From left: Jennfer LaRiviere, Indigenous Resource Officer; Breanna Nicholson, Admin Assistant; Nicki Le Page, Missing Persons Liaison;  Brooke Boyd, Victim Services coordinator. (Submitted photo/PAPS)

By Teena Monteleone

Trauma support

Local services highlighted as part of ‘Victim and Survivors of Crime Week’

May 14, 2024 | 3:43 PM

In any given month, the Victim Services Unit of the Prince Albert Police Service can assist more than 100 victims in the immediate aftermath of a crime or tragedy and throughout the criminal justice process.

It’s a position victim services coordinator Brooke Boyd calls a ‘privilege to be in.’

“They may be experiencing some of the greatest losses in life and you’re there as a support person for them and I’ve had people remember me years later because of the help I offered. For me, that’s worth doing the job for because you’re able to guide someone in that time of need,” said Boyd.

The Government of Saskatchewan proclaimed May 12-18 as Victims and Survivors of Crime week, to raise awareness and highlight the services and supports available to help victims and survivors of crime. The week also provides an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of Saskatchewan’s volunteer victim support workers, staff and community board members.

“I would like to sincerely thank them for helping victims and survivors of crime overcome tragic situations and ensuring that they are not alone as they navigate the criminal justice system,” Justin Minister and Attorney General Bronwyn Eyre said in a press release Monday.

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Currently, there are 133 volunteer victim support workers working with police-based victim services programs in Saskatchewan. In 2023-24, they dedicated over 6,800 hours, and more than 15,000 victims of crime were supported through their efforts. Fourteen police-based victim services programs operate throughout the province.

Boyd, who completed the Victim Services Coordinator training through Sask Polytech, works with three others in the Prince Albert office located inside of the police service’s sub-station downtown: an admin assistant coordinator, a missing persons liaison and an Indigenous resource officer. They will look to recruit some volunteers this fall.

“Typically we receive referrals from police officers who have attended different calls throughout the week where a victim is listed on the file. It’s our job to reach out to them, make contact and offer supports through different agencies in the community. We also keep them updated on their police file as it goes through the court system,” said Boyd.

They can help write victim impact statements, complete victim compensation forms and help them get funding for things like counselling or ambulance bills. They may also attend calls with police to support family in situations like a sudden death or suicide and can assist in completing Emergency Intervention Orders (EIOs) which are made under the Intimate Partner Violence Act.

“We can also provide safety planning services. So, if you’re in a domestic violence situation and you need a safety plan to be completed, we can do those,” said Boyd. “We can also utilize the ODARA Risk Assessment which is another tool for estimating risk that a domestic violent offender will assault a partner again.”

The Victim Services Unit is currently asking for donations so they can make ‘To-Go Bags’ for victims of domestic violence or human trafficking.

“We are looking for donations of backpacks, toiletry items, hygiene products, socks and pajamas of all sizes,” said Boyd.

The donations can be dropped off throughout the week or during an open house of the Victim Services Unit happening on Thursday, May 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the police sub-station at 40 10^th St. E.

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teena.monteleone@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertNOW