2025-26 Victim Services Awards of Distinction

The Attorney General’s Victim Services Awards of Distinction recognize the dedication and achievements of individuals and organizations working to support victims of crime and raise awareness of victims’ issues in Ontario.

The following are the 2025-26 award recipients:

Stephanie Mikki Adams, Ottawa

Stephanie Mikki Adams is the celebrated executive director of the Inuuqatigiit Centre for Inuit Children, Youth and Families and the co-chair of the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition. She has dedicated more than two decades to challenging systemic racism, addressing cultural displacement and closing service gaps affecting Inuit families experiencing victimization. As an Inuk woman, she brings greater visibility to often overlooked issues facing Indigenous victims. Under her leadership, the Inuuqatigiit Centre has grown into a multi-site organization offering a wide range of services.

Oreofejesu Agunsoye, Guelph

Oreofejesu Agunsoye brings years of experience to her work as an intimate partner violence (IPV) counsellor in Guelph, where she supports individuals who have experienced abuse and victimization. Oreofejesu holds a Master of Psychology and uses cognitive behavioural therapy alongside other therapeutic approaches to help survivors move forward. Inspired by her own immigrant experience, Oreofejesu has reshaped programs and workshops to better reflect the unique needs of IPV survivors from diverse backgrounds. Drawing on her expertise in both law and psychology, she empowers survivors to make informed, confident decisions.

Brett Broadfoot, London

In 2024, Brett Broadfoot experienced the tragic loss of his 17-year-old daughter, Breanna Broadfoot, who was murdered by her boyfriend. Since then, Brett has become an advocate for victims and survivors of gender-based violence. He has taken on an important role in encouraging men to engage in conversations about gender-based violence, emphasizing that it is an issue affecting everyone. Brett now serves on the board of directors of the London Abused Women’s Centre and recently addressed the House of Commons on bail reform, helping to raise awareness of the real-world impacts of gaps in the system.

Mary Daoust, Ottawa

Mary Daoust, from White Sand First Nation, has been a dedicated leader in victim services for Indigenous women, children and families for over 13 years. She joined Minwaashin Lodge in 2005 as a sexual abuse counsellor, later serving as counselling team supervisor before becoming executive director in 2011. Under her leadership, Minwaashin Lodge has grown into a comprehensive, culturally grounded, trauma-informed support centre. Mary also serves as a co-chair of the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition, as a board member for the Aboriginal Shelters of Ontario and as a chapter member with the Ontario Native Women’s Association. She advocates across all levels of government on behalf of Ottawa’s Indigenous community.

Debra Fisher, Brampton

Debra Fisher has dedicated over 27 years to supporting victims and raising awareness of sexual abuse. More recently, her work has included helping victims of human trafficking. Over the last decade, she has served as president of the St. Padre Pio Catholic Women's League, where she uses community events, petitions and fundraising campaigns to increase awareness about the dangers of sexual exploitation and victimization. Debra works closely with detectives from the York Regional Police Human Trafficking Division and with Crown counsel from the Provincial Human Trafficking Prosecution Team to deliver public education on human trafficking. Her ongoing efforts have contributed to the establishment of Human Trafficking Awareness Week in Vaughan and the annual Illumination of Vaughan City Hall on National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.

Amanda Gibbons, Mindemoya

Amanda Gibbons joined the Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service (WTPS) in 2024, bringing a compassionate, community-centred approach to crisis response. As a community crisis worker, she works alongside police officers to support victims of traumatic incidents, including intimate partner violence and fatal motor vehicle collisions. Recognizing the need for safe, culturally grounded spaces, Amanda created a soft interview room within WTPS to provide comfort and dignity to victims during police interviews. She also contributed to the development of the WTPS Situation Table which brings community agencies together to strengthen support for at-risk individuals.

Amanda Hurley, Owen Sound

Throughout her career, Amanda Hurley has made a meaningful and transformative impact on the lives of victims. As a legal advocate at the Women and Youth Crisis Centre, she provides essential support to women and youth navigating the justice system, including survivors of human trafficking and those involved in family and criminal proceedings. She often accompanies victims to court, assisting with case preparation and communication with legal counsel. Her ability to explain complex legal processes and provide steady support during high-stress situations has made a lasting difference to many clients. She is committed to elevating victims’ voices and supporting positive change.

Heidi Illingworth, Ottawa

Heidi Illingworth has dedicated more than two and a half decades to supporting victims and survivors of violence. In her current role as the executive director of Ottawa Victim Services, which serves approximately 4,000 clients annually, Heidi leads a team of 17 staff providing 24/7 crisis intervention and support to individuals affected by crime and tragic circumstances across Ottawa. In her previous role as a federal ombudsperson for victims of crime, Heidi contributed to recommendations for policy changes to victims' rights legislation. These included measures to ensure justice authorities automatically provide necessary information to victims to improve their access to supports.

Jacqueline Benn-John, Mississauga

Jacqueline has been a dedicated advocate for survivors’ and victims’ rights for more than 30 years. Her work focuses on individuals across diverse intersections including race, gender, age, disability, faith and sexuality, who face barriers and systemic oppression. She is a professor at Humber Polytechnic, teaching in the Community and Justice Services and Social Service Worker programs, where she integrates equity and human rights frameworks into both her teaching and practice. Through her work, Jacqueline equips future professionals to provide trauma-informed, responsive support, while fostering a deeper understanding of social justice and conflict resolution.

