba Centre for Children & Youth. “When children/youth have been hurt, it is so important that they only have to share their story once and they deserve nothing less than our best possible response.”
“Interviewing anyone in relation to a traumatic incident is a stressful situation, and for children it is especially so,” said Insp. Tim Arseneault, Major Crime Services, Manitoba RCMP. “This funding from the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund will ensure that Toba Centre has the best equipment so that children don’t have to keep reliving their trauma, but can start on the road to healing. We are also receiving funding that will purchase cryptocurrency-tracing software. This will assist police in a variety of investigations. We are grateful we are getting the tools we need to continue to keep Manitobans safe.”
The RCMP will also receive $27,000 to combat cybercrime through the purchase of cryptocurrency-tracing software in order to trace illegal financial cyberspace activities, locate offenders and facilitate recovery of stolen victim assets. The cryptocurrency-tracing software will allow the Manitoba RCMP to quickly and accurately identify and prosecute offenders engaged in crypto-enabled crime. By tracing the transactions, and working with domestic and international law enforcement partners, effective action can be taken to promote safer communities and to reduce and prevent crime.
Since its inception in 2009, the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund has distributed more than $26 million back to communities throughout Manitoba. The program seizes and liquidates criminal assets, and redirects funding to projects and initiatives designed to protect Manitobans and enhance public safety. The funds are provided to organizations across Manitoba whose important initiatives build community, prevent crime, invest in youth, and support victims of crime.
