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Sections & Units
Our Mission:
"To optimize public safety
in the City of Calgary"
Community & Youth Services Section
Victim Assistance Unit
Since 1977, a concerned, committed and highly trained group of victim support workers, supervised by calgary police service personnel, has been providing ongoing support, information and referral services to victims of crime or misfortune.
Victim Assistance Unit Quick Links:
Support
When you're the victim of crime or misfortune, you may experience feelings of:
- fear
- anger
- violation
- anxiety
- isolation
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- helplessness
- depression
- self-doubt
- stress
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- shock
- disbelief
- hurt
- "why me"
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Victims of crime are often overwhelmed and confused, distrustful of others, and unsure how to deal with the emotional trauma.
The Victim Assistance Unit can help you deal with these feelings. We provide a listening ear, comfort and reassurance. We want you to know that "you're not alone," that it's all right to feel the way you do - and that many of your fellow calgarians, also the victims of crime or misfortune, share the same feelings.
The Victim Assistance Unit is a source of support to thousands of Calgarians. Our services are free and confidential.
Information
When you want information about your case, the Victim Assistance Unit acts as a direct pipeline to those handling your police file. There's no guessing, there's no confusion. The Victim Assistance Unit is here to make your life easier in these troubling times. Your questions about police procedures, the court system and other important matters are answered promptly and completely:
- Has an arrest been made?
- When is my court date?
- How do I file a victim impact statement?
- How do I report additional stolen property?
- Who is the police officer in charge of my case?
The Victim Assistance Unit will provide you with information and resource material appropriate to your needs, such as financial benefits and crime prevention. The Victim Assistance Unit also offer robbery trauma and domestic violence information.
Referrals
Putting you in touch with other community agencies and organizations that may be helpful is also part of our service. These referrals include:
- Counselling agencies
- Distress/crisis lines
- Public trustee
- Medical examiner's office
All counselling agency referrals offered through the Victim Assistance Unit provides services free of charge or on a sliding scale based on income.
Victim Assistance Programs & Services
Victim Assistance Support Team
The Victim Assistance Support Team (VAST) was created in February 2000 to provide a timely response to victims of crime and/or tragedy.
Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through officer referral, VAST provides immediate practical and emotional support at the scene, at the home or in the hospital. VAST can provide victims or witnesses information on police and court policies and procedures, safety planning, residential security and bereavement support.
VAST volunteers receive an additional 92 hours of training to provide immediate assistance and support.
The Victim Assistance Unit can provide information required for the completion of:
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Victim Impact Statement
A victim impact statement allows you to express in writing to a judge how being a victim of crime has affected you and the people close to you. Upon conviction, this information is taken into consideration by the judge before handing down a sentence.
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Restitution
When charges have been laid in a criminal offence you can apply for restitution. Restitution is a way for the offender to repay material, property or financial loss that you have suffered.
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Financial Benefits
You have suffered a physical or emotional injury as a direct result of being the victim of a violent crime that occurred in Alberta. This financial award is intended to assist you through a difficult time and is not compensation.
Victim Assistance Unit Court Support Program
The Victim Assistance Unit Court Support Program has a partnership with:
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The Child Witness Court Preparation Program.
This agency provides Court preparation for victims and/or witnesses aged 3 to 17 years.
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Calgary Legal Guidance.
Free services include:
- Specialized support for victims of Domestic Violence.
- Court preparation
- Court accompaniment
- Referrals for restraining orders
- Referrals for child care
- Referrals for counseling
Contact the Victim Assistance Unit at (403) 206-8398 (fax (403) 216-5356)
Dealing With Trauma
Trauma is not a sign of weakness and knows no gender or racial boundaries. During or after crime or misfortune, feelings of fear, anger and depression can affect the victim.
The trauma one feels after being victimized can never be fully anticipated. No matter what type of crime has been committed against you, you face the real possibility of suffering emotional trauma. Trauma is not a sign of weakness and knows no gender or racial boundaries. Either during the victimization, or after, it can affect you.
What To Do?
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Talk:
Discussion with friends, family or professionals can help you work through the trauma.
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Acceptance:
Understand that it was not your fault and that you had no control over the events during the victimization.
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Practice Patience:
Realize that it will take time to heal. Emotions and feelings need to be worked through - recovery may not happen overnight.
Be Good to Yourself:
It's okay to believe in yourself once more and to trust others again. Although this was a negative experience, it can be dealt with. Don't be afraid to show your emotions. They are normal. Keeping them inside may slow the healing process.
Where to Turn?
- Family members
- Employee assistance programs at your place of work
- Mental health agencies
- Social services
- Physicians
- Clergy
- Or contact the Victim Assistance Unit at (403) 206-8398 (fax (403) 216-5356)
Share Your Bear Program
A partnership between Kids Help Phone and the Victim Assistance Unit, the share your bear program donates teddy bears to children adversely affected by crime. The bears are tagged with the kids help phone (1-800-668-6868) and the Calgary Police Service telephone numbers and distributed by Victim Assistance Support Team (VAST) volunteers to children affected by crime.
To donate a teddy bear or start a donation drive, contact Kids Help Phone at (403) 645-4086.
If you are a victim of crime and require any of these free services, please call the Victim Assistance Unit at (403) 206-8398.
Volunteer Recruiting
- Are you looking for challenging and rewarding volunteer experience?
- Are you a caring and compassionate person?
- Do you enjoy learning new skills that you can apply to real life situations?
- Do you want to give back to your community by helping others?
The Calgary Police Service Victim Assistance Unit is looking for suitable volunteers to become Victim Support Workers to provide information, support and referrals to victims of crime or tragedy. You must be at least 18 years of age and be able to converse effectively in English. To volunteer with The Victim Assistance Unit call 206-8398.
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