Victim services

• Police requested crisis response (crisis intervention, defusing and debrief)
• Grief and loss support
• Safety planning information
• Information on critical incident reactions and self-care post trauma
• Common reactions to traumatic experiences
• Grief and loss resource

We also provide referrals between two distinct Victim Service Programs. Caseworkers refer people to our partner agency Community-based Victim Services (Elizabeth Fry Society) when persons referred to us are identified as:

• Victims of violence in relationships (adult, youth or child)
• Victims of sexual assault
• Victims of criminal harassment
• Victims of child abuse/assault (both physical and sexual)
• Adult survivors of childhood abuse (both physical and sexual), and
• Child witnesses of family or sexual violence

Court

• Court orientation and accompaniment for witnesses who may be required to testify in criminal cases.
• Guidance in completing victim impact statements.
• Updates on the status of the police investigation, charges laid against the offender, protective orders, outcome of court appearances, the custodial status of the convicted offender, and length of sentence/parole information.
• Connection with provincial and federal Victim Notification Programs.
• Liaise on your behalf with justice system personnel.
• Victim service workers do not provide legal advice to victims but will assist with referrals for legal advice where available.

Financial

• Aid in completing Crime Victim Assistance Program compensation.

Referral

• Counseling, financial, legal and community resources.

Central Okanagan RCMP Victim Services provides services to victims of crime and/or trauma who may or may not have reported a crime to police or be involved with the criminal justice system. Please note: Victim Services respects confidentiality yet has a duty to report (to applicable agencies) violence in relationships, child abuse, a danger to self or danger to others.

Our Caseworkers attend community events and provide informational presentations.

• Updates on file status throughout the police investigation.
• Progression of the case through the criminal court system (if applicable).
• Overview on your rights through the Victims of Crime Act and Canadian Victims Bill of Rights.
• Explanation of criminal justice system specific to your case.
• Other assistance with information as requested.

Please note: most information you provide to us is confidential except four key safety areas where information shared must be reported to police – child abuse, harm to self, harm to others, and domestic abuse.