WHAT IS VICTIM SERVICES?

VICTIM SERVICES is a program designed to help people in crisis. The VICTIM SERVICES model uses trained Victim Crisis Responders to provide immediate onsite crisis intervention to victims of crime or tragic events. It allows a community to participate in reducing the negative impact of crime and tragedy, both for those who have been personally traumatized by an event and the larger community that is also affected.

VICTIM SERVICES is an excellent tool to help emergency services provide timely support to victims in their communities. While each persons response to trauma is highly individual, people who have been victims of crime or a tragic event share a sense of having lost control over their situation. They share a need to speak to someone who will understand a need for immediate reassurance about their personal safety and a need for practical information about options available to them.

Victims are at their most vulnerable and their normal coping skills are reduced by stress.

BASIC PRINCIPLES

All victims of crime or tragedy have a right to:

• Sensitive and non-judgmental support
• Make their own choices and decisions, including the right to consent to or decline VICTIM SERVICES
  
• Confidentiality
  
• Up-to-date information about available services
  

MISSION STATEMENT

Muskoka Victim Services is a non-profit community based organization working in partnership with police and emergency services to meet the short term needs of victims of crime and tragic circumstances by providing emotional support, practical assistance and referrals to community resources.

OBJECTIVES

We achieve our mission by:

• Providing direct service to victims of crime and tragic events
  
• Providing community education, training and development
  
• Engaging in advocacy for victims
  
• Committing to ongoing evaluation of the services we provide
  
• Coordinating services with other community organizations

GOALS

• To reduce the impact of crime or tragic circumstances on victims by providing timely crisis intervention, emotional and practical support;
  
• To assist victims of crime and tragic circumstances by providing referrals to appropriate community resources
  
• Help the victim regain a sense of personal control
  
• Enable the victim to cope with their immediate situation
  
• Help the victim prioritize their next steps
  
• To provide public education regarding the effects of crime and tragic circumstances on victims and the existence of resources within the community

 

You don't have to be a victim to contact us.

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Let us help you!

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We can offer referrals
to agencies in our community that can assist you with any thing that you are dealing with.

 

 

 

 

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© Muskoka Victim Services 2011

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