Community Based Victim Services

Provides justice related services to victims of all ages, genders and sexual orientation.

• Adult and youth victims of violence in relationships
• Sexual assault
• Criminal harassment
• Adult survivors of childhood physical and sexual abuse
• Child and youth victims of childhood physical and sexual abuse
• Child and youth witnesses of violence in relationships

Relationship Violence is any form of violent or abusive behavior that happens in intimate relationships (marriage, common law, dating, ex-partners, family and friends). Being in a relationship does not give anyone the right to be violent. Incidents of violence or abuse can happen once or many times during the relationship and after it ends.  Signs of violence or abuse include:

• Physical violence (hitting, shoving, restraining, slapping, etc…)
• Emotional/psychological abuse (yelling, name calling, insults, stalking, threatening and controlling behaviours)
• Financial abuse (stealing money, controlling shared finances, exploitation)
• Sexual abuse

Sexual Assault is any form of sexual contact without a person’s consent, including the threats of sexual contact without consent.  Sexual assault can range from unwanted sexual touching to forced intercourse. Sexual assault is a crime, regardless of the part or present relationship between the people involved (e.g. married, dating, living together, friends, strangers). No one has the right to force or threaten another person to have sexual contact.

Stalking and Criminal Harassment can take over your life.  If you are being threatened, followed, watched, called repeatedly, sent things that are unwanted or if your property or pets have been harmed, you may be a victim of criminal harassment.

Justice Related Services Include:

• Providing information to victims about their rights under the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) and information of the criminal justice system
• Provide information and assistance with completing victim impact statements
• Obtain, provide and arrange for victims to receive case specific information
• Arrange, facilitate and/or accompany victims to meetings with criminal justice system personnel
• Court Orientation
• Accompany victims to court and provide related emotional support as needed

Other Services Provided Include:

• Crisis response
• Safety Planning
• Short term emotional support
• Education on relationship violence and abusive cycles
• Education on the effects of relationship violence on children
• Information and referrals to other agencies and practitioners

Resources available for Safety Planning

Battered Women’s Support Services – Personalized Safety Plan

The Williams Lake Community Based Victim Services works in collaboration with: