When you feel the slap of crime in your life, there are healing hands to get in touch with afterward.
Three of the most prolific agencies helping Prince George victims get through their experiences are gathered this week to launch National Victims of Crime Awareness Week and remind the public of a group of related events.
"All communities see some form of victimization, but we definitely can have some very harsh crimes happen here," said Krista Levar, co-ordinator for RCMP Victim Services.
"We get a little bit of everything. I would be hard-pressed to tell you which crime type is predominant: assault, sexual assault... There can even be differences depending on the weather. In winter there are more incidents of violence in the home; in summer we have more violence outside."
In each case the victims -- either the ones who suffered the brunt of the crime or their loved ones -- have resources available through Levar's office, or through the Elizabeth Fry Society, or through Native Healing Centre.
"It crosses all ethnic and social demographics," said Bally Bassi, program director at the Elizabeth Fry Society.
Also present was Chris Dalziel of the Native Healing Centre's Aboriginal Community-Based Victim Services program.
Together they hosted a Community Roundtable Tuesday called "Partnering to Mobilize Leaders to Take a Proactive Role" at the Prince George Native Friendship Centre.
FACT BOX
In 2010, the Elizabeth Fry Society, the Native Healing Centre and RCMP Victim Services
- provided 3,500 services
- attended to 2,000 new clients (603 cases were family-violence related)
- made 4,000 referrals to other community services
- invested 10,000 staff hours
- invested 7,000 more hours by volunteers
EVENTS
On Thursday the trio will co-host a Human Trafficking Workshop (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) at the Ramada Hotel (lunch and refreshments included). Registration fee is $25.
Also on Thursday is the 2nd Annual Celebration Gala for Victims of Crime Awareness Week (6 p.m. to 10 p.m.) at the Ramada Hotel with keynote speaker Rosalind Currie from the Office to Combat Trafficking In Persons.
To register please email [email protected] or call 250-563-1113.
