Experiencing a violent crime can be deeply upsetting. You may be dealing with physical injuries, emotional pain, medical costs, lost income, fear, or changes in your everyday life.
In British Columbia, the Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP) may offer financial support to eligible victims. You can apply online or submit a PDF application. You do not need to wait for criminal charges or a conviction to apply.
At Vedder Counselling, we provide Trauma-informed Counselling in Chilliwack and Salmon Arm for people dealing with trauma, grief, victimization, and emotional stress.
We understand that recovery can take time, and we provide a safe space to work through what happened.
What Is the Crime Victim Assistance Program in BC?
The Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP) helps eligible people in British Columbia manage some of the costs caused by violent crime.
If someone experiences physical or emotional harm, CVAP may provide financial assistance for certain recovery-related expenses. Depending on the situation, support may also be available to immediate family members and some witnesses.
If a violent crime causes physical or psychological harm, CVAP may help cover certain costs related to the injury and recovery.
The program can support victims, immediate family members, and certain witnesses.
For example, a person who experiences a serious assault may need medical treatment, counselling, prescription medication, or time away from work.
If the crime causes a physical or psychological injury, CVAP may provide benefits for eligible expenses.
A family member may also need support.
For example, a spouse may experience psychological harm after a partner suffers a serious injury, or a parent may need counselling after their child dies because of a violent crime.
CVAP may provide certain benefits to eligible immediate family members in these situations.
The program can also support certain witnesses.
For example, a person with a strong emotional connection to a victim may experience psychological harm after witnessing a life-threatening or fatal violent crime.
In qualifying situations, that person may receive benefits such as counselling, prescription drug expenses, and transportation related to counselling.
Who Can Apply for Crime Victim Assistance in BC?
You may qualify for CVAP if a violent crime caused you physical or psychological harm. The psychological effects of crime on victims can make everyday tasks feel harder.
The crime generally must have happened in British Columbia. The program also covers certain people who helped prevent a crime or assisted with an arrest.
1- Victims of Violent Crime
A person who suffered physical or psychological injury from a violent crime may apply for benefits.
For example, a victim may need counselling after an assault or medical treatment after an injury. CVAP may help with eligible expenses connected to that injury.
2- Immediate Family Members
Family members can also qualify in certain situations.
The program may provide benefits to immediate family members of a victim who suffered injury or died because of a violent crime.
Depending on the circumstances, support may include counselling, prescription drugs, transportation, funeral expenses, bereavement leave, and other eligible benefits.
Support programs such as the Canadian Benefit for Parents of Young Victims of Crime may provide financial assistance in certain situations.
3- Witnesses
Certain witnesses can also apply for CVAP benefits.
The current rules allow support for people who witness a prescribed violent offence, or its immediate aftermath, when the event causes a life-threatening injury or death and would reasonably cause alarm, shock, and fear.
When Should You Apply for CVAP?
You should apply as soon as you can after the crime.
For crimes that occurred on or after January 1, 2024, CVAP generally requires an application to be filed within 2 years of the crime.
The law provides some exceptions and extensions.
For example, the time limit works differently for minors, and victims of sexual assault or certain sexual misconduct may not face the same application deadline.
For crimes that happened before January 1, 2024, different rules apply.
The B.C. government currently states that applications generally need to be submitted to CVAP within 1 year of the crime.
If you missed the usual deadline, you may still have options.
CVAP can consider an extension when you could not reasonably have completed the application within the required period.
How to Apply for the Crime Victim Assistance Program
The application process may feel difficult when you are already dealing with trauma. Breaking it into smaller steps can make it easier.
1. Choose the Correct Application
Start by identifying your role in the situation.
You may need an application for:
- A victim
- An immediate family member
- A witness
You also need to check when the crime occurred.
B.C. updated the CVAP forms after changes to the law took effect on January 1, 2024.
The government now provides different forms for crimes that occurred before January 1, 2024, and for those that occurred on or after that date.
If the crime happened over a period of time, use the form that matches the date of the last incident.
2. Gather Your Information
The application asks for information about you and the crime.
When applying, you may be asked to provide basic details. It includes when and where the crime happened, what type of crime occurred, contact details, and information about any injuries, expenses, or losses you faced.
You should also gather documents that support your application when they apply to your situation.
Take your time when you complete the form. Accurate information can help prevent delays.
3. Complete the Application
You can complete the CVAP application online through the B.C. government’s application system.
The online application takes about 45 minutes, and the system does not allow you to save the form and return later.
Make sure you have enough time before you begin.
You can also use the PDF application if you prefer.
Read each question carefully and answer all required sections. The application instructions tell applicants to provide the required signatures and include relevant attachments.
4. Submit Your Application
You can submit a completed application and attachments by email, fax, or mail.
The current B.C. government instructions allow applicants to email completed forms to cvap@gov.bc.ca.
