Seeing really is believing, apparently.
According to an article in the Toronto Star, the provincial agency created to compensate crime victims has denied pain and suffering payments to three mothers because they didn’t witness the killing of their children.
Apparently, “just” losing a child to senseless murder isn’t horrific enough.
The article, written by David Bruser, says each mother applied to the provincial Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, and were later denied compensation because board policy states a parent must witness the death, or come upon the crime scene for the province to pay up.
Some may argue they wouldn’t want the money, because it’s “blood money”, but the board is meant to financially help victims of violent crime and their families with psychological trauma and funeral costs.
These expenses can become very costly, especially depending on the amount of counseling required to move on.
And needless to say, the cost of a funeral in Canada seems to become more and more expensive, adding another burden to an already overwhelming situation.
If there was ever a time for rules to be bent, it’s when a parent loses a child.
Particularly when those rules are ridiculous.
Losing a family member to an illness or an accident is one thing, but to be a victim of homicide is in a league of its own.
Simply put, the board was created to help victims, not make them suffer even more. Therefore, it should do what it says it does: help victims.
The compensation board, which pays a maximum of $25,000 to victims, claims to treat them with “courtesy, compassion and respect” as they seek help with their financial, physical and emotional needs.
Does this treatment sound courteous, compassionate, or respectful?
I think not.
And sadly, the idiocy doesn’t end there.
The Star also reports that, “While the board has denied pain and suffering claims by these mothers, it has routinely paid police officers pain and suffering cash awards after they suffered minor injuries on the job.”
Note the word “minor”.
In one case, a police officer received $10,000 because he could no longer enjoy gardening, visiting flea markets and collecting glass.
Well, that makes a lot of sense.
Is the board therefore saying that gardening, flea markets and glass collecting are more important that psychological counseling and therapy?
It’s so disheartening to know that a provincial agency could be so cruel to families who are already in so much pain and distress.
The rules make no sense, and lack one of the most important human characteristics, compassion.
