Victims of family violence, especially in the Scarborough area, will be able to access support, counselling among other services thanks to federal funding.

On Wednesday, Peter MacKay, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, announced the allocation of almost $250,000 in funding to help the Scarborough Family Justice Centre provide services that will ease the trauma for victims of family violence.

“In 2011, police reported almost 95,000 victims of family violence in Canada, McKay said.

The Scarborough Family Justice Centre is a pilot project being operated by Victims Services Toronto, in partnership with Toronto Police Services and community organizations. It aims to provide a more victim-focused and victim-friendly approach to criminal justice and social services intervention.

In total, the federal government allocated $249,127 over three years, starting in fiscal year 2012/2013 for the Scarborough Family Justice Centre. This money is being provided through two funding programs within the Department of Justice Canada.

According to Statistics Canada’s statistical profile on family violence, 34 per cent of all homicides committed between 2001 and 2011 were family-related. The impact of family violence on a victim’s emotional or physical health can result in their inability to work, or to care for themselves or their children.