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Moose Jaw Victim Services Unit
Moose Jaw and
District Victim Services is about balancing the scales of justice to
provide support services to crime victims who might otherwise feel
confused, left out, uninformed and angry at a system that has, in the
past, put its main focus on the offender.
The Victim Services program is a victim support
service with a full-time
manager who recruits, trains and supervises community volunteers who, in
turn, provide direct support to crime victims referred to the program
by the police officers. The volunteers provide support to crime victims by
phone or in person.
Victims of all types of crime can be referred to the program.
Usual crime types served are all
levels of assault, sexual assault, domestic violence, robbery,
break-and-enter, fatal motor vehicle accidents and theft. Police can also use the program to accompany them
to sudden death notifications or to ask them for a follow up to a
suicide attempt.
Some of the goals of the program are to:
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lessen the immediate and long-term effects of crime experienced by
victims;
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develop and maintain a directory of referral agencies and to ensure that
referral information is readily available to victims;
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prevent further victimization of victims and witnesses as a result of
their involvement in a criminal justice system;
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help victims cope with the effects of traumatic events;
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enhance the communication and flow of information between the victim,
the police and the criminal justice system; and
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provide an effective and sensitive service to the community.
Volunteers are the backbone of the Victim Services program. The
selection of qualified and motivated volunteers is necessary to
provide the best service possible. Under the supervision of the Victim
Services manager, the volunteers provide direct assistance, referral
information, and support to victims of crime.
Volunteer recruitment occurs on an ongoing basis. After interviews
and selections, all volunteers undergo 40-45 hours of classroom
training which prepares them for the duties they will be expected to
perform. If you would like to volunteer, please contact the manager of
Victim Services at 694-7624 or email her at:
dblondeau@mjpolice.ca
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