The UCP government announced it's expanding help for victims of crime to ensure they have consistent access to support across the province..On Tuesday, UCP MLA Angela Pitt for Airdrie-East and MLA for Lethbridge-East Nathan Neudorf, consulted stakeholders about a new victim assistance program and how to improve the current service delivery model..Based on the review, the working group made 19 recommendations to improve victim services and support in Alberta. According to the UCP, these will address gaps in the current system and ensure victims have immediate access to the help they need..“Victims deserve a system that protects and supports them from Day 1 and at every stop of their recovery," Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Tyler Shandro said.."Navigating the aftermath of a crime can be complex and each victim’s healing process can be different, so we are making sure wherever they may be in their journey or wherever they are in the province, they have access to the help they need when they need it. Victims will always be the priority.”.The new victim assistance program, starting September 1, will:.Give victims quick access to emergency financial assistance, such as emergency support for domestic violence victims and relocation assistance for human trafficking victims.Increase the 45-day limit on applications to two years.Increase counselling services to $12,000.Provide extended medical health benefits to victims with serious injuries.Provide additional financial supports to victims with severe injuries.Provide victims with court attendance reimbursement.Reimburse families of homicide victims for funeral expenses..To ensure victims have consistent access to services across Alberta, program delivery is shifting to a four-zone model, which aligns with RCMP districts.."This will improve the reliability, continuity and uniformity of service delivery across the province; increase professional supports for front-line case workers; and allow for greater flexibility and capacity to deliver services at the community level where they are needed the most," the UCP stated..Because of the recommendations, the provincial government will add a new layer of centralized professional staff support which will be created within each zone to provide strategic, logistical and administrative support to front-line caseworkers. It's unclear what all the recommendations were..In the coming weeks, the UCP said it will continue to engage victim-serving organizations and other stakeholders, including indigenous communities, on the best way to implement the new service delivery model. .Current victim services staff will have the opportunity to apply to be victim case workers, and current volunteer advocates will be able to continue their involvement under the new model..The new model will be rolled out in stages over the next year.
