Victim Services Awards of Distinction
Learn about the award and how to submit a nomination.
About this award
The Attorney General’s Victim Services Awards of Distinction (VSAD) recognizes the dedication and achievements of professionals, organizations and volunteers working to support people who have experienced victimization due to crime and raise awareness of victims’ issues in Ontario.
Who is eligible
Nominees must be Ontario residents, of any age, and be either:
- individuals who have experienced victimization due to crime, their family members or others personally impacted by crime who have raised the profile of victims' issues in Ontario
- volunteers who offer their time and personal resources to help people who have experienced victimization due to crime
- professional practitioners and paid victim services providers who have gone above and beyond their regular duties while providing support people who have experienced victimization due to crime
- programs, groups and organizations that deliver innovative services to people who have experienced victimization due to crime
Crime means an offence under the Criminal Code (Canada).
Nominations are especially encouraged for:
- youth
- individuals and organizations
- who are part of, or support, Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) communities
- that deliver human trafficking services to people living in Ontario
- combatting systemic racism and marginalization or focusing on service provider self-care
The person or group you are nominating must agree to the nomination. They will be asked to consent to the collection of their information.
Who is not eligible
You cannot nominate yourself and we will not accept nominations for:
- employees of federal, provincial and municipal governments and sworn police officers
- people with criminal cases currently before the courts
- people and organizations located outside Ontario, with exceptions made for human trafficking work
Nominate someone
Submit a nomination for an individual or organization by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, December 3, 2021 EST.
A nomination should demonstrate how the group or individual has gone beyond normal service to support victims of crime. It should include:
- a description of the group or individual
- who is served and how many people use the service
- examples of the impact of the service
- any community recognition or achievements the group or individual received
In the nomination, you can also include:
- quotes
- excerpts from news articles
- reference letters
- other content
Do not submit additional attachments.
Consider writing your nomination in another document that you can save. You can add it to the nomination form when you are ready to complete and submit the nomination.
Completed nominations should be sent to AGVSAD@ontario.ca with the subject: VSAD Nomination.
Past recipients
Learn more about the 2020-21 award recipients and see a photo of the recipients from the 2020-2021 awards ceremony below.
View a larger version of this image (JPG)
Learn about the award winners from 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015.