What is Victim Services?
 
No one ever wants to think of themselves as becoming a victim of crime or tragedy. If it does happen, the investigating officers may initiate the process of obtaining assistance for you. They may contact, or direct you to contact, the Victim Services Unit in your area.
 
You may have heard of Victim Services, and perhaps even know someone who is involved with Victim Services, but many people are not aware of our existence until they are affected by crime or tragedy.
 
There are many Victim Service, or Victim Assistance, Units across Canada, and in Alberta. The majority of Victim Service Units in Alberta are police based units, which means they work closely with, and often times, right out of, their local policing office. The units in Innisfail, Red Deer Rural and Sylvan Lake, all provide service to the residents of Red Deer County, and we all work out of our policing detachments.
 
A unit will typically consist 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.
 
Our mandate is to provide information, referral, education and support for those victims, 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 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 case, trail disposition.
 
Because we are privileged to be working so closely with police members, coordinators and advocates are required to pass a high level of security clearance. Confidentiality should not be a concern.
 
To be able to provide this type of assistance to our victims, advocates must possess knowledge in several areas. Training includes communication skills, grief / bereavement, Criminal Justice System, court system, current legislation, home security, personal safety, crisis intervention, trauma, sudden death, suicide/suicide awareness, crime prevention, available community resources, Emergency Protection Orders, etc. Continuous training and updates are critical to providing the best possible assistance.
 
Being a victim of crime or tragedy can be a traumatic experience. Being involved with the Criminal Justice System can also be traumatic. Victim Services can help in answering questions you may have, provide assistance and support, and accompany you to court, if you choose.
 
If you would like more information, feel free to contact any of the program coordinators:

Innisfail: 403.227.3342 Lauren Davies
Red Deer Rural: 403.343.5504 Michele Lodewyk
Sylvan Lake: 403.887.3334 Sonya Henderson