Searching for Victims Of Crime Support Programs

The regional sexual assault and domestic violence care centre of Halton

• team is made up of Registered Nurses (RN), Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) and physicians who provide care on an emergency basis
• RN's work with paediatricians when caring for children
• a registered social worker is also available
• offers choice of care
• services can be provided with or without police involvement

Services include:

• acute care for an assault has occurred within the last 12 days including crisis intervention and emotional support, documentation of assault and injuries, safety planning, and referrals to community agencies for further support
• non-acute care for an assault has occurred more than 12 days ago
• follow-up care
• sexual assault
• domestic abuse

Provides short-term emotional support and practical assistance to victims of crime and road trauma, which encompasses serious personal injuries and fatalities

• volunteers are specially trained individuals who help victims cope during crisis situations
• Annual Angels N' Motion 5k Run/Walk fundraiser in September

Offers individual and group counselling for women who have experienced emotional, physical and/or sexual abuse by a partner
* available in-person, by video or phone

Individual counselling:
* individual counselling and therapy services are tailored to meet the specific needs of each woman
* information on abuse, safety planning and community resources is also available
* services are free of charge and offered in Oakville, Burlington, Milton, and Georgetown

Education and support groups:
* eight week group provides an opportunity to decrease isolation and to gain insight into the experience and impact of living with abuse and control
* group is offered frequently, day and evening groups are available

Safety Zone Program

A 12-week group education and counselling program on domestic violence and non-abusive ways of resolving conflict

Victims and/or partners of the offender are provided with support including safety planning, referrals to community resources, and information on the offender's progress.

The program helps participants to:
* take full responsibility for their behaviour
* understand the effects of their behaviour on their partner and their children
* identify and change attitudes that lead to abusive behaviour
* learn to respect the opinions and wishes of all family members

There are separate programs for men and women:
* men's groups are located in Burlington and Milton
* women's groups are located in Burlington
* individual sessions are provided for those with same sex-partners

Trained community members who meet with victims, young people accused of minor, non-violent offenses, and their parents, to negotiate an appropriate way for the young person to make amends for their actions. The Committee may develop and implement alternatives to formal court proceedings, either on referral by police or the Crown.

This is a committee comprised of trained senior volunteers who mentor and support other seniors and older adults who have committed an offense in the community.
The committee works with the offender to determine appropriate sanctions consistent with restorative justice practices. These may include:

• Community service
• Letter of apology
• Financial restitution
• Participation in community programming
• Counselling

Funded by Service Canada and New Horizons For Seniors Program

Address issues, concerns, and challenges affecting seniors and disabled adults with respect to the law. This position is a community-based and community-driven initiative.

Information and support is available to seniors, their families or service providers. Programs and presentations are researched, developed and presented on a variety of topics (such as quality of life issues, frauds and scams, personal/home safety, etc.). Reports of abuse (physical, financial, psychological, or neglect) are forwarded to the officers for assessment and further investigation if required. Cases identified as criminal offences are followed up. Major cases may be referred to the Crimes Against Seniors Unit for further investigation.

Supports direct victims, their immediate family members, and witnesses in the immediate aftermath of violent crimes by providing short-term support with essential expenses in order to lessen the impact of the crime, enhance safety, and meet immediate practical needs arising from the commission of the crime.

Support is available for:

• Safety expenses
• Practical assistance expenses
• Travel and associated expenses
• Crime scene clean-up
• Counselling services, traditional Indigenous health services and associated transportation expenses
• Expanded supports for survivors of human trafficking and
• Supports for victims with serious injuries and for families of homicide victims

24-hour emotional support and practical assistance to individuals victimized by crime or tragic circumstance such as homicides, suicides, sudden death, assaults, sexual assaults, domestic violence, motor vehicle and fire fatalities, robberies, and harassment. Staff and specially trained volunteers provide practical assistance, emotional support, and referrals for additional community resources.

An early intervention program that provides group supports for children who have witnessed woman abuse, by offering opportunities to share their feelings regarding the abuse and violence they have witnessed, in a creative and supportive environment.

