BY BILL PHILLIPS
Transforming Cultures Together is the theme of Victims and Survivors of Crime Week.
Three locally-based victim service providers Prince George RCMP Victim Services, Community-Based Victim Services (The Elizabeth Fry Society) and the Aboriginal Community-Based Victim Services (Prince George Native Friendship Centre) are highlighting the work they do with events this week.
This is the 11th year the three groups have come together to acknowledge victims and survivors crime.
“We’re talking about moving from language away from being a victim to being a survivor or to being on a healing journey,” said Erin Anderlini, health director at the Native Friendship Centre. “That can be more helpful for people who have experienced trauma.”
There are a number of activities throughout the week, which kicked off with a self defence session in Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park.
Today there are service provider workshops, which will include the First Nations Court, Restorative Justice, and the Moose Hide campaign.
“On Thursday we will have an appreciation lunch for all victim services workers in Prince George and service providers who are working towards supporting and assisting victims of crime,” said Bally Bassi, with Elizabeth Fry. “And that’s all crime, whether it’s sexual abuse, financial abuse, physical abuse, violence against women, violence against families, sudden death, emergency situations.”
The three groups have been working together for 11 years and it’s a partnership that obviously works.
“It’s a been a great journey,” said Krisa Levar, of Prince George RCMP Victim Services. “We’re a really lucky community because we do work together so well and we put a focus on this as a top priority.”
Victim Services units support victims and survivors of crime throughout the often harrowing events surrounding a tragedy or trauma by providing crisis intervention, emotional support and information about the criminal justice system. This very important week of recognition and learning will offer many opportunities for the public to expand their scope of knowledge in relation to the issues victims and survivors of crime face, as well as the role Victim Services plays for Prince George citizens.
If anyone wants to attend the luncheon on Thursday, call 250-564-4324 to register.
