Advocates are worried that federal funding for legal programs for victims of sexual and gender-based violence will come to an end next year, which would directly affect the Journey Project here in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Journey Project is an initiative of the Public Legal Information Association. It provides support for victims as they navigate the legal system.

They are one of 23 organizations from across the country that are raising concerns about the funding, which is set to expire at the end of next March.

Association executive director Kevin O’Shea says they are trying to get out ahead of the issue well before the deadline, noting that they have been advocating for continued funding from Ottawa for some time.

He says the uncertainty surrounding the situation is not fair to their staff, community partners, and most importantly the survivors who avail of their services.

He says they have raised the issue with the federal departments of justice and women and gender equality. Joint letters have been sent to the ministers of both departments, but they have not received a reply as of yet, says O’Shea.