Community Accountability Programs Information ... - Ministry of Justice

• Information on the justice system, court accompaniment, and thirdpartyreports• Referrals to other resources• Services specific to particular cultural communitiesYou will find a directory of victim services programs at the following Website: http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/victim_services/index.htm.In addition to this network of programs, the Victim Services Divisionprovides the following support services:• VictimLINK (1 800 563-0808) is a 24-hour, toll-free, multilingual,province-wide telephone service that provides support and informationto victims of crime. VictimLINK provides information and referralservices to all victims and immediate crisis support to victims of familyand sexual violence.• The Crime Victim Assistance Program (1 866 660-3888) provideseligible victims, immediate family members, and witnesses withfinancial and other benefits.A caution about power-based crimesIn Part 1 of this manual, the caution was made that Community Accountability Programsshould not handle cases that involve violence against women in relationships, sexual offences,child abuse, or hate crimes.These crimes are often referred to as “power-based crimes.” These are crimes in whichoffenders abuse the power they hold over the victim, and the victim feels powerless toresist, avoid, or even speak about what is going on. The power that these offenders wieldmay be physical, emotional, psychological, social, or financial in nature, and is often basedon gender, age, relationship, ability, race, country of origin, sexual orientation, or physicalsize. Most victims of crime feel that their ability to make a free choice has been diminishedas a result of the experience. Victims of power-based crimes feel this more acutely. Hence,they usually require more attention and intensive support than can be provided by aCommunity Accountability Program.Guidelines for Working with Victims and Offenders 23