VICTIM SERVICES
Operating in Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, and Richmond, each of our Victim Services programs is set up a little differently and not all have open referrals. For immediate help, please call VictimLink via 1-800-563-0808.
Victim Services at Family Services of Greater Vancouver can help with:
- emotional support
- creating safety plans
- assistance navigating the criminal justice system, including making police reports and participating in court (only if this is something you want)
- developing a network of support
- connecting with additional community supports, such as counselling, medical services, housing support programs, and more
Services include support for elder abuse, intimate partner violence, human trafficking and exploitation, and family violence situations.
ABOUT OUR SUPPORT WORKERS
The Support Workers at FSGV are not therapists or counsellors.
The Victim Support Workers at Family Services of Greater Vancouver are a compassionate and trauma-informed team of people who are focused on being there for you, every step of the way. This support is FREE. We are not here to pressure you to make a police report, go to court, or push you to take steps you don’t want to take. We’re here to support you in reclaiming your autonomy, taking control of your life, and navigating supports and resources you need.
While some of our teams’ offices are located in police stations, we are not police.
Our Victim Support Workers can meet you out in community – whether that’s in your home or a public space you feel safe in, like a coffee shop, we’re here for you – to advocate for you if you choose to report to the police and to help you build the support you need. We cannot guarantee our ability to work directly with you because of the way referrals are processed in our programs. We encourage you to call VictimLink (1 800 563 0808) to help you figure out which program is the best fit for you and your circumstance. This is a valuable and trusted resource we recommend to anyone we’re in touch with if we cannot work directly with them.
“I am able to show youth that they are able to have relationships where their autonomy is respected and they have venues to exercise their power. It’s important to build relationships that are guided by choice.”
Support Worker
“The first thing I try to do is make connections with people and not only talk about the issue per se but also about other topics we might relate on. Their life is not summed up in the problem, but also in other things.”
Support Worker
“It’s satisfying to give women the accurate information they need, the support, and resources in order to make their own decisions.”
Support Worker
“I see women become more empowered because they’re given the choices or options that they need to move forward.”
Support Worker
TRAININGS AND WORKSHOPS
We provide trainings, workshops, and consultation for community groups, police teams and departments, healthcare workers, social workers, educators, classes, and more, that are run by Brenda Lochhead, Anti-Human Trafficking Educator and Community Consultant. You can learn more about Brenda Lochhead and what you can expect to gain from the trainings she runs here.
YOU CAN SUPPORT SURVIVORS TOO
Are you as passionate about supporting survivors as we are?
or get in touch with us to discuss long-term, large, or corporate giving opportunities at [email protected]