You can also fax documents to 604-660-3880 or mail them to the Crime Victim Assistance Program in Vancouver.
If you need help completing the application, a local victim service program can assist you.
You can also contact VictimLink BC for information about available support services.
What Benefits Can You Receive Through CVAP?
CVAP does not provide the same benefits to everyone. The support depends on your circumstances and the needs caused by the crime.
1- Counselling and Mental Health Support
Counselling can form an important part of recovery after violent crime.
CVAP may cover eligible counselling services for victims, immediate family members, and certain witnesses.
The program can also provide additional mental health support, depending on the situation.
Understanding the stages of trauma recovery can help make sense of the changes that happen during healing.
2- Medical and Dental Expenses
Victims may qualify for medical and dental benefits when the expenses relate directly to injuries caused by the crime.
Support can include eligible treatment, health care services, medical equipment, dental treatment, and prescription drug expenses.
3- Income and Other Support
Some victims may qualify for income support or assistance related to lost earning capacity.
CVAP may also help with transportation, childcare, homemaker services, disability-related expenses, vocational services, or crime scene cleaning when the situation meets the program requirements.
For families dealing with a death, additional benefits may include funeral expenses and bereavement leave.
What If You Feel Overwhelmed After a Crime?
Applying for financial assistance can help with practical costs, but it does not remove the emotional impact of what happened.
You may feel anxious, angry, numb, guilty, or afraid. You may struggle with sleep or find it difficult to return to your normal routine.
Some people also experience intrusive memories, panic, emotional distress, or a constant feeling that something bad may happen again.
These reactions can make everyday life difficult.
At Vedder Counselling, we provide trauma-informed counselling for people who have experienced traumatic events and violent crime.
1- We Create a Safe Space to Talk
You may not know how to explain what you are feeling after a traumatic event.
Counselling gives you a place to talk without pressure. You can discuss your fears, grief, anger, or other emotions at your own pace.
2- We Help You Understand Trauma
Trauma can affect your thoughts, emotions, sleep, relationships, and sense of safety.
Trauma-informed counselling helps you understand these reactions and develop healthier ways to cope with them.
3- We Support Your Recovery
Recovery does not happen overnight.
Our approach focuses on helping you process difficult experiences step by step. We work with you to understand your emotions, manage stress, and rebuild a sense of safety.
When Should You Seek Counselling After a Crime?
A crime can affect a person long after the event ends. Some people feel fine at first and notice changes later. Others struggle with fear, sadness, or stress right away.
Counselling can help when:
- Sleep becomes difficult, or nightmares happen often
- Fear or worry starts affecting daily life
- Thoughts about the crime keep coming back
- Returning to work, school, or normal activities feels hard
- Spending time with family or friends no longer feels easy
- Anger, sadness, guilt, or fear feels too strong to handle
- Relationships start to suffer because of the emotional stress
- The person feels stuck and does not know how to move forward
There is no fixed time for seeking counselling after a crime. Some people ask for help soon after the event. Others need weeks or months before they feel ready.
The important thing is to get support when the emotional effects start making daily life harder.
Get Support After a Violent Crime!
The Crime Victim Assistance Program can provide important financial support after violent crime.
If you qualify, the program may help with counselling, medical expenses, transportation, income support, and other eligible costs.
But financial assistance represents only one part of recovery.
Emotional healing can take much longer. You do not have to handle trauma, grief, fear, or emotional stress alone.
At Vedder Counselling, we provide compassionate, trauma-informed counselling in Chilliwack and Salmon Arm for people dealing with traumatic experiences and victimization.
If you need support after a violent crime, book a counselling session with Vedder Counselling and take the first step toward emotional recovery.
People Also Ask
Who can apply for the Crime Victim Assistance Program?
Victims of violent crime, certain immediate family members, and eligible witnesses may apply for CVAP benefits. The person must meet the program’s requirements, and the crime generally must have happened in British Columbia.
Does CVAP cover counselling?
Yes, CVAP may cover eligible counselling services for victims, immediate family members, and certain witnesses. Counselling can help with fear, grief, anxiety, trauma, and other emotional effects after a violent crime.
Can family members receive CVAP benefits?
Yes. Eligible immediate family members may receive certain benefits when a victim suffers an injury or dies because of a violent crime. Depending on the situation, support may include counselling, prescription drugs, transportation, funeral expenses, or bereavement leave.
Can someone get counselling even if they feel fine at first?
Yes. Emotional effects do not always appear immediately after a crime. Some people notice changes weeks or months later. Counselling can provide support when fear, stress, sleep problems, recurring thoughts, or other emotional difficulties begin to affect daily life.
Where can I get trauma counselling after a violent crime in BC?
Vedder Counselling provides trauma-informed counselling in Chilliwack and Salmon Arm for people dealing with traumatic experiences, victimization, grief, and emotional stress. Support can provide a safe place to process difficult feelings and work toward recovery.
