Our Services
A crisis or a trauma is an experience so severe or unusual that the mind cannot assimilate or master it in the usual way. Effective crisis response must first meet the basic needs of the victim. Part of this process means being able to talk about the experience and begin to plan for the future and re-establish support systems. Post-trauma assistance helps survivors re-build their coping strategies, reduce acute stress and restore their ability to adapt to the stresses of every day life. Crisis intervention is short-term.
Crisis intervention includes practical help. Some examples might include assistance to call family or friends; emergency transportation, shelter, food; information on what is happening and what will happen next; medical assistance; safety planning; referral to other sources of immediate assistance; temporary child care; home security check.
During the investigation and court process, victims of crime can receive information from Victim Services about:
- The investigation and protection orders
- The criminal justice process, court, hearings, trials and dispositions
- Victim Impact Statements, Financial Benefits, and Restitution
- Where to get help in the community
- Victims Services provides court orientation, court accompaniment and witness preparation and probation/parole info
Teddy bears are usually given to victims as a source of comfort.
Victim Services Advocates are not counselors or therapists. Referrals are made to other relevant services including medical, social, psychological or legal.
During the investigation and justice process, victims of crime can receive information from Victim Services about:
- The investigation and protection orders
- The criminal justice process, court, hearings, trials and dispositions
- Victim Impact Statements, Financial Benefits, and Restitution
- Where to get help in the community
Victims of crime can also ask victim services for court orientation, court accompaniment and witness preparation.
Information
- Case Status
- Arrest status
- Pre-trial release information
- Victim Impact Statement
- Restitution Forms
- Financial benefits application
- Community Resources
- Brochures
Wetaskiwin and District Victim Services provides public education to the community. On request the program will give presentations on the role of Victim Services, as well as on crime prevention. Some of the crime prevention topics that have been presented include Bullying, Fraud, Elder Abuse, Workplace Bullying, Senior Safety, and Armed Robbery. Generally the basis of presentations is on the prevention of re-victimization.
Police-based Victim Services Units operate out of a police facility. The RCMP Detachment provides liaison members to participate as a members of the local governing board. The RCMP Liaison Member is a voting member of the board of directors.
Family Violence Unit
The Integrated Family Violence Unit is a partnership between Wetaskiwin and District Victim Services, Child and Family Services Region 4, and the Wetaskiwin RCMP.
Each of the three partners have dedicated a full time human resource to the Unit, housed in the RCMP detachment.
The Family Violence Unit team has:
- significantly increased the first response and accurate identification of family violence cases
- strengthened safety and services to victims and children of domestic vilence
- helped empower victims of family violence
- increaseed perpetrator accountability for their abusive behaviours.
- and is working troward timely judical responses to domestic violence.
The Victim Services position in the Family Violence Unit is a Social Worker with a Victim Services background; a highly specialized resource for victims. This position was funded for the first two years by the Alberta Government Community Incentive Fund.
Family Violence Community Outreach Team
In July 2011 the Alberta government approved a Safe Communities Iniative Fund grant to advance the work of our Social Worker position attached to the Family Violence Unit. This position is funded as a
community outreach worker. The grant also allows us to develop a newly created community partnership to work towards the prevention of family violence with a staff person who is our
community development worker. The seven partners in this Family Violence partnership (and their websites) are:
The role of Victim Services is primarily intervention rather than prevention. When we provide crime prevention information, the goal is to prevent that person from becoming re-victimized.
Members of the Wetaskiwin Victim Services Unit are trained in Critical Incident Stress Management. It is important for our crisis response volunteers and staff to debrief critical incidents. The CISTeam in Wetaskiwin uses the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation model.
Wetaskiwin and District Victim Services is pleased to provide mentoring and support for new coordinators. Coordinators are welcome to attend on-site in Wetaskiwin for a half day job shadowing and consultation, or through phone support.