Released on April 24, 2015
The Ministry of Justice is proud to announce the grand opening of Sask Central Victim Services.“Thousands of residents now have access to these crucial supports and services should they need them,” Justice Minister and Attorney General Gordon Wyant said. “With this major piece of our expansion plan complete, I’m pleased to say we are very close to seeing victim services available right across the province.”
Sask Central Victim Services will operate in police jurisdictions across central Saskatchewan. Services are already available in Martensville and Warman and will soon expand to the other jurisdictions.
“Our board of directors is excited that police-based victim services will soon be offered in the communities served by our program,” Sask Central Victim Services Board Chair Collette Lessmeister said. “We have hired a coordinator, are in the process of gaining a full staff complement, and expect to soon be fully operational in all of our jurisdictions.”
"The opening of the Sask Central Victim Services in Martensville is an important step in realizing the growth of victim services programs in our communities," "F" Division RCMP Central District Commander Supt. Darcey Davidson said. “The RCMP's meaningful collaboration with Victim Services ensures support is available to victims and families affected by crime and traumatic events. We are grateful for the strong partnership we have with the provincial government in growing the victim services program."
Sask Central Victim Services will receive $309,000 in annual funding from the Ministry of Justice. This is part of a $1.2 million dollar commitment to the provincial expansion of police-based victim services announced in the 2012-13 budget. The ministry is on track to offer victim services to the remaining 19 police jurisdictions across the province in 2015-16.
The final component of the expansion will be the addition of two police jurisdictions in the Northwest and Prince Albert regions where services are currently being restructured.
Police-based victim services work closely with police and provide information, support, and referrals to victims of crime and traumatic events. Services are largely delivered by nearly 160 volunteers around the province.
For information about services available for victims, or volunteer opportunities, contact your local victim services program. You can also call the Victims Services Branch at 306-787-3500 or visit the website at www.justice.gov.sk.ca/victimsservices.
April 19-25 is Victims of Crime Awareness Week in Saskatchewan.
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For more information, contact:
Jordan Jackle
Justice
Regina
Phone: 306-787-8621
Email: jordan.jackle@gov.sk.ca