Goals & Guidelines
Goals of the Central Alberta Victim & Witness Support Society:
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Lessen the immediate impact of a crime on a victim
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Help victims cope with the effects of a crime by providing support, information and referrals to existing social agencies
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Focus on the prevention of further victimization and provide encouragement to the victim
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Help to increase the "availability time" of RCMP Members and be of service to investigators by providing assistance to the victim during the investigation of a crime
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Actively participate in preventative crime deterrents with potential victims
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Promote positive liaisons between RCMP Members, Court systems and the victim
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Promote ongoing public awareness
Guiding Principles for Helping Victims:
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To treat victims with courtesy and compassion and respect their dignity and privacy so they only suffer the minimum inconvenience from their involvement with the criminal justice system
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To ensure victims receive prompt and fair attention for the harm they have suffered
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To provide information regarding the victim’s rights, remedies and the methods to obtain them
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To provide information to the victims about their participation in criminal proceedings, scheduling and disposition
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To ascertain the views and concerns of the victims and provide the appropriate assistance throughout the criminal process
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To ensure the personal interests, views and concerns of the victim are brought to the attention of the court where appropriate and consistent with criminal law and procedure
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To provide options to the victims and their families to ensure their safety
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To inform the victim of health and social services and other relevant assistance
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To encourage victims to report the crime and cooperate with law enforcement
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To provide well-trained volunteers who are able to maintain the integrity of the Central Alberta Victim & Witness Support Society and that all contact with members, victims and the public at large is kept confidential