By Curtis Galbraith

More interest in sexual abuse training sessions than anticipated

May 4, 2018 | 5:31 AM

A program to train frontline workers on how to deal with sexual assault victims has drawn a huge response from the community.
 
Three full sessions with 15 people each have been held since the ‘Reporting Sexual Assault and Navigating the Criminal Justice System’ idea started in February. Another one is planned for June 1.
 
Grande Prairie Chief Crown Prosecutor Steven Hinkley says the level of interest was a lot higher than he expected and he will keep offering the training until there is no one left wanting to take part.
 
“I want them to be in a position first to assist people who make those disclosures to them to understand what the criminal justice system is so that they are not traumatized a second time by not knowing what to expect when they enter the criminal justice system.”
 
Hinkley says he also wants workers to understand their role in helping people who come to them, helping preserve potential evidence and be how to be able to refer these people to other agencies to get more help. He does not want them doing the job of the police.
 
“I can’t speak for individuals, but I want them to be able to be in a position to understand how their actions can impact the ultimate prosecution of a case.”
 
Hinkley says he teaches these workers to treat these disclosures like anything else that is important to them.
 
“For example, if they’re in a fender-bender in a car accident, which is that they would write the details down that were important to them so that they could recall them or find them later.”
 
The number of participants at each session is capped at 15. Anyone interested in taking part can contact PACE.