Victim Assistance Team
The Victim Assistance Team is composed of trained and committed staff and volunteers who provide information, support and referrals to victims of crime and tragedy through three programs:
- The Call Centre: Victim Support Advocates (volunteers) initiate phone contact with victims of personal crime or tragedy providing case and court updates and information; emotional support and referrals to community agencies for counseling, bereavement and other appropriate support agencies.
Contact the Call Centre at 403-428-8398 or toll-free 1-888-327-7828.
- The Court Support Program: Victim Support Advocates provide information on the criminal justice system through court updates and court orientation for victims, families and witnesses.
- Crisis Response Program: Provides 24/7 crisis response to victims of crime and tragedy at the time of an incident. Teams may be called to the scene, hospital, home or District Office under the direction of Calgary Police Service members.
The Victim Resource Listing is an available online resource for victims of crime and tradegy, and provides further information about available programs and services.
Volunteer with the Victim Assistance Unit
The Victim Assistance Unit is looking for suitable volunteers to become Victim Support Advocates to provide information, support and referrals to victims of crime or tragedy. You must be at least 18 years of age, able to converse effectively in english, and commit to a minimum of 5 hours per week.
- Volunteer Victim Advocates initiate phone contact with victims of personal crime or tragedy providing case and court updates and information; emotional support and referrals to community agencies for counseling, bereavement and other appropriate support agencies. The call centre is located in Police Headquarters, 5111 47th Street NE.
- The Court Support Program: Volunteer Victim Advocates provide information on the criminal justice system through court updates; court orientation for victims and witnesses subpoenaed to testify and court accompaniment during preliminary hearings and trial. Volunteers in this program may work out the Provincial Courthouse located at 601 5th Street SW.
- The Crisis Response Program: Volunteers participating in this program will sign up for three “on call” shifts a month and may be called to provide immediate on-scene support in the community. Additional training, a valid vehicle operators license, and access to a vehicle is required. This program runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Volunteers who pass the application process and police security clearance are eligible to participate in one or all of these programs.
For more information about volunteering with the Victim Assistance Unit, call 403-428-8398.
Updated: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 2:14 PM