SERVICE PROVISION

Crisis Assistance is provided by specially trained community volunteers who are on-call to area police services, fire departments and hospital staff --  24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Volunteers are recruited from within each community and understand the particular needs of their areas.  A comprehensive screening process and on-going training ensures that victims be assisted with compassion, respect and dignity in a confidential manner.

DEALING WITH CRISIS

Dealing with a crisis is something we may all face at some point in our lives.  Sudden death, physical, sexual or emotional abuse, homicide or suicide - tragedy can strike anyone at anytime.  In addition to fear, rage, isolation and confusion, victims may experience intense mental and physical distress.  Immediate emotional support and practical assistance can often help victims cope with a crisis more effectively.

WITH THE VICTIM'S CONSENT WE ARE HERE TO HELP

VCARS CAN PROVIDE

Emotional Support:

• Listen with complete confidentiality, understanding and respect taking into consideration personal values and religious beliefs
• Validate feelings of vulnerability, betrayal, fear, violation, anger and shock.
• Encourage personal empowerment by supporting the individual in regaining control of the situation
• Dispel self blame by placing the blame on the offender.  

Practical Assistance:

• Accompany the victim(s) to the hospital, to the home of friend or family member
• Attend to temporary household chores or child care needs (with victim's consent) household repairs (such as boarding up windows)
• Arrange for clergy, family member or friend to attend, to have locks or repairs seen to
• Transportation to safe shelter, hospital, home or family or friend, emergency accommodations
• Compile lists of stolen property.  

Information:

How to access: criminal injuries compensation, financial assistance, survivor benefits, transportation to other centers.

•  Referrals: to counseling, social agencies, support groups.

• Education: on the emotional and psychological effects of trauma and healthy self-care techniques; home safety, security improvements and property identification; how to talk with children about death; strategies for informing others of tragedy.  

Critical Incident Stress Management:

Individuals within the program have been training in basic and advanced Critical Incident Stress Management.  Contact your office if your place of work has suffered from a Critical Incident.  We can help!!

OBJECTIVES:

• To lessen the trauma of being victimized.
• To help the victim cope with the impact of crime and/or tragic circumstance.
• To encourage the victim to connect with appropriate services.
• To assist police in their response to the needs of the victims. 
• To provide an opportunity for the community to become more involved in dealing with the effects of crime and in mobilizing crime prevention efforts.

Police referral may include such occurrences as:

• Break and enter
• Property crime
• Homicide
• Suicide
• Sudden death
• Traffic accident
• Abuse of the elderly
• Domestic violence
• Sexual assault
• Robbery
• Fire