National Victims of Crime Awareness Week may be over for another year but the importance and drive behind the need for such awareness remains.
During the week of April 6 to 12, Rimbey and District Victim Services helped put on a number of information sessions and events to raise public awareness in a variety of sectors.
“It’s something that is put on by the Department of Justice Canada,” said Rimbey and District Victim Services assistant co-ordinator Patricia Jones. “They have a theme every year and this theme was Taking Action for a Safer Community.”
On Monday April 7 an information session was held at West Country Outreach School, where two cheques where provided to the school. One was for a guest speaker and the other to reward and acknowledge its healthy breakfast program.
April 9 took awareness to the senior citizens of the community. “There was a presentation by Const. Tyler Hagel on fraud, theft and scams pertaining to seniors,” said Jones.
Each senior was also given a credit card protection sleeve.
At the Rimbey Municipal Library, on April 10 and 11, a car seat and child safety seminar was held. As part of the ChildFind program children’s pictures and fingerprints were taken, weight and other measurements collected, along with some of their hair.
Thursday evening, April 11, a mother and daughter also spoke out with a powerful message on the dangers of addiction after their family was heavily affected by the daughter’s descent into the world of crystal meth. “It was a remarkable presentation,” said Jones.
On Saturday, April 12, a self-defense course for women was also held.
“The purpose is to bring awareness to the public of the programming and supports for victims,” said Jones.
“Being aware, that’s our goal, it’s to make everyone aware of what’s out there . . . So they don’t become a victim,” she added. “We also want them to know we’re here for them whenever. It’s all confidential.”