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Crime Victim Assistance Program

If you've been affected by crime,
counselling may already be covered for you.

The Crime Victim Assistance Program is a BC government benefit available to people who have been impacted by crime. No one who has experienced crime should have to face the aftermath alone — and the province has made support available so they don't have to. Sarah is an approved CVAP provider and offers direct billing, so there's nothing to pay upfront.

Book a free 15-min consultation See FAQ below
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What is CVAP?

A benefit that belongs to you — most people just don't know it exists.

The Crime Victim Assistance Program is a BC government program that recognises something important: people who have been impacted by crime deserve support in recovering from it. One of the things it provides is funded counselling — because the province understands that the effects of crime don't end when the event does.

If you're approved, CVAP pays Sarah directly for your sessions — meaning you receive professional counselling at no cost to you. There's no reimbursement process, no paperwork to chase, and no upfront payment.

Importantly, CVAP almost always offers 12 interim sessions to clients while their application is being processed. That means you can start counselling right away — you don't have to wait for approval to come through before getting support.

Sarah is an approved CVAP provider. She offers direct billing, which means if you're approved, there's no cost to you and no claim forms to submit yourself.

Who administers CVAP?

CVAP is a program of the BC government, administered by Victim Services and Crime Prevention (Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General).

BC Government CVAP page ↗

Who qualifies?

CVAP covers more situations than most people realise — and many people who qualify don't know it.

You may be eligible if you have been impacted by crime in BC — whether directly, as a witness, or as someone close to a person who was affected. People often assume their experience isn't serious enough, or that it doesn't count. If something happened to you and it still affects you, it's worth applying.

Physical assault

Including domestic violence, sexual assault, and childhood physical abuse.

Sexual offences

Historical or recent. The crime does not need to have been reported to police to apply.

Childhood trauma

Abuse or neglect that occurred in childhood — even if the events happened many years ago.

Witnessing violence

Including children who witnessed domestic violence in their home.

Criminal harassment or stalking

Behaviour that caused fear for your safety.

Immediate family of homicide victims

Family members of someone killed as a result of crime may also be eligible.

Not sure if you qualify? Apply anyway. The CVAP application process is free, and Victim Services staff can help you understand your eligibility before you commit to anything. Sarah can also answer questions in a free 15-minute consult.

How to get started

Three steps from here to funded sessions.

01
Apply to CVAP

Submit an application to the BC Victim Services office. Applications are free and can be made online or at your local Victim Services office. You don't need to have reported the crime to police to apply.

Apply at bc.gov ↗
02
Start with interim sessions — don't wait for approval

CVAP almost always provides 12 interim sessions to clients while their application is being reviewed. This means you can begin counselling right away — you don't have to wait for a decision before getting support. Once your application is approved, a full authorisation follows for additional sessions.

03
Book with Sarah — no cost to you

Sarah is an approved CVAP provider and offers direct billing. Once you have your authorisation, book your first session. There's nothing to pay upfront and no receipts to chase — Sarah handles billing directly with CVAP.

Common questions

CVAP questions, answered plainly.

If you have a question that isn't covered here, a free 15-minute consultation with Sarah is the fastest way to get a clear answer.

No. You do not need to have reported the crime to police to be eligible for CVAP. Many applicants — particularly those with historical abuse or sexual offences — have never made a police report, and this does not disqualify them.
Yes. Children and youth who have experienced or witnessed eligible crimes can qualify for CVAP funding. A parent or guardian would typically be involved in the application process for minors.
The number of approved sessions varies depending on your situation and the CVAP decision. Sarah works with the authorisation you receive and can advise on options if you need additional sessions beyond what's initially approved.
Apply anyway. People frequently underestimate whether what happened to them counts — especially if they've minimised it over time or been made to feel it wasn't serious. Victim Services staff are there to assess your eligibility, not to judge what you've been through. If something happened and it still affects you, it's worth making the call.
No — and this is one of the most important things to know. CVAP almost always provides 12 interim sessions while your application is being reviewed. You can begin counselling with Sarah right away while the process unfolds. You don't have to wait.
CVAP applications generally need to be made within two years of the crime, though there are exceptions for historical childhood abuse and other circumstances. If you're unsure about timing, contact Victim Services directly or ask Sarah in a free consult.

Not sure if CVAP applies to you?

Sarah can talk through your situation in a free 15-minute consultation — no commitment, no cost.

Book the free consult