Before March 1993, St. Albertans who experienced crime or trauma were left on their own to deal with the emotional impact.
Since that time, however, St. Albert Victim Services has been there to help, to offer blankets, kindness and guidance, and to assist people in any way, even if it’s just a shoulder to cry on.
“Everybody reacts to crime differently whether that crime means vandalism or something greater. We treat every referral as a serious referral,” explained assistant co-ordinator Eve Crowston. “There’s always that level of professionalism. A lot of it is just listening and getting a good sense of what the victims need. That might be all they need.”
She said that what the advocates do is simple but vital.
As the non-profit agency nears its 20th anniversary of service, it’s looking to the future as it reflects on the vast impact it has made on many people’s lives in the past.
It’s not always an easy job but it helps so many people in immeasurable ways and provides a level of satisfaction for the caregivers, which is completely unique.
“It’s that giving back to the greater good, sharing the knowledge and the skills that they have,” she said, adding that the advocates are very well trained to do what they do but it’s not rocket science.
“You don’t need to be professional to be able to help someone in their time of grief and tragedy, as long as you have that listening ear and you have that caring and consideration for others.”
The team of victim advocates is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week all year round for anyone who experiences any number of violent, traumatic or stressful events like automobile accidents, house fires, assaults, domestic violence, or any act of crime, or if they are a family member of someone who dies unexpectedly.
These volunteers are there on the scene as quickly as possible, providing that all-important level of human support. It’s the sort of thing that you don’t think about until you need it.
They are even available to help victims with the preparation of victim impact statements or other legal documents, or with making appearances in court.
Cpl. Laurel Kading, investigator with the St. Albert detachment, explained that it isn’t that the members of the RCMP don’t want to do what victim services does; it’s just that it’s not the focus of their jobs and they don’t have the time. She said the group takes care of the human element so that the police can get on with taking care of business.
“They allow the RCMP to get back on the road,” she said.
To that end, the agency is always looking for people who can help with funding or are looking to join the team. All that is required is the willingness to help and the time to commit. St. Albert Victim Services will have a booth at the upcoming Volunteer Fair happening on Saturday, Nov. 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Servus Credit Union Place.
St. Albert Victim Services will soon be advertising a contest for members of the public to send in what they would like the agency to change its logo to. The intention is to make the group’s identity more distinct and identifiable, and to increase public awareness of who the advocates are and what they do.
The prize for the winner is a gift pack of restaurant vouchers to Earls, Original Joe’s and Cajun House.
The deadline is Saturday, Nov. 24. Call 780-458-4353 or visit www.stalbertvictimservices.ca for more information.
By the numbers
Number of people assisted by St. Albert Victim Services by year<br />1993: 787<br />2002: 1,006<br />2011: 1,568<br />1993 to 2011 inclusive: 21,866<br /><br />Total number of volunteer hours from 1993 to 2011: 73,546.5<br /><br />In 2010 alone, the agency peaked with 1,381 new files opened, helping 2,050 people.
