Victim services program set up

A new community-based victim support program will be established for the Fort Frances area.
The Victim Services Program will be available to assist law enforcement agencies in providing support to victims of crime, tragic circumstances, and disaster.
Trained community volunteers will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide assistance to assist the victim and family.
Volunteers will be able to provide assistance for a victim’s immediate needs, and supply information about other community services available in times of crisis.
A Sexual Assault Counselling Program also will be a component of this new program, with one-to-one sexual assault counselling offered, as well as group counselling provided by professional counsellors.
Other available services for victims will be Information and Referral Services, Community and Public Education, and Personal Safety Planning Assistance.
The Victim Services Program will link with other valuable programs in the area to provide a continuum of services to victims in our catchment area.
The program proposal to the Minister of the Attorney General, Ontario Victim Services Secretariat, was a partnership between the OPP and several community partners.
These included representation from the Fort Frances Police Services Board/Community Policing Committee, United Native Friendship Centre, Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau, Provincial Court, Probation Services, and Family & Children Services.
Other community partners were the Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre, local lawyer Wes Derkson, and the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board.