As the coordinator of the Jasper Victim Services Unit, Paul Schmidt is on call at all hours of the day,聽 ensuring that someone is always available to console and assist victims of tragic accidents and crimes in Jasper National Park. In some cases that's a family member of someone who's been injured or killed. In other cases it's the victim of a crime or the witness of a crime.
In this monthly column, Schmidt will talk about some of the issues he sees. He won't speak for victims or any of the other agencies that work with them, but will address the issues from a victim services perspective, drawing on his years of experience out in the field.
Nov. 25 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It also marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, which seeks to end violence against women and girls around the world.
Statistics Canada reports that in 2013 there were 88,000 victims of domestic violence in Canada.
Eighty per cent of those were female, and most often their abusers were intimate partners.
Each province has different rates of domestic violence, with Saskatchewan taking the top spot in the country; Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec are all above the national average.
The reported rates of domestic violence in Jasper are lower than in other areas of Alberta. There may be several reasons for that, and I suspect having a close knit community鈥攚here we all know our neighbours and, as such, may not want to call the RCMP鈥攎ay have at least a small part to do with that. Other likely factors include the community鈥檚 high rate of employment, its community supports and a high level of physical activity amongst residents.
Many of the incidents that are reported in Jasper occur in hotel rooms and campgrounds.
Actions and behaviours such as pushing, slapping, punching, choking and restraining are some forms of physical abuse, but there are also additional forms of abuse that happen at the same time, such as emotional abuse, psychological abuse, sexual abuse, stalking, as well as threats to harm children, other family members, pets, or property.
A lot of people do not report these events.
And, when they are reported, many times when the police arrive, whether its as a result of a call from a neighbour or directly from a victim, the victim may not want to press charges.
But one thing the public often doesn鈥檛 realize is that the RCMP lays charges, not the individual.
The accused in these relationships often make calculated decisions and often take advantage of the victims鈥� circumstances, denying access to money, or use of finances, as a form of control.
My role as victim services coorindator is to support the victim during a traumatic situation, as well as during the court process ahead. When a victim does not want charges laid, or wants to be able to have contact with the accused, I explain the process to them, as well as what their options are.
When an individual wants to ensure that the accused is kept out of their home, and there is no contact allowed, I try to ensure that their voice is heard by the Crown Prosecutor and the courts.
I also advocate that these individuals take the opportunity to connect with a mental health therapist. Friends and personal supports are also important, but a counsellor with an outside perspective is often needed.
I have seen over the years that people in relationships are not always ready to make huge changes in their lives, and often may need time to make those decisions. I am here to assist in whatever way I can, and certainly their safety is at the top of my mind as they make their plans.
For more information, support or if you have any questions, please contact Jasper Victim Services at 780-852-2275 or by email at [email protected].
Paul Schmidt
Special to the 51暗网
