Victim Services of Durham Region

What Victim Services of Durham Region does

Victim Services of Durham Region (VSDR) is a registered Canadian charity (#890809767RR0001) founded in 1997 and headquartered in Whitby, Ontario, that delivers 24/7 crisis intervention, system navigation, and prevention services to victims and survivors of crime across Durham Region. Its core service stack comprises on-call Crisis Response (deployable to crime scenes alongside Durham Regional Police Service and Ontario Provincial Police), System Navigation support connecting clients to social services and emergency resources, the Victim Quick Response Program+ for short-term financial assistance, and specialized Human Trafficking Prevention & Intervention programs. The charity reports supporting 5,430 victims and reaching over 40,000 individuals through prevention programming annually, with a team of approximately 14 staff.

VSDR operates an expanding portfolio of prevention and digital products. The flagship is "In Your Shoes," an immersive VR game for Grades 7–9 violence prevention — winner of the inaugural International Anthem Awards Small Non-Profit of the Year (3 Gold, 1 Silver, 3 Bronze, 2 Community Voice) and nominated for a Canadian Screen Award and Webby. Adjacent products include the STEP self-paced e-course for caregivers, an interactive Wheel of Consent digital game, a confidential online Hate Reporting Form launched in July 2024, an annual Youth Violence Prevention Symposium reaching nearly 23,000 Ontario students, and an embedded-crisis-counsellor Missing Persons Project with DRPS (first of its kind in Canada). Recent additions include the Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC) development and the $600,000-provincially-funded Child Victim Witness Program launched in 2025.

VSDR is funded entirely through a non-commercial model: government grants (Ontario Trillium Foundation, federal and provincial ministries, Municipality of Durham Region), program-specific restricted funding, and individual donations via a monthly "The Nest" donor program and an annual Resilient Voices Gala. All services are delivered free of charge to clients in over 300 languages. The organization is led by Executive Director Krista MacNeil (MSW, RSW), with Clinical Director Kayla Yama, and operates exclusively in Durham Region, Ontario.

Name

Victim Services of Durham Region

Legal name

Victim Services of Durham Region Inc.

Website

https://victimservicesdurham.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Victim Services of Durham Region is a Canadian registered charity, founded 1997 and based in Whitby, Ontario, providing 24/7 crisis response, system navigation, financial assistance, and youth violence-prevention programming — including an award-winning VR game — to crime victims across Durham Region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Victim Services and Crisis Intervention

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Victim Services & Witness Assistance (Justice System) (BPAIAFAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services (BPAGAEAD), Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits (BPAGADAM)

Keywords

• Victim crisis services
• Trauma counselling
• Human trafficking prevention
• Missing persons support
• Community safety education

Headquarters

HQ city

Whitby

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations: Registered charity accepting monthly and one-time donations from individuals. Operates The Nest monthly donor program.
2. Government Grants and Funding: Receives funding from federal government, Ontario Trillium Foundation, provincial government grants, and municipal funding for specific programs and initiatives.
3. Program-specific Funding: Grants for specific initiatives such as Missing Persons Project, Child Victim Witness Program expansion, Teen IRL program, and CYAC development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Victim Services of Durham Region provides free, confidential crisis response, trauma-informed counselling, system navigation, and financial assistance to victims of crime and tragic circumstances in Durham Region, Ontario. The organization also runs specialized prevention programming, including human trafficking prevention education and a Missing Persons Project. Services are delivered 24/7 by trained staff and volunteers in coordination with local police and community partners.

Product overview

Victim Services of Durham Region operates as a victim services organization offering a comprehensive suite of crisis intervention, prevention, and support programs. The core service portfolio includes Crisis Response (24/7 on-site and telephone support), System Navigation (emotional support and practical help navigating social systems), and the Victim Quick Response Program+ (financial assistance for emergency expenses). Prevention offerings encompass specialized Human Trafficking Prevention & Intervention services, a Missing Persons Project, Child and Youth Advocacy Centre, and broad Prevention Programming including workshops and training. Digital education products include the Teen IRL Empowerment and Prevention Program with the award-winning 'In Your Shoes' VR game, the Sex Trafficking Education and Prevention (STEP) Program with live virtual training and e-courses, an annual Youth Violence Prevention Symposium, Human Trafficking Training for Healthcare Providers, an Educational Video Series, and an interactive Wheel of Consent Game. Support tools include a Hate Reporting Form and the Child Victim Witness Program. Community engagement programs include The Nest monthly donor community and the Resilient Voices Gala.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Teen IRL (In Real Life) Empowerment and Prevention Program: Immersive learning program for students in Grades 7-9 that includes a virtual reality game 'In Your Shoes', digital Wheel of Consent game, group activities and scenario-based learning for violence prevention education.
• STEP (Sex Trafficking Education and Prevention) Program
• Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC)
• Missing Persons Project
• Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+)
• The Nest
• Resilient Voices Gala

