About Us
What we do
When people are victimized by crime or tragedy, they may be confused, overwhelmed, and distrustful of others. They may experience various physical, emotional, behavioral and cognitive difficulties.
We are an organization of volunteers who provide support in the event of a crime or tragedy to help alleviate the impact of the event. We provide emotional support which includes answering questions and providing information. This will assist in lessening the impact of the crisis for the victim. Also practical assistance and follow up consultation are provided when necessary to determine what further information or support the Victim requires.
Advocates also identify longer term needs by responding to the victim’s concerns and supplying them with appropriate options and referral services in the community that will assist them in accessing resources for further assistance. We provide resource material and information on crime prevention, as well as, Solicitor General Programs available such as the Financial Benefits Program, the Victim Impact Statement Program, and the Restitution Program. When victims want information about their case, we liaise with those handling the police file to answer your questions about police procedures, the court system and any pertinent questions that may arise.
“The greatest personal limitation is to be found not in the things you want to do and can’t, but in the things you’ve never considered doing.”
― Richard Bandler
Contact Us
-
Hinton Victim Services Unit
Email
Executive Director - Natascha Thoennes
111 Civic Centre Road
Hinton, Alberta T7V 1T8
Telephone 780-740-2227
Fax: 780-865-1410
Emergency 24/7: 911
Facebook Page
Our Guiding Principles
- Victims of crime should be treated with courtesy, compassion, and respect.
- The privacy of victims should be considered and respected to the greatest extent possible.
- All reasonable measures should be taken to minimize inconvenience to victims.
- The safety and security of victims should be considered at all stages of the criminal justice process and appropriate measures should be taken when necessary to protect victims from intimidation and retaliation.
- Information should be provided to victims about the criminal justice system and the victim’s role and opportunities to participate in criminal justice processes.
- Victims should be given information, in accordance with prevailing law, policies, and procedures, about the status of the investigation; the scheduling, progress and final outcome of the proceedings; and the status of the offender in the correctional system.
- Information should be provided to victims about available victim assistance services, other programs and assistance available to them, and means of obtaining financial reparation.
- The views, concerns and representations of victims are an important consideration in criminal justice processes and should be considered in
- The needs, concerns, and diversity of victims should be considered in the development and delivery of programs and services and in related education and training.
- Information should be provided to victims about available options to raise their concerns when they believe that these principles have not been followed.
Our Programs Include:
- Over 100 Alberta Police based Programs currently operating.
- Victim Service programs handle on 31, 000 new cases a year in Alberta. Over half involve assisting victims of violent crime.
- Each year, Victim Services programs provide service on average, to 38, 000 Albertans.
- Approximately 1,640 volunteers and Boar0d Members contribute an average of 230,000 hours per year.