• Kids Groups programs involve safety planning, abuse prevention, building self-esteem, anger management, conflict resolution, and dating violence support
• Mother's Groups programs involve definind and understanding abuse, discussions about the impact of children witnessing abuse, parenting skills, safety planning, and custody access issues

Supports children who have experienced abuse. Services include assessment, safety planning, counselling, and short-term follow-up supports.

Provides information and assistance to support participation in and understanding of the criminal court process

• services begin once police have laid charges and continue until the court case is over
• Information about victims' rights, the criminal justice process and their specific case (e.g., court dates)
• needs assessment and referrals to community agencies
• crisis intervention, emotional support, victim advocacy
• facilitates victim's input and liaises with Crown Attorneys, police, regarding bail, safety, resolution of charges, release conditions, publication bans, testimonial aids trial preparation and court orientation
• information and support on Victim Impact Statements, Statement on Restitution
• facilitates access to court orders, such as bail conditions, probation orders, peace bonds
• debriefing and follow-up support

Vulnerable Victims and Family Fund -- financial and court-based supports to enable victims of crime and families of homicide victims to attend court

• travel arrangements and expenses
• language interpretation
• real-time captioning or other equipment for victims with disabilities

Provides support to youth 24 years of age and younger who are or have been involved in a human trafficking situation.

Services include:

• one-on-one support from a case worker
• community referrals
• safety planning
• harm reduction strategies

Due to the COVID-19 virus, the SACHA office has been closed and all in-person programs have been cancelled. Staff will be working from home and can be reached by phone or email. Staff support is available 24/7 via the helpline at 905-525-4162.

Offers supportive programming for women from Hamilton's diverse racial and cultural communities, in particular women who are immigrant, newcomers, and refugees. Services include: individual support, women's support groups, information and referral, advocacy and accompaniment, and practical assistance such as childcare, bus tickets, and snacks.

Offers legal advocacy support, information, and court accompaniment to women who have experienced family violence. Provides support with navigating legal systems when leaving an abusive relationship, including family, criminal, immigration, and child welfare issues.

The Halton Youth Justice Program (HYJP) deals with young persons between the ages of 12-17 years who have committed a criminal offence in the community

* designed to deal with youth in conflict with the law
* holds youth accountable for their actions
* offers opportunities for youth to deal with the underlying issues contributing to their criminal behaviour
* the program has a close relationship with other community agencies to assist young people and their families
* the program offers youth an opportunity to accept responsibility for their actions and appreciate their impact on victims and the community by addressing errant behaviours prior to a criminal charge being laid

Crisis Support Workers provide support and assistance to survivors of human trafficking. Services include:

• crisis intervention
• crisis housing
• basic needs
• emotional support
• advocacy & accompaniment
• safety planning and/or risk assessment
• supportive counselling
• practical assistance for transportation & service accessibility
• system navigation and housing supports
• life skills and mentorship

Services include:

• 24-hour crisis line
  
• free individual counselling for ages 16 and up
  
• support services for friends and family members
  
• advocacy, support and accompaniment to Nina's Place, the police station and court

Public Education

• customized public education workshops are available for elementary and high school students, community members and agencies in Halton
  
• for more information or to book a free presentation contact savis@savisofhalton.org, or visit - savisofhalton.org/public-presentations

Anti-Human Trafficking Services

• Case Workers provide support and assistance to survivors
  
• for more information, see listing - OAK0170

Halton Collaborative Against Human Trafficking

• created to raise awareness about human trafficking in Halton and surrounding area
  
• for more information, see listing - OAK0047

Helps survivors of the holocaust with home care and emergency financial aid. Works in collaboration with the German Claims Conference for Material Against Germany.

