Aboriginal Victim Services
Program Objectives
- To lessen the impact of crime and trauma on victims and their families and to assist in their recovery.
- To increase victim safety and help reduce the risk of further victimization.
- To increase the level of participation and sense of empowerment for victims throughout their participation in the criminal justice system.
- To increase the effectiveness of a victim while acting as a witness in court proceedings.
Aboriginal Victim Services will provide justice-related services to assist Indigenous victims (Male and Female, Adults and Children) of all types of crime. This includes victims of crimes who may choose not to be involved in the criminal justice system.
Northern Shuswap Tribal Council supports the Aboriginal Victim Services Program to provide services to ALL Indigenous victims of crime in the Williams Lake RCMP Detachment area, and upon request will provide client service outside service area.
Client Services
Below are some of the information and services that Aboriginal Victim Services can provide to clients.
- EMOTIONAL SUPPORT:Provide victims with short-term emotional support to assist them in their recovery from the effects of crime and trauma, both victims who report to police and those who choose not to report to police.
- GENERAL INFORMATION:Including but not limited to:
- Victims of Crime Act (rights of victims)
- Safety Planning
- Justice System/Court Processes (federal and provincial legislation)
- Community, Government, Justice, Health and Other Resources
- JUSTICE-RELATED INFORMATION:Provide or facilitate access to case-specific information which may include but is not limited to:
- The Status of the Police Investigation
- Charges Laid Against the Offender
- Protective Orders
- Outcome of Court Appearance
- The Custodial Status of the Convicted Offender
- Length of sentence/Parole Information
- PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT:For additional support and/or services we can:
- Provide Referrals to Community, Government, Justice, Health and Other Resources
- Assist with applications for Crime Victim Assistance Program, Victim Impact Statement, and the Victim Notification Registration
- Coordinate Safety Planning, including liaison with justice system personnel, the victim safety unity and/or local community partnerships
- ACCOMPANIMENT:Provide in-person support at:
- Police, Community Corrections, Crown Counsel, or Court (for preliminary hearings, trials, and sentencing)
- Witness Orientation, Courtroom Etiquette and Procedures
- COMMUNITY RELATIONS:Maintain working relationships with local communities, government, justice, health, and other services providers to facilitate coordination, and maximize effective referrals across agencies.
- COURT SUPPORT:Provide victims with information about:
- The Court Processes
- Witness Orientation
- Liaison with Crown Counsel
- Specific Court Results (information as the case proceeds through the criminal justice system)
For more information, for a referral to a particular service, or for help navigating the criminal justice system in any way, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Staff Contacts
For further information please contact:
Noella William
Aboriginal Victim Services Manager
avs@nstq.org
250-392-7361 Ext. 207
250-305-2350
Jodie Sellars
Sexual Assault Coordinator
emergencysap2@nstq.org
250-392-7361 Ext. 202