BY SIMONE J. SMITH
Crime and violence are an unfortunate part of our reality; some of us have to deal with crime and violence directly, and have no idea how to navigate it. Hopefully this article will provide a clear definition of what being a victim of crime looks and feels like, and to provide the reader with resources that they can utilize or share with a loved one.
Under the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights, a victim of crime is defined as a person who has suffered physical or emotional harm, property damage or economic loss as a result of crime. This definition goes to serve a person at any age, and of any sexual identity. Victims have a right to information, to protection under the law, to participation in the criminal justice system, and to have restitution considered.
It is important to bring about awareness on being a victim, and one way that Ontario has done this is by dedicating a week to victims and survivors of crime. Victims and Survivors of Crime Week is an annual outreach initiative of the Justice Canada Policy Centre for Victim Issues, which supports organizations and programs that offer Victim Services. Victim Services refers to the agencies and programs that offer a broad range of services to assist victims of crime and trauma. These include: immediate crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (on site or by telephone); practical assistance (e.g., transportation, telephone calls); emergency financial assistance, information, and referrals to other community services for longer term support. What I will do is provide a list of services for you to refer to closer to the end of this article.
Victims and Survivors of Crime week took place from May 26th, 2019, to June 1st, 2019. The Rexdale Women’s Centre was an active participant in this year’s Victims and Survivors of Crime Week. Canada has made significant advances within the criminal justice system and victim services field to increase collaboration between organizations in the community and the criminal justice system. With the theme “The Power of Collaboration,” it was no surprise to see how well the Rexdale Women’s Centre was able to pool a group of wonderful organizations together to welcome in Victims and Survivors of Crime Week. On Wednesday May 29, 2019, from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, the community gathered at Rexdale Community Hub located at 21 Panarama Court to provide and offer support to victims of trauma.
I had an opportunity to sit down with Dr. Saadia Akram-Pall, the Director of Programming at RWC, and she bared witness to the need for cross-sector collaboration, enhanced coordination, partnerships, and multi-disciplinary response to better support victims. “It is important to us at RWC to support and empower people in understanding that they are not alone. We see the need of the community, and we want to do more to address gaps in the continuum of services, and to break down barriers for better access to meaningful systems of support. We are thankful to the Department of Justice Canada Victims Fund for providing funding for projects and events that support our vulnerable community members.”
The event included speakers and victims who had successfully navigated the system and who wanted to share their testimonies; the collaboration aspect was seen when you looked around the room and saw all the organizations that had decided to be part of the day. It is scary when you feel alone, and my hope is readers will be able to utilize the provided resources for themselves, or to share it with someone who might need it. It is impressive to see how much is being offered to the community, and we want to thank the Rexdale Women’s Centre team for all of their efforts and for their years of community service. For more information on the services they do offer, you can visit http://www.rexdalewomen.org/. Below is a list of resources as promised; know that there is help out there; you just have to ask for it.
Black Youth Helpline
Helping Canada’s Children and youth remains and succeed in school and community.
Phone: 416-285-9944 or 416-739-8989
Toll Free: 1-833-294-8650
Website: www.blackyouth.ca
The Gatehouse
Since 1998, The Gatehouse has been a safe place for survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
416-255-5900
Assaulted Women’s Helpline
Are you currently living with abuse?
A 24-hour helpline in the province of Ontario
416-863-0511
Kids Help Phone
Free professional counselling available online or by phone
Anonymous and confidential
Download the free chat app TODAY!
1-800-668-6868’
Centre for Grief and Healing
Bereaved Families of Ontario-Halton/Peel
Offering Weekly Share & Support Groups and Program for the entire family.
905-848-4337
Victim Services Toronto
Helping people in the immediate aftermath of crime or sudden tragedy
416-808-7066
Delta Family Resource Centre
Offering FREE culturally appropriate & evidence based counselling services.
For more information and Registration: 416-747-1172
Anishinabe Women’s Crisis Home & Family Healing Agency
Talk4Healing provides culturally sensitive and confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in 14 languages including Cree, Ojibwe, and Oji-Cree.
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