RCMP K Division Police Based Victim Services 1

RCMP ‘K’ Division Police Based Victim Services 1

Memorandum of Understanding • Purpose: q Formalizes partnership between RCMP and SGPS q Sets out roles & responsibilities of each party in the areas of governance regarding service delivery to victims of crime and tragedy q Honours all provisions outlined in Victims of Crime Act q Honours provisions outlined in Victims of Crime Protocol Roles & Responsibilities

Overview • Victims of Crime Act and Guiding Principles • Victim assistance programs • Victim Advocate On Line. Training • Trained staff and volunteers • Services provided ü Information ü Assistance ü Referrals ü Court preparation and accompaniment

Overview cont. • Programs available to victims of crime ü Victim Impact Statement ü Financial Benefits ü Requesting Restitution • Victims of Crime Protocol • Contacts for further information

Victims of Crime Act • Defines principles respecting the treatment of victims of crime in Alberta. • Under the Act, surcharges collected on federal offences and provincial fines are deposited into the Victims of Crime Fund. • The fund supports programs and services for victims including: the Financial Benefits Program and a grants program that provides funding to eligible victim assistance programs.

Victim assistance programs • Provide information, assistance and referrals. • Operated by caring, compassionate staff and volunteers who can offer support. • Police-based (located in RCMP detachment or police service)

Victim Advocate On Line Training • Provides volunteer victim advocates with standardized training. • Volunteers become certified by the Solicitor General’s Office once they complete the training process. • Volunteer Advocates go through an RCMP Security Clearance

Staff and volunteers - training includes • Crisis intervention • Diversity • Domestic violence • Court preparation • Sudden death • Criminal justice process • Robbery • Financial Benefits Program • Property crimes • Victim Impact Statement Program • Bias crimes • Requesting Restitution Program

Services and information provided Information about • Legislation and programs • Criminal justice process • Status of the investigation • Court proceedings • Case disposition • Personal safety • Other community agencies that can help

Services and information provided cont. Assistance with • Crisis intervention • Bereavement • Safety planning Referrals for • Counseling • Shelters • Support groups • Specialized services

Services and information provided cont. Court preparation and accompaniment • Familiarize you with the courtroom. • Help you prepare to testify. • Attend court with you. • Vulnerable victims (children or people with disabilities) may be able to access additional supports.

Victim Impact Statement Program • Provides victims with an opportunity to describe in writing how they have been affected by the crime. • Tells the judge, at the time of sentencing, how the crime has affected you. • Victims choose whether they wish to prepare a victim impact statement or read the victim impact statement aloud in court. • Forms can be obtained from your local police-based victim assistance program.

Financial Benefits Program • Provides eligible victims of violent crime in Alberta with one-time payments based on the injuries they received. • Victims must report the crime to police and cooperate with the investigation. • Two-year time limit to apply, with some exceptions (i. e: child victims). • Victims should not wait to apply until charges are laid, or the court process is concluded.

Requesting Restitution Program • Requires the offender pay an amount to the victim, to help cover the victim’s monetary loss caused by the offence. • Ordered at the time of sentencing. • Forms can be obtained from your local police-based victim assistance program.

Victims of Crime Protocol • Principles that guide the people who work in the criminal justice system when they are in contact with you. • What you can expect from them after you report a crime. • What your responsibilities are. • What you can do in your contact with the criminal justice system. • Copies can be obtained from your local victim assistance program, or downloaded from www. victims. gov. ab. ca.

Further information • Contact your local Victim Assistance Program. Contact information is provided at www. victims. gov. ab. ca under “Related Agencies”. • Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security www. victims. gov. ab. ca • Alberta Police-based Victim Services Association www. apbvsa. com

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