By Justine Kelsie

Victim Services in need of more financial support

Mar 7, 2018 | 12:23 PM

Grande Prairie and District Victim Services is experiencing an increase in use and needs more financial support. 

Executive Director Joan Suddaby-Ridsdale says in 2017, they had about 2,247 people come through the doors compared to approximately 1,748 people in 2016. 

“The amount of funding we receive is the same every year usually, from different funders. The reality is that we are getting more referrals and we are trying to figure out how we are going to find the resources to cover so that we don’t have any people out there that are not receiving victim services,” said Suddaby-Ridsdale following her presentation at the Tuesday morning city committee meeting. 

On top of the yearly increase, emergency calls were up in January 2018. The Executive Director says they usually average about two calls a month but had a spike of 14 calls in the first month of the year. 

“This is 24-hours (a day). If we get calls through the day, it is usually the staff that is working during the day that has to go out. The staff has to leave whatever they are working on and go out to this call.”

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“We find out what exactly is going on and provide the victim with a package with a lot of information.”

The organization helps victims of crime or tragedy connect with support, information, and referrals. 

“One of the big things is the court support and helping people go through the justice system. Lots of people fall victim and it isn’t their fault, they are just in the wrong place at the wrong time. They come through the door and that is where we go through what happened. Usually, they need support going through court.”

“We look at ‘do you need financial benefits?’ ‘Do you need a restitution package?’ The Victims of Crime Protocol, we try to give to everybody because it really explains step one all the way through.”

She says they also help connect people with victim impact statements. Suddaby added that they are not allowed to help in filling out the form.

The organization receives money from the Solicitor General, but Suddaby-Ridsdale says it doesn’t cover the cost of staff. She is hoping the province can pitch in more. 

A Domestic Violence Unit is part of the services they provide which is made up of RCMP, Child Protective Services, a full-time victim services staff, and a part-timer. RCMP and child welfare cover their own cost, according to the Executive Director. 

“With that program, it really could use an increase. Overall, we are looking at probably about trying to fundraise about $50,000 to cover everything else that our funders don’t cover.”

She says they will be working on getting larger fundraisers on the go and will be looking for items for silent and live auctions. If you have something to donate, contact the organization. 

The province announced Wednesday that more money was being poured into additional counseling, police, court support, and crisis assistance in Alberta. Approximately $8.1-million will be going to the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services. 

Grande Prairie wasn’t included in the places that would receive money. High Level, High Prairie, Peavine, Rainbow Lake, Fort Vermillion, Fort Chipewyan, Fort McKay, Janvier, Wabasca, Slave Lake, and Athabasca were included in the list of northern communities that would get a chunk of $6.225-million provided through Community and Social Services. Hinton, Jasper, and Edson are also getting a bit of the money. 

The government will also be providing $750,000 from Health to specialized counseling and expanded services while $1.09-million from the Justice and Solicitor General will go to enhance police and court support services.