250-832-0005
cbvs@safesociety.ca
The Community Based Victim Service program (CBVS) addresses the unique needs of victims of intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and power based crimes. The program supports female, male, gender-diverse, and child/youth victims and/or survivors of relationship violence, child sexual abuse, adult sexual abuse, sexual assault, elder abuse, and criminal harassment (stalking). The program is also able to assist non-offending family members and witnesses in criminal court cases.
Community Based Victim Services are available whether or not the victim/survivor has reported the crime to police. Services are provided with respect and focused on empowerment and knowledge for victims and survivors of crime.
Services include
- Emotional support: we take a non-judgmental and empathetic approach with all survivors to help you identify your strengths in coping with challenges, support you in making your own decisions, and help you develop a plan for your unique needs
- Legal information: the legal system may leave you feeling overwhelmed and understanding your role in the process can be empowering. We can help by providing information on protective orders, probation and parole, arrest and charges, your rights and rights of the accused, levels of court and court procedures, roles of justice system representatives, Victims of Crime Act, and updates on court files
- Information about abuse: we will assist you to learn about and understand different forms of abuse and how they can impact you
- Safety planning: to help you feel safe whether you are living in an abusive relationship, planning to leave, or have left an abuser
- Practical assistance: to support you and make you aware of your options, we can help with accompaniment (to report a crime to police, meet Crown Counsel, or to court), provide orientation/tour of the courthouse, and assist with Victim Impact Statements and/or Crime Victim Assistance applications
- Virtual Legal Clinic: access to virtual legal assistance in our office through Rise Women’s Legal Centre
- Referrals: Victim Service workers can offer referrals according to your needs
- Specialized support services are available to those who have experienced sexual assault. Click here for more information.
CBVS accepts self-referrals. Give us a call during office hours to speak directly to a victim support worker, or leave a message during non office hours.
Funded by the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
