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Victim and Witness Support

Victim Witness Section Contents

1. Crisis Intervention Service
2. Emotional Support and Counselling Services
3. Information & Referral Service
4. Criminal Justice System and Police Procedures
5. Victim of Crime Assistance

1. Who We Are?
2. What Do Volunteers Do?
3. Client Contact
4. Support for Volunteers
5. Characteristics of Volunteers
6. The Training Program & Expectations
7. Benefits to Being a FPF Victim Witness Volunteer
8. How to Apply?

Victims and witnesses, along with their families and the communities in which they live, are negatively affected by crime and other tragic events. Victims can experience physical injury, financial loss, and emotional trauma. Exposure to critical incidents undermines our sense of well-being and security, leaving victims and witnesses vulnerable, frightened, and often angry. To add to their frustration, the process and procedures of the Criminal Justice System may seem bewildering.

The Victim Witness Section is a special unit established to address the needs of victims and witnesses of crime and to ensure their right to information and to fair and sensitive treatment.

The program functions to ensure that victims can receive the support, information, and practical assistance they need to report crimes, to recover from the effects of being victimized, to prevent re-victimization, and to participate fully in the justicial process.

The Victim Witness Section is staffed by two full time counselling professionals and has a Volunteer Program consisting of 15 to 20 volunteers.The Victim Witness Section is also a recognized training site for Counselling and Social Work Interns. Working together with the Police, the professional staff, trained volunteers, and Interns provide the services listed below.

HELP IS A PHONE CALL AWAY 460-2422

If you are a victim or witness of a crime, the Victim Witness Section can help in the following areas:

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Victim Witness staff and trained Volunteers respond to a crime scene or other traumatic incident to offer immediate support. The FPF Police Chaplain is also available for people experiencing trauma and loss. These services are dispatched through the Fredericton Police Force Telecommunications Center.

Emotional Support and Counselling Services

As trained professionals, Victim Witness staff can provide short-term counselling. Victim Witness Volunteers are trained paraprofessionals who understand the trauma of victimization and are available to discuss your concerns and provide you with timely support.

Information & Referral Service

Staff and volunteers are knowledgeable regarding the range of support programs and professional resources available within the community that may be required by the victim.

Criminal Justice System and Police Procedures

Most of us are not familiar with how the Police and the Criminal Justice System function. We will explain the process and outline the steps involved in the investigation and prosecution of the accused. You are entitled to know the outcome of the Police investigation and Victim Witness staff can keep you up to date on the status of your case. If you require court preparation and accompaniment, we will arrange that as well.

Victim of Crime Assistance

If you have suffered injury or loss as a result of crime, you may be eligible for compensation.  We can direct you to the appropriate agency.

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Thank you for your interest in the Fredericton Police Force Victim Witness Volunteer Program. We hope this information will assist in answering any questions you may have regarding the program, volunteer duties and qualifications, application process, training agenda and other pertinent information.

Who We Are?

The Fredericton Police Force Victim Witness Section is a police-based victim and witness assistance program

• Most of our referrals are received directly from police officers; however, family physicians, community agency staff, family members, friends, and self-referral are also ways in which we connect with clients.
• Our primary services include emotional support, referrals to community agencies and programs, liaison with the police and other criminal justice system personnel, and court preparation and accompaniment.
• The Victim Witness Section is staffed by two professional counsellors who provide direct support to victims and witnesses of crime, as well as to our volunteers. Our program is reliant upon volunteers to provide client support and services 24/7.

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At present we have approximately 20 active volunteers. On average volunteers remain with the agency for 2-3 years, however, some have volunteered as long as 8-12 yrs.

Volunteers are involved in the following tasks:

• Provide on-scene crisis intervention.
• Provide emotional support through direct client contact.
• Document support and service provided.
• Respond to incoming inquiries.
• Referrals to appropriate community resources.
• On occasion, volunteers are also requested to assist with office related tasks.
• Assist with training and mentoring new volunteers.
• Participate in social events & activities, and community awareness (mall displays, public speaking engagements, presentations to community agencies).
• Continued skills development through ongoing training.

