Prince George, B.C. – The call is out for volunteers to work with Prince George RCMP Victim Services. 

Right now, there are 12 volunteers with Victim Services, but Coordinator Krista Levar says they would like to boost that number to 20. 

need help Victim Services case workers attend crime scenes with officers and offer support to victims “You could be going to any type of crime you could possibly think of” says Victim Services coordinator Krista Levar “It could be a domestic dispute, a sexual assault, a murder, you name it. Wherever there’s a potential   of victims, we would be there to assist the people.” 

Volunteers may also be called upon to work in the Victims Services office to follow up with clients who may not have needed support on scene, but need some direction on where they can access the proper services or supports following an incident. Volunteers may also accompany clients to court appearances . 

Victim Services volunteer work is not for everyone, Levar says it takes a special kind of person “You have to be quite a strong person to do this kind of work but also you have to be compassionate and empathetic because people don’t necessarily want sympathy, they want empathy.” 

Those who sign up to volunteer will undergo vigorous training, and a detailed criminal records check. Volunteers will be expected to commit to 16 hours of work each month. 

A special meeting has been set for this evening so those interested in this kind of work can find out more, ask questions, and hear from those who are already part of the Victim Services team. The meeting will take place at the Prince George detachment at 7 p.m. potential volunteers must be at least 19 years old and must have Government issued identification. 

Levar says volunteers need to have a sense of community and wanting to help others “The work you are doing is impactful, it’s meaningful, and you’re connecting with people right away. People from all walks of life need help , so, however you can be of assistance, if you have that kind of personality to help, this is a great opportunity to do that.”