About Us

Who we are

Red Deer Rural Victim Assistance is a non-profit, charitable organization working in partnership with the RCMP Rural Detachment. The Red Deer Rural Victim Assistance Society was registered as a society in 1998. The unit consists of a coordinator, volunteer advocates, volunteer board members and a police liaison officer. Advocates respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week to requests from the police to attend to victims of crime or tragedy. They may be asked to respond to a residence, a crime scene, hospital, etc.

"Red Deer Rural Victim Assistance Society has grown substantially over the past five years - from struggling along with limited funds to an annual budgeted level of expenditures of approxiametly $45,000 per year. The unit moved from a volunteer part-time coordinator to a part-time paid coordinator who can more fully address the training needs of the volunteer advocates and liaise with members of the detachment, the public and more importantly victims of crimes. Increased provincial, federal and community support will ensure the continued success of the Red Deer Rural Victim Assistance Society."

Keith McPhedran, Treasurer

Who we assist

Trained volunteers and staff provide emotional support, practical assistance and referral information to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, death notification/sudden death, motor vehicle accidents, suicide, homicide, missing person/search and rescue, break and enter/robbery, fire, multi-casualty disaster, family/personal crisis. Our services are free and completely confidential and will only be offered with the consent of the victim.

The need for this type of program in the community is clear. People need to be assured that they are not alone in coping with crisis. Immediate intervention is essential after trauma. In 2002 the unit assisted 180 men, women and children, in 2003, 158 men, women and children and in 2004, 213 men, women and children were assisted.

What we do

Our mandate is to provide information, referral, education and support for victims of crime or tragedy until their own support systems are in place. We do not do counseling, or give advice. We may be in attendance for half an hour, or 20 hours. We may hold a hand, assist in making phone calls or just listen.
Our assistance is specific to to those victims and that incident. Once our presence is no longer required either by request of the victim(s) or supports are in place, we follow up with the victim(s), to continue to provide information as the need arises.
Our relationship may extend to court orientation and accompaniment (should the case warrant a trial) and informing the victim of Victim Impact Statements, Financial Benefits for Victims of Violent Crime, Restorative Justice, Restitution, etc. The length of the follow up will vary depending on the nature of the incident, and the needs of the victim. Victim Services acts as a central information point for victims regarding the status of the investigation, court cases, trial disposition.

Goals of the Victim Services Unit

1. Lessen the immediate impact of a crime on a Victim.
2. Help Victims cope with the effects of a crime by providing support, information and referrals to existing
social agencies.
3. Focus on the prevention of further victimization and provide encouragement to the Victim.
4. Help to increase the 'availability time" of members and be of service to investigators by providing assistance to the Victim during the investigation of a crime.
5. Actively participate in the preventative crime deterrents with potential Victims.
6. Promote positive liaison between Members, Court systems and the Victim.
7. Provide on going public awareness.

Guiding Principles for Helping Victims

1. To treat Victims with courtesy, compassion and respect for the dignity and privacy so they only suffer the minimum inconvenience from their involvement with the Criminal Justice System.
2. To ensure Victims receive prompt and fair attention for the harm that they have suffered.
3. To provide information regarding victims rights, remedies and the methods to obtain them.
4. To provide information to the Victims about their participation in the cirminal proceedings, scheduling and disposition.
5. To ascertain the views and concerns of the Victims and provide the appropriate assistance throughout the criminal process.
6. To ensure the personal interests, views and concerns of the Victim are brought to the attention of the court, where appropriate and consistent with criminal law and procedure.
7. To provide options to the Victims and their families to ensure their safety.
8. To inform Victim of health and social services and other relevant assistance.
9. Encourage Victims to report the crime and cooperate with law enforcement.
10. To provided well-trained volunteers who are able to maintain the integrity of the Victim Services Unit and that all contact with Members, Victims and the Public at Large is kept confidential.