By Sheldon Spackman

Victims and Survivors of Crime Community Information Fair in Blackfalds Sunday

May 24, 2018 | 1:10 PM

Transforming the culture of Canada’s criminal justice system is the theme behind an information fair taking place in Blackfalds this weekend.

As part of Victims and Survivors of Crime Week May 27 – June 2, a Victims and Survivors of Crime Community Information Fair and BBQ will be held at the Blackfalds Multi-Plex on Sunday, May 27 from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.

The event is being hosted by the Central Alberta Victim and Witness Support Society, along with partner organizations the Blackfalds RCMP Detachment, Town of Blackfalds, Blackfalds FCSS and Razzle Dazzle and Kids Konnection Family Day homes.

Central Alberta Victim and Witness Support Society spokesperson Louise Rellis says the hope is to raise community awareness about what services and local supports are available to victims and survivors of crime.

“We never wake up with the intention of becoming a victim or a survivor,” says Rellis. “Going through traumatic experiences, people don’t know what to expect, they don’t know what to do, so we’re bringing the organizations together who have resources, have supports for people who find themselves victims of theft, fire, death or even just going through the grief process and lost in anyway.”

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She points out a large number of local organizations usually at the forefront of supporting victims of crime will be represented. They include the Central Alberta Women’s Outreach Society, Red Deer / Lacombe Rural Community Crime Watch, Block Parent of Blackfalds, Optimist Club of Blackfalds, Central Alberta Immigrant Women’s Association, Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre and Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre.

“It’s just encompassing them all under one roof and making people aware these are here,” adds Rellis. “Maybe they might not have known about it in the past and maybe eliminating barriers for people to access these resources.”

She says the need for such services grows every year and has dramatically increased over the past couple of years.

“We had over 500 files last year in Blackfalds and our area covers the same area the Blackfalds RCMP detachment covers,” Rellis explains. “So we go to Lacombe County, Red Deer County, Springbrook, Gull Lake, Alix. Some of those files are single people, some of those files are families of three, four and five, so to have a number on the amount of people, we’re looking into a couple of thousand.”

“When somebody becomes a victim, it’s hard for them to process what they’ve actually been through and what they need to do next,” explains Rellis. “So for Victim Services for ourselves, we’re first responders where the RCMP officers call us out with them so we can help victims from there, we can direct them to these other organizations, follow up with them and help them through the core processes.”

Over the past three decades, officials say Canada has made significant advances towards creating a criminal justice system where victims and survivors are treated with courtesy, compassion and respect while navigating the justice system.

It’s hoped the information fair will also recruit volunteers and give a more effective voice to victims and survivors of crime and their families, along with raising awareness about the importance of their roles in the criminal justice system. In addition, those who support victims and survivors of crime and their families will be recognized and celebrated as well.

Proceeds raised from the barbeque will go towards the Central Alberta Victim and Witness Support Society.