Offers individual and group counselling for women who have experienced emotional, physical and/or sexual abuse by a partner
* available in-person, by video or phone

Individual counselling:
* individual counselling and therapy services are tailored to meet the specific needs of each woman
* information on abuse, safety planning and community resources is also available
* services are free of charge and offered in Oakville, Burlington, Milton, and Georgetown

Education and support groups:
* eight week group provides an opportunity to decrease isolation and to gain insight into the experience and impact of living with abuse and control
* group is offered frequently, day and evening groups are available

Safety Zone Program

Supports Indigenous women in navigating through complex systems encountered when experiencing violence and involvement in child welfare matters. Focuses on crisis management and stabilization, awareness and education, planning and goal setting, liaising with service providers, and providing conflict resolution support.

Specially trained staff and volunteer crisis responders, who work with HRPS offering crisis intervention, emotional support, practical assistance and community referrals to victims of crime and tragedy throughout Halton Region

Crisis Intervention

• Unit is equipped to respond to crisis situations 24 hours a day, seven days a week, when requested by a police officer
• when called upon, volunteers respond where required and provide immediate assistance to serious incidents involving a broad spectrum of physical/psychological trauma, including:
  • sudden death
  • homicide and suicide
  • assault, including sexual assault
  • domestic violence
  • elder abuse
  • robberies
  • motor vehicle collisions

Victim Quick Response Program

• provides quick limited financial assistance to victims of homicide, attempted murder, serious physical assault, domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, criminal harassment, child abuse and hate crime
• for more information, visit OAK0194

Mobile Tracking System

• a GPS tracking device that acts as a personal alarm for individuals identified as at risk of further violence
• places a priority on victims safety and promotes an improved response to victims

Project Lifesaver

• a program that combines radio technology with a coordinated rapid response to help police locate wandering or missing individuals
• for more information, visit OAK9152

Vulnerable Person Registry

• this service allows a family member and/or caregivers of vulnerable persons to submit critical information to Halton Regional Police Service that may be used during an emergency situation
• for more information, visit OAK0076

A Victim Services Unit office is located in each of the Service's four divisions:

• Halton Hills 10 and 11 Divisions
• Burlington 30 Division
• Milton 12 Division
• Oakville 20 Division

Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+) -- assistance with emergency expenses related to the incident, including home safety, accommodation, meals, transportation, basic necessities, dependent care costs, counselling, traditional indigenous health services, cellular phones, vision care, dental care, aids for victims with disabilities, interpretation services, crime scene cleanup, government/medical documents and funeral expenses

• additional assistance for victims of human trafficking includes storage locker, tattoo removal, and treatment at a recovery facility
• no direct reimbursement to victims for above supports
• financial support also available for victims who sustained serious physical injuries during a crime and for parents of child homicide victims and spouses of homicide victims

A Ministry of the Attorney General funded program delivered by the Victim Services Unit

Offers individual and group counselling for women who have experienced emotional, physical and/or sexual abuse by a partner
* available in-person, by video or phone

Individual counselling:
* individual counselling and therapy services are tailored to meet the specific needs of each woman
* information on abuse, safety planning and community resources is also available
* services are free of charge and offered in Oakville, Burlington, Milton, and Georgetown

Education and support groups:
* eight week group provides an opportunity to decrease isolation and to gain insight into the experience and impact of living with abuse and control
* group is offered frequently, day and evening groups are available

Safety Zone Program

Provides Information and assistance to support participation in and understanding of the criminal court process

• services begin once police have laid charges and continue until the court case is over
• information about victims' rights, the criminal justice process and their specific case (e.g., court dates)
• needs assessment and referrals to community agencies
• crisis intervention, emotional support, victim advocacy
• facilitates victim's input and liaises with Crown Attorneys, police, regarding bail, safety, resolution of charges, release conditions, publication bans, testimonial aids, trial preparation and court orientation
  
• information and support on Victim Impact Statements, Statement on Restitution
• facilitates access to court orders, such as bail conditions, probation orders, peace bonds
• debriefing and follow-up support

Vulnerable Victims and Family Fund -- financial and court-based supports to enable victims of crime and families of homicide victims to attend court

• travel arrangements and expenses
• language interpretation
• real-time captioning or other equipment for victims with disabilities