Victims Services at the MJPS relies on volunteers
Donna Blondeau, coordinator of Victims Services within the Moose Jaw Police Service, spoke candidly about the department’s impact on the community — and the importance of their volunteer base. Victim Services was borne out of a police officer’s concern for victims of a crime or tragedy, as officers often cannot remain on a scene to help victims in their trauma. Rather, a separate department was set up for victims, to offer support and information about what comes next. Victims Services was formed in 1994, and takes referrals from both MJPS and RCMP regarding cases that may need support. There is no time limit on when clients can access services. Victims Services can help in a number of ways, from providing comfort while dealing with the emotional reaction following an incident, to referring clients to services that may help during their aftermath.
Victims Services can help clients navigate the application for victim compensation, which can cover things like medical care, lost or broken property, ambulance costs, and even funerals.
Victims Services is also there to help understand the next steps in a case, such as the terms of charges, whether court is pending, and how court releases work — as the Criminal Justice System can be confusing for those unfamiliar with its procedures.
“We get to explain those things in terms that people understand,” said Blondeau. “A lot of the people we talk to have never been a victim before, or they’ve never been involved in the court system before, so it’s very intimidating, frustrating, and confusing.”
Part of the support offered by Victims Services comes in the form of Kane, who is a trained assistance dog working alongside Blondeau to help clients with their trauma.
Kane was the first assistance dog from the Pacific Assistance Dog Society training program to begin working in Saskatchewan, and he is extremely good at his job. “I think it’s been a lot better for a lot of people [to have Kane around],” said Blondeau. “He’s had things whispered to him, he’s been cried on, he’s been hugged, everything. I’ve seen people change dramatically when he’s around.”
Kane is trained to seek out those near him who are exuding cortisol, due to anxiety or stress, and offer his comforting presence. He has assisted clients during interviews with the MJPS, and even attended court with witnesses to help ease the experience.
There are only 19 dogs doing what Kane does in Canada, and Blondeau is proud to say that she brought the service to Moose Jaw first, with Regina and Weyburn later receiving assistance dogs of their own. “I can’t say enough about [Kane], he’s been a pleasure for me to have and handle, and I’m proud of the fact that I can do that for people in Moose Jaw,” said Blondeau. “Kane’s been very well received here; I think everybody appreciates and knows what he does.”
Alongside Kane, Blondeau herself is more than happy to provide her support. Her team of volunteers at Victim Services is selected very carefully, and each volunteer is available to answer any questions directed their way.
Many of her volunteers, Blondeau shared, actually got involved with the program because they have been a victim of tragedy or know someone who has, and wanted to help.
“I don’t think we could have a program where the backbone wasn’t volunteers, because people from our community understand and we have people from all walks of life,” said Blondeau.
All services offered from Victims Services are free and confidential. Volunteers are welcomed from the community, provided they are over 18 years of age and pass the interview process.
For those looking to become a volunteer, you can contact the MJPS at 1 (306) 6947624. For more updates on Kane the assistance dog, follow his Facebook page. Details for this article were collected as part of the Moose Jaw Express’s attendance at the Community Police Academy.