Products and services

• 24/7 Crisis Response and On-Scene Support Round-the-clock crisis line and on-scene response service for victims of crime and tragic circumstances in Durham Region, delivered in coordination with Durham Regional Police. The service provides immediate emotional support, safety planning, and stabilization for individuals and families at the point of crisis.
• Trauma-Informed Counselling Short- and longer-term trauma-focused counselling for victims of crime and tragic events, provided by clinical staff. The service is intended for adult victims, survivors, and family members who need ongoing therapeutic support beyond the immediate crisis.
• System Navigation and Advocacy Support for victims in navigating police, court, healthcare, and social service systems, including advocacy and accompaniment. The service helps clients understand and access their rights and available resources across multiple systems.
• Financial Assistance for Victims Short-term financial assistance provided to victims of crime and tragic circumstances to address urgent needs arising from victimization. The program helps bridge immediate financial hardship while longer-term supports are arranged.
• Missing Persons Project Specialized crisis intervention and support for families of missing persons in Durham Region, led by a dedicated Crisis Intervention Counsellor. The service provides dedicated emotional support, liaison support with police, and ongoing counselling throughout the search.
• Human Trafficking Prevention and Survivor Advocacy Integrated program combining human trafficking prevention education with survivor advocacy, delivered by a program coordinator and prevention facilitator. The service targets youth in schools and community settings for prevention, and supports survivors through direct advocacy.

Quantifiable outcome

• Supported 5,430 total victims including 2,183 intimate partner violence, 901 sexual assault, 373 human trafficking, and 275 tragic circumstances
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Know Human Trafficking Campaign / Big Rig WrapsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 April 2024Mobile advertising partnership displaying human trafficking awareness messages on transport trucks. VSDR sponsored truck with Speedy Transport and support from Women's Trucking Federation of Canada.
• Missing Persons Unit - Durham Regional PolicecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2023New partnership embeds VSDR crisis counsellor in missing persons unit to provide confidential return interviews and ongoing support, significantly reducing recidivism. First of its kind in Canada.
• Susan Byrne-OssocoreOthers · 1 December 2023VSDR crisis intervention counsellor embedded in Missing Persons Unit providing return interviews and ongoing support to missing persons and families.
• Durham Regional Police Kids Safety VillagecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 July 2023Partner in Teen IRL Empowerment and Prevention Program. Hosts immersive learning workshops at Safety Village location for youth education on violence prevention.
• Durham Region School BoardscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 July 2023Educational partners delivering human trafficking prevention education to every Grade 9 class in Durham Region. Joint development of curriculum-aligned programming.
• DNAagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child and Family ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 July 2023Indigenous child and family services partner collaborating on Teen IRL program and culturally responsive support for Indigenous youth.
• Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary partner providing 24/7 referrals for victim assistance. Joint initiatives include Missing Persons Project, Human Trafficking Unit collaboration, and Hate Reporting Program development. Officers request VSDR crisis support at crime scenes.
• Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolice referral partner for victim assistance in provincial jurisdiction areas within Durham Region.
• Ontario Victim Services (ONVSP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial victim services network partner providing support and resources.
• Lakeridge HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing outreach services for victims of gender-based violence at healthcare facilities.
• Back Door MissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing outreach services for victims of gender-based violence and vulnerable populations.
• Durham Regional Police Special Victims UnitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecialized police unit partner for outreach services supporting victims of sexual violence and special victims.
• Durham Child & Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVSDR leads development of Durham's first CYAC bringing together law enforcement, child protection, healthcare, and victim services for trauma-informed child advocacy.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/vsdurhamregion
• Facebookfacebook.com/vsdurhamregion
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/in/victim-services-of-durham-region-064b1724b
• Instagraminstagram.com/vsdurhamregion

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Victim Services of Durham Region