Victims of Crime Awareness Week

"We All Have a Role" is the theme of this year's National Victims of Crime Awareness Week, being recognized across Canada from April 21-27, 2013. Activities across the country will focus on raising awareness of services available to victims of crime in Canada, and highlight the specific roles each provides. In Saskatchewan, three provincial organizations are partnering to bring awareness to the public about the services available throughout the province. Saskatchewan Towards Offering Partnership Solutions (STOPS) to Violence, Sexual Assault Services of Saskatchewan (SASS) and the Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan (PATHS) are encouraging Saskatchewan residents who have been impacted by crime and violence to seek out services and to support others by sharing information.

The impact and consequences of criminal victimization can involve physical injury, financial loss, and property damage, as well as psychological and emotional after-effects. Saskatchewan and Manitoba have consistently recorded the highest provincial rates of police-reported violent crime. The total economic impact of spousal violence in Canada in 2009 is estimated at $7.4 billion.

"You think it can't happen to you, and then it does." said Tracy Knutson, Provincial Coordinator of STOPS to Violence. "Being a victim of crime can be a life-altering experience. There are programs and services that can help you through these experiences. It is our role to increase awareness of the services that are available across our province and to encourage people to reach out and support others by providing information on who to turn to for help."

"Friends and family are most often who you will go to for help and provide a great support system, but if you are suddenly faced with a crisis or find yourself in a court situation, a trained professional or volunteer can make all the difference in your understanding of the issue and the next steps you choose to take," said Dianna Graves, executive director of SASS.

"These services are provincially funded for your benefit." Graves said.

Karen Closs, Co-Chair of PATHS, describes the importance of support for all individuals who are affected by crime and violence, especially children. "Many service agencies are able to help secondary victims, such as children who are exposed to violence when living in a house with abuse. Children are very vulnerable. Not only are they more at risk of physical and sexual assault than adults, they are more impressionable and often scared to tell adults about what they are experiencing," Closs said.

In Saskatchewan, there are many services available to support victims of crime in our communities. These range from shelters and transition houses that provide services to women and children who are seeking safety from domestic violence, to 24 hour crisis lines, telephone counselling lines and service organizations that support people, regardless of gender, who have experienced trauma. In addition, the Ministry of Justice provides funding for police-based Victim Services Programs in Saskatchewan. These programs work closely with police, and assist victims in the immediate aftermath of a crime or tragedy and throughout the criminal justice process. Services offered to meet the needs of victims include crisis intervention, information, support, and referrals to other specialized programs and services.

To learn more about services available across Saskatchewan, visit www.stopstoviolence.com