Josée Laramée, Ottawa

Josée Laramée has dedicated her career to defending women’s rights and supporting survivors of sexual violence. Since 2007, she has worked at Centre d’aide et de lutte contre les agressions à caractère sexuel (CALACS) francophone d’Ottawa, where she has played a key role in developing francophone services for sexual assault victims. Her accomplishments include several breakthroughs in new supportive programming, such as the launch of a French-language training program for frontline workers and the establishment of a French-language crisis line. Josée also uses art as a tool for healing and has developed a series of cartoons inspired by survivors' stories.

Deborah Logue, Clinton

Deborah Logue became the executive director of Victim Services Huron County in 2016. In her leadership role, she guided its merger with Victim Services Perth County, ensuring a smooth transition and strengthening the delivery of comprehensive victim supports across both regions. Deborah has directly shaped policies and programs that support victims of crime. She also plays a critical role in delivering education on human trafficking to rural communities. Deborah is recognized for providing compassionate support, referrals and resources to victims of crime and other vulnerable populations.

Matthew Richer, Thunder Bay

Matthew Richer has dedicated his career to raising public awareness of victims’ issues and addressing violence experienced by Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people. As a sexual violence training coordinator with the Ontario Native Women’s Association, Matthew develops and delivers culturally grounded workshops and programs across Ontario focused on prevention, education and responses to sexual violence, human trafficking and intimate partner violence. His work spans community training, youth engagement and provincewide awareness initiatives that promote safety, accountability and healing.

Sunder Singh, Toronto

As a victim of abuse herself, Sunder Singh has rebuilt her life and dedicated her career to ensuring that no woman, youth or newcomer faces recovery from violence alone. Since 1993, she has supported newcomer women and their families, starting with the creation of RivInt Interpretation and Translation Services, a social enterprise that provides income opportunities to over 850 immigrant interpreters and translators. Sunder is currently the executive director of the Elspeth Heyworth Centre for Women, with locations in Toronto, Vaughan and Bradford West Gwillimbury. Her leadership demonstrates a strong commitment to strengthening community safety, empowering vulnerable people and advancing systemic change.

Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic, Toronto

The Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic has provided compassionate support and care to more than 100,000 women and gender-diverse survivors of violence for over 40 years. The Clinic is committed to creating innovative solutions for clients, including the Risk Identification and Safety Assessment (RISA) Project, a national initiative that supports those working with survivors of gender-based violence. The Barbra Schlifer Clinic also delivers Ontario’s Independent Legal Advice program, which provides up to eight hours of free legal advice to eligible victims of intimate partner violence, human trafficking, sexual assault and other sexual offences.

Indigenous Victim Services, Six Nations of the Grand River

Indigenous Victim Services (IVS) has provided compassionate support to victims of crime in Six Nations of the Grand River since 2017. Operating under the Six Nations Justice Department, IVS offers culturally grounded assistance to people affected by violence, sudden tragedy and criminal harm. IVS provides support that helps victims feel safe, including ceremony, language and community protocol. It has become an important resource for Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ victims, who are at increased risk of violence and exclusion. Indigenous Victim Services continues to strengthen community-led responses to healing and safety within Six Nations of the Grand River.

Sexual Assault Centre of Brant, Brantford

The Sexual Assault Centre of Brant (SAC Brant) opened its doors in May 1993. Since then, it has made a meaningful impact in the community by raising public awareness of gender-based violence and supporting the training of other organizations. SAC Brant provides services that promote healing for survivors of sexual violence and creates social change through advocacy, education and collaboration. It has also developed the Taylor the Turtle program, which teaches children about personal boundaries and safety.

Victim Services of Peel, Brampton

For more than 40 years, Victim Services of Peel (VSOP) has delivered comprehensive, trauma-informed support to victims and survivors across Peel Region. Recognized as a leader in survivor-centred services, VSOP has developed groundbreaking programs addressing human trafficking, sexual violence and complex trauma. In partnership with specialized Peel Regional Police units, counsellors in the Justice for Me Too and This Way Out programs provide culturally responsive supports that promote safety, dignity and empowerment. VSOP also operates Trafficked Persons Footpath to Freedom, a program that helps survivors navigate complex systems, build stability and work towards long term healing and independence.

Victim Services Toronto – Reclaim Program, Toronto

Victim Services Toronto’s Reclaim program supports survivors of human trafficking by addressing the debt that can occur when traffickers use pressure, threats or manipulation to force victims to incur charges on their behalf, trapping them in abusive situations. The Reclaim team advocates on behalf of survivors with creditors, financial institutions, credit reporting agencies and government agencies to have this forced debt removed. The program prioritizes survivor privacy, minimizes the risk of re-traumatization and honours lived experience. Reclaim is the first program in Canada dedicated to ending this form of ongoing victimization.

Willowbridge Community Services, Brantford

Working closely with its community partners, Willowbridge Community Services is redefining how Ontario responds to and prevents violence against people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who experience significantly higher rates of violence. Since 2025, Willowbridge has delivered the Healthy Relationships (HER) Project, a free, eight-week therapeutic group program for women with developmental disabilities who have experienced harm, exploitation or unsafe relationships. Willowbridge also leads Your Body, Your Rights: Building Safe Relationships, an innovative gender-based violence prevention initiative in Ontario.

Women and Children’s Shelter of Barrie, Barrie

For more than 40 years, the Women and Children’s Shelter of Barrie has provided emergency shelter, crisis intervention, counselling and community education for women and children affected by intimate partner and gender-based violence. On a national level, the shelter has made significant contributions to transforming the Canadian Framework for Trauma-Informed Response in Policing, which supports police services in implementing trauma-informed practises across all areas of responsibility. The shelter’s participation in the Sexual Violence Review Table has also led to significant improvements in police service delivery for sexual assault cases, including strengthening trust between survivors and law enforcement.