Victim services agency aims to provide support

Being a victim of crime can be overwhelming, confusing, frustrating, and it can be difficult to know where to turn. In stressful times, having an agency in Meadow Lake such as Gateway Regional Victim Services (GRVS) is good to know.

The organization, based at the local RCMP detachment, is part of a regional network, which stretches from Big River to Wakaw. In Meadow Lake, there is an assistant coordinator and a handful of volunteers who offer support, information, and advocacy for victims of crime and traumatic events. This can include anything from property theft and vehicle collisions to assault or even sudden death.  They support individuals in Loon Lake, Green Lake, Pierceland and smaller communities in between. The group of volunteers are mostly based in Meadow Lake and work on an on-call rotation.

Jillian Doucet has been the assistant coordinator in the city since April but was a volunteer for over seven years prior. She and her colleagues in Meadow Lake are an approachable, compassionate, non-judgemental group, she said, who will listen to the people they help and stand in their corner.

“We bridge the gap between the individual and the resources they need to get through the criminal justice process as well as the healing process,” Doucet said. “We can refer them to counsellors, or any sort of organizations that are appropriate depending on the situation. This is a safe place.”

Doucet said while referrals come from the RCMP, people are also able to self-refer by contacting the agency directly, especially if the situation involves discreet information. 

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Since taking on her new role, Doucet and her group of volunteers have hosted and attended community events and partnered with like-minded groups to help get the word out about what they do. Doucet said she wants to continue to grow the network of volunteers, ideally in each of the four communities served.

“It’s really rewarding work,” she said. “You get to help people at their most vulnerable. When there’s a whole lot of uncertainty in a person’s life and you’re able to be that calm voice and help them through the healing process, it truly makes a difference.”

kathy.gallant@jpbg.ca

On Twitter @ReporterKath