In recognition of National Victims and Survivors of Crime Awareness Week, Victim Services Huron Perth hosted a training session for community stakeholders earlier this week.
Deborah Logue, the Executive Director for Victim Services Huron Perth, says the organization is a referral based organization that supports anyone impacted by a crime or tragedy.
"We have the ability to apply for funding pockets through our government for things like counselling or home safety and security. For instance, we can help domestic violence survivors have the locks changed if they remove their partner from their home, or counselling to help with the healing process of what they went through," Logue explained.
Logue says they work closely with local police, emergency services, and other social advocacy organizations to provide victims with support tailored to their needs. She points out that the organization has offices in all three local police detachments (Huron and Perth County OPP and Stratford Police Service), and if needed, they will work with people right at the police station to help them navigate any situation they may find themselves in that requires support.
"So ultimately if someone comes in to say, do a victim impact statement, or a witness statement, an officer may bring them down and introduce them to us and ask us to support them. But ultimately if someone wants to pursue a healing journey without having police involvement, we can certainly do that, you don't have to make a police report. Obviously we encourage that, because we want bad people to pay for what they've done, but we do not force anyone or judge anyone for the steps they personally want to take," said Logue.
However, Logue adds that there does not have to be police involvement to access the services offered by Victim Services.
"Anybody that's impacted through a crime or tragedy can be supported by us. So they don't have to meet a certain threshold or have it be a certain crime type, or have police involvement, we can support anyone who's had something terrible happen to them and connect them to whatever resource they need," added Logue.
With respect to the training sessions, they were held on Monday, May 11 with over 100 local community stakeholders.
The sessions "focused on culturally informed responses to trauma and violence. Participants explored topics including identity, equity, anti-racism, trauma-responsive practice, and culturally grounded approaches to healing and support. The training also included a First Nations, Inuit and Métis (FNIM)-led circle centred on reflection, connection, and community," according to a statement from Victim Services.
The morning of the event featured Steve Didham, MSW, RSW, founder of Phoenix Consulting and Counselling, whose work focuses on trauma-responsive leadership, reflective supervision, equity-informed practice, and supporting organizations serving individuals and communities impacted by trauma.
For more information, including how to contact them for support, visit the Victim Services Huron Perth website here: https://victimserviceshuronperth.ca/.
