LITTLE CURRENT—The annual Northern Victim Services Conference is being hosted at the new Manitoulin Hotel and Conference Centre in Little Current this year and the focus is on raising awareness and taking action.
“This year we are hosting the Northern Victim Services Conference,” said Manitoulin North Shore Victim Services Executive Director Ashley Jewell. “This is a three-day event entitled ‘Taking Action – Victim Services Conference 2014.’
Ms. Jewell explained that the conference is hosted by a different site each year and volunteers and staff from across Northern Ontario are invited to attend. “This is an opportunity for training specific to how to better serve victims of crime and tragic circumstances,” she said. “We receive funding from the Government of Canada for National Victims of Crime Awareness Week to make this event possible. It is also a great networking opportunity and gives us the opportunity to share best practices and ideas from across the province.”
National Victims of Crime Awareness Week (Victims Week) is held in April every year. The goal of Victims Week is to raise awareness about issues facing victims of crime and the services, programs and laws in place to help victims and their families.
Victims Week 2014 takes place from April 6 to 12, explained Ms. Jewell. “The theme Taking Action recognizes that throughout Canada, countless dedicated professionals and volunteers are taking action to better serve victims of crime every day. Criminal justice service providers give information and meaningful support to victims and their families at the community, provincial, territorial and federal levels.”
“Over the past three decades,” reads a statement from the federal government, “Canada has made significant advances towards giving victims a more effective voice in the criminal justice system. By working together collaboratively, all levels of government are taking action on issues important to victims of crime. The Government of Canada will continue to build on this momentum to make meaningful change for victims of crime in Canada.”
The first level of support for many victims of crime is family and friends, notes the statement. All Canadians can be taking action by helping victims of crime access the services available to them. Victims Week 2014 provides a backdrop for a national discussion about the laws, services and programs available for victims of crime at the community, provincial, territorial and federal level.
“We have also put out a call for nominations to appreciate community members who are making a difference in people’s lives,” said Ms. Jewell. “We will be celebrating the accomplishments of these individuals on April 12. This day is also open to the public and we strongly encourage anyone to attend. We will be showcasing a variety of speakers who not only fit with our theme of ‘Taking Action’ but are truly inspirational. Julie Lalonde and Heather Imming are two of these speakers. Julie is an Ottawa-based social justice advocate and public educator who works with various women’s organizations on the issues of sexual violence, bystander intervention and reproductive justice. Heather is an outspoken advocate and educator on issues of violence against women, she was a subcontracts manager working in the aerospace industry before a series of brutal attacks by her estranged husband changed her life forever.”
“We are pretty excited about the new complex,” said Victim Services program coordinator Kristin Bickell. “It is such a beautiful building, it will be a great way to showcase Manitoulin.”
The Victim Services conference was held in Espanola last year and attracted over 80 participants, noted Ms. Bickell. “This year we are hoping for over 100.”
Two days of the conference (Friday and Sunday) are dedicated to providing workshops and training for the Victim Services volunteers across the Northern region, but the Saturday seminars featuring the two keynote speakers are open for the general public to attend.
For more information or for those interested in attending the conference, please contact Victim Services at 705-859-3378 or by email at victimser
vices@eastlink.ca. Deadline to register for the
conference is April 4. There is a $50 per person fee to attend the day.
