Victim Services Society of Stony Plain, Spruce Grove and District
Our Mission
" The Victim Services Society of Stony Plain, Spruce Grove and District, in cooperation with the RCMP, voluntarily provides supportive assistance and crisis intervention to people affected by crime, tragedy, and natural disasters, as well as preventive education to the public."
Who We Are
The Victim Services Society of Stony Plain, Spruce Grove and District is a police-based victim services program which operates out of the Stony Plain RCMP Detachment. Our role is to provide individuals affected by a crisis with information, support and referrals from the time of the incident and throughout the criminal justice proceedings.
The Victim Services Unit is governed by the Victim Services Society of Stony Plain, Spruce Grove and District, managed by a Coordinator and staffed with volunteer Victim Service Advocates and Board Members. The governing Board of Directors is made up of representatives from Parkland County, Stony Plain, Spruce Grove and the Stony Plain RCMP Detachment. Our Victim Services Unit is a not-for-profit organization with charity status.
Our specially-trained Victim Advocates are led by the Program Manager and offer coping strategies for victims of violence and other crimes, as well as front-line support to clients in crisis through personal tragedy. Every staff member and community volunteer is certified by the Solicitor General of Alberta and are carefully vetted to qualify for enhanced RCMP security clearance. We also provide our Volunteer Advocates, Board Members and paid staff with ongoing training throughout their affiliation with VSU.
What We Do
Victim Services Society of Stony Plain, Spruce Grove and District can provide crisis intervention services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our offices, however are NOT staffed around the clock.
For emergency Police, Ambulance or Fire Services please CALL 911
Our Advocates are dispatched by the RCMP with the goal of alleviating trauma and reducing the emotional impact of a crisis situation.
In addition our Victim Services Unit can offer referrals to the applicable partnering agencies and are trained as liaisons between the court system and victims of tragedy and criminal behaviour.
What We Offer
- Follow-up with the initial police response and offer guidance to victims as their matter is dealt with in court.
- Provide critical incident emotional support including compassionate care in the event of a tragic, sudden loss of life.
- Refer clients to the most appropriate helping agency(s) for their specific situation
- Advise victims about court processes including assistance with Victim Impact Statements, Restitution applications, and Victims of Crime Fund applications.
- Accompany a victim or witness to court after explaining the judicial process, and then providing ongoing support as needed throughout the process..
- Provide Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) debriefings.
- Liaise with Crown Prosecutors and Court personnel, to help victims stay informed and to keep all such communications secure.
Our History and Service Area
The Victim Services Society of Stony Plain, Spruce Grove and District was registered on November 28, 1986 as a non-profit Society. Our organization enjoys the distinction of being the first Victim Services Society in Alberta to begin working with the RCMP. We serve the City of Spruce Grove, the Town of Stony Plain, the County of Parkland, portions of the County of Lac Ste. Anne, the Village of Onoway, the Village of Alberta Beach, the Village of Wabamun, the Hamlet of Duffield, the Village of Spring Lakes, the Summer Village of West Cove, the Summer Village of Val Quentin, the Hamlet of Gunn, the Village of Sunset Point, the Paul First Nation and the Enoch Cree Nation.
Our Team:
The Victim Services Society is a well-managed organization of staff and volunteers. Our volunteers are distinctly categorized into three levels:
- Board of Directors
- Advocates
- Associates
Day-to-day operations are performed by a paid coordinator and other support office staff.
"Made me feel that I mattered"
I really appreciated all the help I got from the Victim Service ladies. They really made me feel I mattered and gave me lots of information about people who I should contact to help with my issue.
~ Anonymous (Spruce Grove, Alberta)
"Thanks for being there with me!"
The Stony VSU advocate was a big help explaining the process and making me less stressed out when I had to go to court as a victim of a crime. I don't think I could of done it without them. Thanks for being there with me!
~ Anonymous (Parkland County, Alberta)
"May God bless you all."
Thank you for sending a volunteer to be with me when my husband was injured. My family and kids all live away now and I would have had no one to be with me through the shock of it. May God bless you all.
~ Anonymous (Enoch, Alberta)