Bow Valley Victim Services provides assistance to community members and visitors in the Canadian Rocky Mountain communities of Lake Louise, Banff, Canmore, Exshaw, Harvie Heights, Lac Des Arcs, Kananaskis, Saskatchewan River Crossing and Deadman’s Flats. This combined area located in Western Alberta, is commonly known as “the Bow Valley.”
The population served by our program includes approximately 30,600 permanent residents, seasonal employees, weekend residents and over 5 million visitors annually.
Our services are unique in that they cover both Provincial and National Park regions and addresses a wide variety of situations including domestic abuse, sexual assault, motor vehicle collisions, backcountry accidents and sudden deaths.
BVVSA provides the following services
Crisis Response
The BVVSA provides 24 hour, 7 day per week, on call assistance to victims requiring immediate trauma intervention, emotional support and practical assistance. Program staff and volunteers are asked to provide immediate help and support by RCMP members and by the staff of other community agencies including the Mineral Springs Hospital, the Canmore Hospital, Kananaskis Conservation Officers, the Banff National Park Public Safety team and emergency service personnel.
General Assistance
Program staff and volunteer victim advocates provide non-judgmental support and practical assistance to victims. This includes formalized court preparation sessions for crown witnesses, the accompaniment of people to court, the transportation of individuals as required, information on bail hearings, and assistance with the completion of victim impact statements, restitution claims and applications for financial benefits.
Referral
Program staff and advocates are trained in appropriate community resources for victims who require additional or complimentary services, including the referral of victims of crime and trauma to mental health professionals.
Information
Program staff and advocates inform victims of their rights when dealing with the criminal justice system, keeping these individuals abreast of developments with criminal investigations and all court proceedings.
Public Education and Crime Prevention
The BVVSA promotes crime prevention through the provision of preventive information to victims of crime, by conducting community presentations, educational seminars and school programs, and by acting as a resource for other community agencies who may come into contact with victims.
Critical Incident Stress Management
The BVVSA coordinates and facilitates Critical Incident Stress Management in the Bow Valley, to help decrease the impact that traumatic events can have on individuals and organizations.
"Our experience has been that BVVSA has had a significant impact and continues to be an integral service to our communities.”