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Most volunteer activity results from direct, in-person contact with clients (crisis intervention, court preparation and attendance). Volunteers may be asked to follow-up after police interventions and must be comfortable using the telephone as a means of communication.

Support For Volunteers

The Fredericton Police Force Victim Witness Program believes that volunteers are the foundation of our program and we feel it is not only important, but also necessary, to provide support to volunteers. The Victim Witness staff is responsible for providing ongoing support and feedback to volunteers. Below is a list of some of the ways this may occur:

• Volunteers are invited to attend Critical Incident Stress Defusings and Debriefings where appropriate.
• In-person meetings, e-mail, telephone contact, and monthly volunteer meetings.
• Victim Witness Staff is accessible to volunteers 24/7.
• File supervision - provide feedback and support on action plans, assessment of service provision, determine duration of client contact, and feedback on contact with clients.
• Annual performance reviews.
• Annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.
• Senior volunteers mentor new volunteers during Phase 2 (Field Training). This provides an opportunity for support and for the many questions, concerns or issues you may have regarding your work.

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• Able to follow through and honour commitments.
• Have a genuine interest in the needs of victims of crime/trauma and provide assistance.
• Possess a high level of personal maturity.
• Demonstrate professionalism in all interactions including dress code.
• Able to work effectively as a liaison with police and with a diverse client population.
• Possess good interpersonal and communication skills.
• A motivated team player who is also able to work independently as well as part of the team.
• Able to work confidently and effectively in crisis situations.
• Possess a valid NB driver's license and access to a vehicle.
• Ability to accept direction and supervision.
• Ability to respect and maintain confidentiality.
• Flexible - in both availability and opinions.
• Honesty and integrity.
• Able to take initiative and be resourceful while on shift during slow periods.
• Must be 21 years of age or over.

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Those accepted into the Victim Witness Volunteer Training Program will be expected to attend all training sessions.

Level 1 is in-class training. It is approximately 40 hours in duration and is scheduled on Wednesday evenings (1830-2130 hrs) commencing in January.

Level 1 Training topics include:

• FPF Victim Witness Policies/Procedures, Mandate and Ethics
• Office Procedures
• Call-Out Procedures
• Characteristics of Effective Volunteers
• Crisis Intervention
• Communication Skills: Basic and Advanced
• Dealing With Difficult People
• Dealing With People Who Have Mental Health Issues
• Victim Trauma Response
• Self-Care (care for the caregiver)
• Violence Against Women in Relationships
• Family Violence
• Sexual Assault
• Sudden Death
• Completed Suicides and Suicidal Ideation
• Criminal Justice System Overview (from arrest to trial)
• Court Preparation and Attendance
• Peace Bonds and Restraining Orders
• Victims of Crime Assistance and Victim Impact Statements
• Referring Clients to Community Agencies
• Role Play Scenario/Simulation (involves practice with experienced volunteers "acting" as victims of crime and trauma)

Level 2 is Field Training. New volunteers will be teamed with an "experienced" volunteer for a period of 3 months where they will receive orientation and mentoring.

Level 3 is considered the completion of the required training and the beginning of the 200 hours minimum commitment.

Volunteers are expected to commit to:

• A maximum of 1 weekend on-call per month.
• A minimum of one 3-hour shift per week in office.
• On-going continuing education sessions.
• Attend monthly volunteer meetings.
• Make a minimum program commitment of 200 hours (approximately 18 months)

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Volunteering with the FPF Victim Witness Section provides volunteers with the opportunity to learn about the impact of crime and trauma, while at the same time learning about the criminal justice system and policing in general. We provide on-going training to volunteers, invite volunteers to participate in social events and host an Annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.

Volunteering with the FPF Victim Witness Section can give you the opportunity to:

• Increase your existing skills.
• Learn new skills.
• Meet interesting and dynamic people.
• Give back to the community.
• Assistance with career development.
• Have fun!

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Application packages must include the following:

• Application form.
• Current resume or curriculum vitae.

Successful candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Contact Information:
Victim Witness Coordinator
Victim Witness Section
Fredericton Police Force
311 Queen Street
Fredericton, New Brunswick
E3B 1B1

Telephone: 506-460-2422
Fax: 506-460-2316

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