Victim Services

Yellowknife Victim Services

Mission
To offer compassionate support, assistance, information and referrals to victims.

Description
Yellowknife Victim Services (YVS) provides emotional support, information and referrals to victims of crime and tragedy. While the majority of our clients are Aboriginal women, we help clients of all demographics. Services include court accompaniment and preparation, support through RCMP statements, help with Victim Impact Statements, information about the criminal justice system, emotional support, crisis intervention, and referrals. During regular business hours, VS staff serve clients in all areas of program delivery; additionally, volunteers and staff provide after-hours crisis support during evenings and weekends. We primarily serve clients who reside within Yellowknife, and will also assist clients from surrounding communities.

Annual Summary
This year has offered a host of changes and challenges, but as 2008-2009 comes to a close, YVS is emerging with strength and connection. Liisa Prosyk acted as Program Coordinator from April of 2008 to the end of October, when she left on maternity leave. She was replaced by the current Coordinator, Rebecca Hall. Marie Speakman continues on as the Victim Services Worker, providing solidity to this Program.

Volunteers are crucial for YVS to offer 24 hour services to victims. We currently have 5 ongoing volunteers, who provide great assistance to the Program, but are in need of more support. In January, YVS was granted funding from the GNWT Department of Justice to hire a Volunteer Training Coordinator on contract. Allison Anderson has filled this position and is currently facilitating a 40-hour training program for 13 new volunteers. These volunteers are talented, impassioned women, who we are sure will bring wonderful new talent to the program. This year training was extended to residents of Beh Cho Ko, and we have one volunteer from there.

Most importantly, YVS continues to offer compassionate support to victims. Referrals from the RCMP have spiked, and we now have a heavy and constant load of clients. Increased referrals from the RCMP may in part be attributed to RCMP Victim Awareness workshops, which YVS conducted throughout January and February of this year. There are also many victims who are contacting YVS on their own. Recently, we have been providing support to residents of Gameti, Fort Providence, Beh Cho Ko, and Tulita. Furthermore, in our aim to provide well-rounded services, we maintain close working relationships with the Public Prosecution office, and the local women’s shelters. Victims are referred to us from these organizations, and we refer to them as needed.

The biggest challenge YVS face’s is staff capacity. Compared with other Victim Service programs around the country, the staff count is very low (one Coordinator/frontline worker and one frontline worker). The result is staff fatigue and the danger of providing inconsistent service. To remedy this, YVS under the Native Women’s Association will be seeking funding for another full-time employee in the next fiscal year.

There are many highlights from this year. YVS has played a big part in the community. The Coordinator sits on the Family Violence Protocol Steering committee and implementation committee, as well as on a committee designing a program for people who have used violence in intimate relationships. Our participation in these initiatives allows the Victim’s voice to be heard. We also organized a Family Fun Day for Family Violence Week and helped organize the December 6 National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.