The brothers and sisters of victims of criminal acts are now entitled to more aid: the Quebec Minister of Justice, Simon Jolin-Barrette, has expanded access to the compensation program for victims of criminal acts (IVAC) so that siblings can now have access to psychological support for life.
This modification occurs a few months after the plea of Marie-Christine Cloutier and Pierre-Luc Gauthier, parents of Jacob, one of the two children who died during the drama of the Sainte-Rose educational day, in Laval, on February 8, 2023. That day, a man behind the wheel of a bus had darken in the building, injuring six other children.
At the wheel of a bus, a man struck the facade of a daycare in the Sainte-Rose district of Laval, February 8, 2023. (Archive photo)
Photo: Canadian press / Graham Hughes
As parents who have lost a child, Ms. Cloutier and Mr. Gauthier are recognized as victims by theIVAC. They will be able to benefit for life care in psychotherapy paid by this program.
Their daughter Anne-Sophie, aged 7 at the time of her brother’s death, was only entitled to 30 psychotherapy sessions during her life, being considered a loved one.
Under the modification made by Quebec, she is also recognized as a victim and will now be able to obtain additional reimbursed sessions if a health professional attests to the need.
Marie-Christine Cloutier is delighted with the government’s response. Even if Anne-Sophie is well, her mother fears that her trauma will reappear in the future.
Thirty sessions for life, it quickly passed […] What will happen when she is going to start doing more research and when she will start asking questions?
Marie-Christine Cloutier (Photo d’archives)
Photo : Radio-Canada / Ivanoh Demers
For sure [que j’ai entendu] The cry of parents’ hearts when they wrote a letter to me. I was very sensitive to this reality
Simon Jolin-Barrette said in an interview with Radio-Canada.
Marie-Christine Villeneuve, Coordinator for Communications and Public Relations of the network of assistance centers for victims of criminal acts, welcomes the rapid government’s response. It is very appreciated to see that, quickly, things moved in this situation, but also for future situations.
The new directive is already in force and retroactive. The siblings, a member of which has been the victim of a criminal act in the past are therefore also eligible.
With the information of Jacaudrey Charbonneau
