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Valuable program
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Thirty years ago, Ms. McCormick really had no place to turn to help her deal with the aftermath of the traumatic events of that fateful night. Fortunately, that’s now changed. Thanks to the dogged efforts of a group of individuals, backed by dedicated volunteers, a victim services program is now up and running here—ready to assist local residents in coping with physical or sexual assaults, other crimes, or perhaps a devastating house fire or car accident.
The program offers one-on-one support until long-term help is found to ensure the victim is in a safe place, emotionally stable, and had received medical care if required. Transportation to a safe place, temporary housing, and food and clothing are some of the services available.
Such immediate assistance, coupled with timely, appropriate referrals, has been shown to help reduce trauma and recovery time for victims of crime or other misfortune. As well, victims whose needs were attended to effectively were better able to aid the police investigation.
Hopefully no one here will ever have to face an ordeal like the one Ms. McCormick suffered through. It’s comforting to know, however, that a program is in place locally should anyone need a shoulder to lean on in their time of crisis.
Kudos to all involved in founding the Rainy River District Victim Services Program—and the volunteers who are key to its success.
One can’t help but be inspired by the story of Melissa McCormick, the Windsor, Ont. woman who was kidnapped and brutally gang-raped in Detroit when she was just 19 years old.
Her ordeal caused her to plunge into depression, which eventually led to an addiction to valium and pain-killers, and then dabbling in other kinds of drugs.
Thirty years ago, Ms. McCormick really had no place to turn to help her deal with the aftermath of the traumatic events of that fateful night. Fortunately, that’s now changed. Thanks to the dogged efforts of a group of individuals, backed by dedicated volunteers, a victim services program is now up and running here—ready to assist local residents in coping with physical or sexual assaults, other crimes, or perhaps a devastating house fire or car accident.
The program offers one-on-one support until long-term help is found to ensure the victim is in a safe place, emotionally stable, and had received medical care if required. Transportation to a safe place, temporary housing, and food and clothing are some of the services available.
Such immediate assistance, coupled with timely, appropriate referrals, has been shown to help reduce trauma and recovery time for victims of crime or other misfortune. As well, victims whose needs were attended to effectively were better able to aid the police investigation.
Hopefully no one here will ever have to face an ordeal like the one Ms. McCormick suffered through. It’s comforting to know, however, that a program is in place locally should anyone need a shoulder to lean on in their time of crisis.
Kudos to all involved in founding the Rainy River District Victim Services Program—and the volunteers who are key to its success.
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