City of Red Deer
Victim Services
Our Victim Services Unit is police-based and works with the Red Deer City Detachment of the RCMP to provide support, information and referrals to residents of the City of Red Deer who are victims of a crisis, trauma or tragedy.
Become a volunteer today!
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RDCVSU Volunteer Advocates provide emotional support, information and referrals on scene and/or over the phone to victims of crime and to individuals or groups impacted by a traumatic event, (ex. sudden death).
Advocates are asked to complete at least 4 shifts every month, (roughly 12 hours per month). This office time can be completed in one block, but is usually broken down into smaller time slots. Of course we work around vacations, busy periods of employment and family commitments that may arise.
While in the office, advocates are making first contact or follow-up calls with victims to offer services, meet with victims to provide information or support by explaining or assisting victims with completing forms, conducting court preparation sessions and sometimes assisting staff with administrative functions. Regularly, advocates are scheduled to assist in court accompaniments.
Advocates are asked to sign-up and carry the on-call call-out phones for two week periods.These two advocates act as a dispatch for RDCVSU. These advocates may be contacted by the RCMP when Victim Services Assistance has been requested. They will in turn contact the volunteers that have signed up to be available to attend Crisis Calls and will follow-up with the detachment and advise if volunteers are available to attend.
Advocate meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month, except for July and August). Advocates are required to attend these meetings.
Throughout the year, there will be several training opportunities locally, provincially and abroad. Advocates are required to keep their training up to date and to take advantage of various different types of training throughout the year that is provided and paid for by our program.
In the past, we have had people commit to becoming Advocates because they think it will be a fast-paced role working side-by-side with the police to assist victim(s) right after a crime. The reality is that although 90% of our referrals come from the RCMP, most do not require
immediate, in person response. Very few call outs require Advocates ‘on scene’. Volunteer Advocates provide most of their assistance to victims over the phone.
Advocate Volunteer Application
Red Deer City Victim Services Unit is always looking for new volunteers.
- Must be 18 years or older
- Must be a Canadian Citizen or Landed Immigrant
- Must obtain a Police Enhanced Security Clearance
- Has successfully completed Alberta Solicitor General On-line Training
Application forms , once completed can be submitted in a sealed envelope either by mail or by dropping it off at:
Red Deer City RCMP Detachment,
4602 51st Avenue,
Red Deer, Alberta,
T4N 2N2
If there are any questions regarding the application process, completion of the forms, or the requirements of the position contact Red Deer City Victim Services at 403.406.2345.