Our Vision and Mission

The vision of Thunder Bay and Area Victim Services is: Committed to Compassionate Reliable Victim Centered Services

Mission: In pursuit of this vision, Thunder Bay and Area Victim Services provides immediate victim centered support in partnership with emergency services

To assist us in achieving this mission we offer: 

VICTIM CRISIS ASSISTANCE AND REFERRAL SERVICE

(VCARS)

Victim Crisis Assistance and Referral Service (VCARS) is a community-based service assisting police and emergency services in providing short term emotional support and practical assistance to victims of crime and tragedy. Community volunteers support victims to meet their immediate needs and supply referral to existing community service if longer term care is required.

Crisis assistance is given by trained volunteers who are on call to police 24 hours a day 7 days a week. With victim consent, the attending officer(s) contacts VCARS to provide emotional support or practical assistance as needed.  VCARS volunteers will assist victims of crime or tragedy including but not limited to: assault, domestic violence, sexual assault, property crime, robbery, theft, family members affected by sudden death from accident, suicide, or homicide, attempted suicide, and multi-casualty occurrences.

In addition to emotional support, volunteers may provide practical assistance of making phone calls, assisting with arranging for essential needs such as food, lodging etc. If the victim identifies as having longer term needs, the volunteers provide information and referral options to community services for ongoing victim assistance.

What are VCARS objectives?

To lessen the trauma of being victimized and reduce possibility of being re-victimized

To provide immediate short-term practical and emotional support to help victim cope with the impact of crime and/or tragic circumstance.

To provide information and referral to organizations appropriate to victim needs.

To provide an opportunity for our community to increase involvement in victim support and mobilizing crime prevention.

To educate and promote victim assistance within the community.

To support police and emergency services.

VCARS is in partnership with police and emergency services: Thunder Bay Police, Ontario Provincial Police, Anishinabek Police and Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue Service

webpage last updated 04/18/2008