Victim Services Looking for New Team Members

Thursday, January 13, 2011 11:13 AM

Prince George, B.C.- There is a call out for more people to volunteer to be part of the Victim Services team.

These are the volunteers who attend the scene when there is a need for support for those who have become the victim of, or witness to, a crime, a crash, or any event which leaves people in an emotional upset.

Krista Levar is the Victim Services Coordinator in Prince George and says the team likes to have about 20 volunteers who can, when needed, respond. “When there is an event, sometimes people who are not physically injured, are in shock, they need someone they can talk to, share their emotions with and we are there to help.”

Tonight, at the City Hall Annex, there is a special information session for people who are interested in joining the Victims Services team. Levar says there are some basic requirements, such as being over 19 and having a valid drivers license and a clean criminal record, but she says beyond that, any volunteer hopeful should have a caring, nurturing spirit.

Volunteers are expected to be on call one weekend per month, and will undergo an extensive training program. Volunteers may also be called upon to help people prepare for the Court process and with other services the victims may need.

The information session this evening will provide an opportunity for those interested in volunteering to hear from current team members and get a better sense of the roles and responsibilities. The information session is set to start at 7 p.m.

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Posted on Thursday, January 13, 2011 11:13 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: western2 on January 13 2011 8:06 PM

When my wife and I were in a horrible situation where some drug dealers were harassing us, victim services were so clumsy, they almost ruined our lives. The RCMP were believing (at that time) that we were the bad guys and victim services offered us no help. They seem to hire useless idiots without any real training or brains. Usually volunteers are people with no social life or can't do anything else. I sound cold but wait until you need their services, you'll wish you didn't both with them. Be careful what you tell these inexperienced people. I work in the professional world and would rather more educated people be relegated to this task.

Posted by: interceptor on January 13 2011 9:29 PM

Usually volunteers are people with no social life or can't do anything else? Sorry that you were involved with drug dealers (maybe that says something right there) but my wife and I both volunteer for a lot of causes and services around town. We are also both in professional jobs and yes we have a social life. We do it because usually its rewarding but I suspect if we ever had to help you it wouldn't be enough would it?