B.C. Solicitor General John van Dongen says domestic violence, cyber-bullying prevention and helping at-risk children return to school are among the goals of 27 projects the provincial government is funding.

The minister says the projects are funded with $500,000 from civil forfeitures which are part of initiatives to suppress crime.

Projects range from recreational and educational programs to help keep urban at-risk youth out of gangs and criminal activity.

Also being funded are programs using mentoring by elders and culture-based teachings to curb violence and crime in specific aboriginal communities.

Van Dongen says the ministry's two-year-old civil forfeiture office has acquired $3.4 million in cash and assets to date.

Last February, the province invited local governments, community and youth organizations, school districts, police departments, victim service programs, Aboriginal organizations and First Nations bands to apply for one-time-only grants of up to $20,000 to help prevent and address the effects of crime.

"These proactive, grassroots efforts to prevent crime, assist victims and build safer communities have been developed by local organizations to meet local needs,'' said van Dongen in announcing the funding Saturday.

The grants build on the additional $17 million over three years that the 2008 budget provides for victims, van Dongen says.

Programs provide information about the justice system, practical help, emotional support and referrals to other appropriate programs.

Across British Columbia, there are 92 police-based and 62 community-based victim service programs.

The province also provides financial assistance and benefits to victims of violent crime and their families, counselling, protective measures like changed locks and home security systems, income support and funding for medical and dental expenses.

The Civil Forfeiture Act came into effect in April 2006 with the intent of suppressing criminal and other illegal acts and taking the profit motive out of crime.

Where it has been proven in civil court that property was acquired as a result of, or used for, unlawful activity, the B.C. Supreme Court can order the property forfeited.