About Sylvan Lake & District Victim Services
Who We Are
The Sylvan Lake and District Victim Services unit is a not-for-profit organization based at the RCMP detachment in Sylvan Lake. We offer compassionate, informative support services to victims of crime in Sylvan Lake and the surrounding area. We are governed by a volunteer board consisting of representatives from the greater Sylvan Lake community and the regional RCMP detachment.
Extensively trained volunteer Victim Advocates from the Sylvan Lake region provide the front-line support to the victims of tragedy, abuse or trauma in our area. These volunteers have specialized expertise and security clearance through the RCMP, and continue to receive training throughout their term of service. They are led by a Staff Coordinator who maintains communications with the RCMP and other emergency responders who refer clients to Sylvan Lake and District Victim Services.
What We Do
Sylvan Lake and District Victim Services offers crisis intervention 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with the goal of alleviating trauma and reducing the emotional impact of a crisis situation. We also act as a referral service, providing appropriate information and direction to service providers that victims of crime and tragedy may require.
Our core purpose is to be the compassionate face of law enforcement when police are called in to respond to a crime, crisis or emergency. Victim Service advocates will be contacted to give caring support, referral information and other timely assistance as required by the client. We also answer calls for assistance from EMS, Fire and Hospital personnel. Additionally, we provide Debriefings and Critical Stress Incident Management (CISM) for those in need.
Victim and Witness Court Support
Our volunteers are educated to assist victims of, or witnesses to, a crime who are involved in court proceedings. Volunteer advocates meet with those individuals requiring guidance prior to the court date to help them through that sometimes intimidating experience. The goal is to help alleviate fears they may have and to familiarize our clients with the legal process.
Advocates may, if requested, attend Court with the victim or witness as moral support or to further assist them in understanding the proceedings. These Advocates also liaise with Crown Prosecutors and Court personnel, in order to keep victims informed and to maintain communications in a secure environment.