Victim Services Niagara is a dynamic organization whose dedicated volunteer crisis responders respond to referrals from Niagara Regional emergency services by offering immediate, vital, short-term, confidential support to the ever changing needs of victims.
What is Victim Services Niagara?
Victim Services Niagara (VSN) Crisis Responders provide 24/7 short term emotional and practical support to victims of crime and tragic circumstances. Assistance is provided free of charge working in cooperation with local Emergency Services (police, fire, hospital and medical emergency services).
Why do we help?
In tragic circumstances VSN is there – caring, listening, supporting.
Through immediate assistance and a variety of services, VSN lessens the trauma of victims by validating emotions and reactions, assisting the victim in accessing appropriate support services in our community, and helping them regain a sense of personal control in order to return their lives to a desired degree of stability.
How do we help?
VSN provides five services to assist victims of crime and tragedy. We offer on-scene crisis intervention and a bridge to other community services which can provide long term support; timely financial assistance for emergency, funeral and counseling expenses and compensation for certain crimes; safety planning; and free personal alarms and wireless cell phones for victims of domestic violence.
Who do we help?
VSN can help if your personal rights have been violated by criminal, violent or aggressive acts; if your life has been affected by trauma, tragedy or disaster (regardless of severity); if you are the family or friend of a person who has been injured or killed as a result of an accident or as a result of crime; or if you have viewed a violent or traumatic incident.
