Victims' Assistance

Posted by Bill Molesworth 
 
Doug introduced Marie McCallum, the Executive Director of VCARS (Vickers), the Victim Crisis Assistance Referral Service.  He said this critical service, which has been serving people in the Midland area since 1996, is little known and that Marie is hoping to make people more aware.
 

Marie agreed that this organization needed a higher profile and said that because of tight budgets it was very difficult to advertize, so she welcomed an opportunity such as this.
The mandate of the organization is to support people who are the victims of crime or tragedy.  Volulnteers are recruited to provide assistance to those who are referred by Police.  She said they had had a wonderful response from the communities, though she was sometimes asked what kind of people would volunteer for such a wrenching assignment - to volunteer to be constantly involved in tragic events.  She still doesn't have an answer for that - some have been victims themselves and want to spare others the sense of isolation they experienced but most appear to feel a commitment to others that have, through no fault of their own, been thrown into a terrifying and confusing situation. 
Volunteers get 40 hours of training, enough to get a competency to render emotional support to people who have been victims of domestic violence, sudden death in the family through accident or suicide, house fires and etc.  These volunteers take a load from the Police who, previously, were the only people on site and often had to stay while their professional services could have been used elsewhere.  They accompany victims to hospitals, to shelters, they render services to people who are bewildered and they present themselves as a neutral third party who can offer practical and objective advice.
The service is funded by a surcharge on traffic tickets.  Contact is mostly referrals from the Police but there is a direct line and community organizations can refer people.  The length of an assignment depends on need and contact can be maintained for as long as a year.  Some people who are considered at risk to themselves because of the stress they are experiencing are put on a scheduled contact program.
In response to a question from Fred she said volunteers are thoroughly screened before training and throughout the training process their behaviour is closely observed.  
Jamie thanked Marie for bringing this organization to our attention.  He said it was through our speakers that we learn more about our community and he was impressed and grateful that such a group is here.