Flagstaff Victim Services expanding services, in need of volunteers

Flagstaff Victim Services (FVS) is under new operation and is expanding in order to provide the county with as much help as possible.

The service used to be run by FFCS, but in the summer of 2014 a new board was formed and a new coordinator, Josie Storbakken, was appointed.

FVS is now operated out of the RCMP detachment in Killam, and is on call day and night.

“We can be there right when a tragedy happens,” Storbakken said, referring to the current staff of seven advocates, all of whom are volunteers.

The advocates work in pairs, and rotate who is on call each week.

FVS is available for a wide variety of issues, including but not limited to sudden death, vehicle collisions, domestic and family violence, bullying, and sexual assault.

Their services are not only confidential, but are also free of charge.

“Any crime or tragedy, we’re here to help the victim,” said Storbakken.

They are also available to assist with court issues.
Advocates will help to explain court processes, how to testify, help with certain paperwork, and even go along to the court date in question for support.

They are also able to act as a liaison between victims and RCMP members.

“We’re someone to vent to, and we’re here for ‘Where do I go for this?’ types of questions.”

Currently, FVS is focused more on counselling, but in April, advocates will be trained in which paperwork they are allowed to assist with, as well as how to properly do so in order to expand their services.

Even when they are consulted with an issue that they are not yet equipped to handle, the FVS advocates will do their best to get clients the assistance that they require.

“We refer out to others in the community who are better able to help,” said Storbakken.

Previously, when the service had fewer advocates, they had to focus only on ‘larger’ calls, as opposed to every problem brought to them.

Storbakken is now working to get the name out there, so that FVS can be an option for anyone who might require help.

“We’ve seen an increase in calls, but we want people to know we’re here before they need us.”

FVS runs off of funding provided by the Victims of Crime Fund, but still relies heavily on local support, and will be holding fundraisers in the future in order to keep services running as smoothly as possible.

The Department of Justice has also provided some funding in order to improve community awareness.

In April, for Victims of Crime Week, FVS will be hosting a free barbeque and pancake breakfast, which are also funded by the Department of Justice.

In addition to providing services for the County at large, FVS is also working with other community members to develop a Critical Incident Stress Management Team.

This team will work with other teams in Alberta to ensure that the professionals who are helping others are taking the time to properly process what they’ve witnessed and are able to properly reduce their own stress afterwards.

New advocates are always needed and welcome, and no prior training is necessary.

Once an in-depth security clearance has been done on an interested individual, training is provided. There is a rigorous online course, which volunteers are given three full months to complete.

Monthly in-service meetings are also a part of the position, in order to ensure that training is up to date, and everyone is as prepared as they can possibly be.

Any other necessary training is completed
throughout the year as required.

“The volunteers we have are absolutely amazing,” said Storbakken of the team of advocates. “We are lucky to have them; there is no doubt in my mind that they genuinely care about helping those in our community.”

Flagstaff Victim Services is available 24/7 for questions and support, and contributions are always welcome.

The staff will also provide follow-up support in order to ensure that clients are still dealing with their issues properly, and are at a healthy point in their lives.

Advocates are trained to deal with all age groups, and are more than willing to help.

“Times of crime and tragedy are stressful enough without not knowing where you can go for help,” Storbakken said.

Megan Lockhart
Staff Reporter