Staff and volunteers from North Simcoe Victim Services (NSVS) were front and centre at the Orillia Square mall this week, spreading awareness about the work they do in the community as part of Victims and Survivors of Crime Week.
Kim Kneeshaw, executive director of NSVS, says it’s important to highlight the work of the agency during this week.
“We want people to know that there is support out there for victims and survivors of crime,” she said.
“When you’ve been victimized, it’s a terrible horrible feeling, and oftentimes, if you’ve never been in crisis before, you don’t really know what to do or where to go to get support and how to get help," she explained.
Volunteers from NSVS were handing out pamphlets and cards with various avenues for support with all sorts of different issues such as domestic violence, bereavement, addiction supports, emotional supports, sexual assault supports, and more.
“We encourage people to take information on these supports because we recognize that COVID has been very long and difficult for people,” Kneeshaw said.
“A lot of the supports haven’t been necessarily available through COVID. Some of the counselling agencies have moved all online which makes it difficult to get service in person. However, we are still open and have been open and we are able to provide our services," said Kneeshaw.
When a crisis happens, depending on the situation, NSVS volunteers are called to the scene to provide support.
“A lot of times when people have been victimized or traumatized because of a crisis, they are not aware of the supports that are out there. This week is a time to remind people that there are victims, we need to be kinder to each other, and there are supports out there,” Kneeshaw said.
North Simcoe Victim Services were also giving out self-care packages to help with COVID-19 fatigue. The bags contained journals, pens, adult colouring books, tea, and blankets.
“We’ve noticed that with COVID it’s not hard to get people to engage with us. We’ve all been so isolated for so long, and people are open to talking about it, which is good,” Kneeshaw said.
The agency is currently in dire need of volunteers due to the pandemic. The next training class is set for March.
“We have only been able to train one class since March of 2019. We like to do our training in person so we can engage better and answer questions,” Kneeshaw said.
The training class takes 60 hours to complete; most of it is in person and there is an online aspect.
“It’s a great sense of satisfaction when you can help someone, and that’s what you get out of it. It feels so good to be able to help somebody else in a time of need,” Kneeshaw said.
For those 21 or older who would like to volunteer with North Simcoe Victim Services, email [email protected].
