We often think of laws as pertaining to criminals or dealing with criminal matters. These laws come from Acts, passed by the government.
There are also acts that help in dealing with victims of crime. In this province, we have the Alberta Victims of Crime Act.
The act is based on 11 guiding principles designed to help people who have been negatively affected by crime. They include privacy, advocacy, timely help and other guidelines designed to help victims wade through the justice system in a humane and sensitive manner.
Vicim Services facilitates the act on behalf of Albertans.
In Slave Lake, like many other communities, Victim Services works closely with the RCMP and the offices of the Crown Prosecutor, though it is a separate entity.
Slave Lake’s Evelyn Norberg filled the role of Victim Services Coordinator for many years. She recently retired from the position, which has since been filled by successor Wanda Amor.
“My daughter is graduating this year, and I wanted to do something different,” says Amor. Like many parents of kids getting ready to leave the nest, Amor still wanted to provide guidance. “I wanted to see how I could help my community.”
The position definitely fits the bill. Acting as a go-between for the many different hoops victims of crime may have to jump through, victim services workers provide help with grief counseling, referrals, victim impact statements, setting up of legal aid and more.
“I started out volunteering, and was hired in January,” says Amor, who, despite training adds, “There is still so much to learn.”
Amor oversees the operations out of a tiny room attached to the RCMP detachment, where she shares an office with Assistant Coordinator Alice Auger. Together, they work with five volunteers who work in the field, directly helping those in need. Still, says Amor, they could use more help.
Looking to capitalize on volunteers strengths, Victim Services figures they could use up to 15 people to help out. This would give people the help they need as soon as they need it, and free up volunteers to work with cases that are underway.
“I call our volunteers ‘silent angels.’ These people would give you the shirt off their backs, and they do it because they really want to help.”
If you would like to help out in anyway, contact Victim Services at 780-849-6884, or email victimservices2008@gail.com

Copyright © 2000 The Lakeside Leader. All Rights Reserved.
No part may be reproduced without written permission.

View our Privacy Statement.
Send website suggestions to the Webmaster