Victim Services of Haldimand-Norfolk
VCARS THE ORGANIZATION
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
Over the past two decades, concern has growth in Canada for the rights and needs of the victims of crime. It has been recognized that more can be done to address the needs of crime and/or tragic circumstance and disaster in the Province of Ontario.
To demonstrate it's commitment to victims needs, the Victim Crisis Assistance and Referral Service (VCARS), was established as a pilot project in 1987 by the Ministry of the Solicitor General, with funding coordinated by the Ontario Women's Directorate through the Ontario Government's Joint Family Violence Initiative to demonstrate it's commitment to victims needs.
The pilot was a police-community based program using specially trained volunteers to deliver the victim service, dealing exclusively with the short term needs of the victims, framed on the crisis intervention model. The pilot project was launched in three sites, Brant, Frontenac Counties, and Southern Algoma District. The sites chosen were very diverse in their geographical and social service structure but similar in population. They represented three different regions in Ontario, especially in the Eastern, Western and Northern regions of the province.
The initial pilot project was four years in duration with flexibility built in for start-up time and evaluation. VCARS was designed to serve the immediate crisis needs of any consenting individual who came into contact with the police and whom the attending officer determined could benefit from the service. It was anticipated that the service's focus would be given to victims of spousal assault as well as other crimes with significant impact on individuals. As expected, many clients have been victims of spousal assault.
VCARS pilot project was seen to have had considerable impact on a number of areas. Perhaps most significantly, it has demonstrated that multiple police jurisdictions can be served by a community based location. As well, it has shown that victim's services can be provided primarily through the use of volunteers.
These two factors together provide ample evidence that appropriate models for victim's services can be developed within reasonable resource boundaries, and within the parameters of community policing philosophy.
The comprehensive review of the VCARS evaluation indicates that the model has proven capable of significant reducing the trauma and surrounding consequences of victimization. Moreover, the secondary victimization of individuals by the criminal justice system has been reduced as the skills required to handle this circumstance have been enhanced.
With the success of VCARS came recognition. Central, Eastern, Northern and Western Victim Assistance offices were established along with their respective Regional Coordinators who are available to provide assistance to communities wishing to develop or enhance services to victims of crime, tragic circumstance and disaster. The direct service (VCARS) became an entity unto it's own. The pilot sites are now community based and operational after ten years.
A police officer who had worked under the VCARS model in another area first introduced VCARS of H-N into our community in 1993. He felt that a service such as VCARS could be invaluable in a diverse rural area such as Haldimand-Norfolk. There are many obstacles for victims in Haldimand Norfolk when trying to obtain services after a traumatic situation. Some of the risk factors in our region are: vast geographical area with no urban focal point, no public transportation which isolates individuals without a vehicle, communication barriers because the region is divided by area codes, 905 and 519, plus many local newspapers that only publish within their small area, hindering knowledge of health and social agencies as well, being a tourist region, the large influx of summer vacationers brings additional risks. VCARS of H-N expanded the referring agencies to include police, fire, ambulance and hospital staff, to be sure that no victim would be overlooked for help.
The first team of crisis intervention volunteers graduated from training in January of 1996. The service then began operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing telephone crisis support region-wide and mobile crisis intervention in the Town of Haldimand. VCARS of Haldimand-Norfolk became accredited and The Ministry of the Solicitor General provided an operational grant November 1997. Until this time, the service operated with volunteer staff and only the money raised in the community. With solid financial backing, VCARS of HN became a charitably incorporated entity with its own governing Board of Directors. Expansion began as quickly as volunteers could be trained from the target municipalities. The service expanded first into the Town of Dunnville in May of 1997, and then in November of 1997, six months ahead of schedule, into the City of Nanticoke and the Town of Simcoe, after overwhelming demand from the referring agencies in these municipalities. Training continues to be a priority to meet the goal of providing region-wide mobile coverage by the end of 1998.
As of December 1998 we have trained and graduated seven groups of volunteers, boasting 90 volunteers in service to date. VCARS of HN has seen an eight time increase in the number of calls for service. The ambulance service has requested and has been accepted as a referring agency. The Ministry has completed our second annual site evaluation and designated VCARS of Haldimand-Norfolk as "a model rural site". There are now three identifiable areas of service: telephone crisis support, mobile crisis intervention, and community referrals/ public education. We have a continued need for fundraising to meet our budget and VCARS appreciates the ongoing and generous support of the communities and business within Haldimand-Norfolk.
When faced with such a monumental goal, most throw up their hands and say, what difference can a few make in the whole scheme of things? VACRS of HN has risen to the challenge of providing hope and healing to those in need. A few concerned volunteers can make a world of difference!
MISSION STATEMENT
VCARS of Haldimand-Norfolk is dedicated to providing emotional support, practical assistance, and community referral to victims of crime, tragic circumstance, and disaster. Specially trained community crisis intervention volunteers are available around the clock to empower individuals to reestablish control and start the healing process.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF VCAR of HN
1. To support our community by working hand-in-hand with:
2. To lesson the trauma of victimization for the victims of the Region of Haldimand Norfolk and the Mississaugas of the New Credit Nation:
3. Mobilizing crime prevention efforts in Haldimand and Norfolk Counties and the New Credit Reserve
4. Providing victims with volunteers sensitive to their individual needs
5. Providing culturally sensitive assistance to the large aboriginal population from both rural and urban communities
6. Collaborating with the community in area of concern:
7. Satisfy the community that victim's needs are being addressed without duplicating existing services
VCARS Believes IN: