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Probation Officers assigned to this Team provide supportive services to the victims of crime and witness accompaniment to Court hearings. The purpose is to empower victims to move beyond victimization through developing coping skills, accessing necessary intervention services and maintaining overall stability; while witnesses are assisted with overcoming the discomforts of appearing in Court. The team advocates on behalf of victims and witnesses who access this service, to raise awareness to their issues/needs e.g. for safety. Victim Services Officers do not interact with the accused person but, as necessary, case discussion is held with Probation Officers interviewing the accused.

The following are responsibilities of Victim Services Officers:

  1. Preparing Reports:
    • Collecting information and timely preparing formatted Victim Impact Reports and Case Status Reports, at the required departmental standards, at the request of the Court, Parole Board, Prison, or other agency. 
    • Conducting History of Violence/Victimization assessments and identifying safety, vulnerability concerns as well as other needs of victims.
    • Requesting specific Court action to meet client’s safety, financial and other informed needs arising from the offence.
    • Liaising as necessary with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) to comply with required Court procedure, through the Senior Probation Officer.
    • Liaising with partner agencies as necessary to gather information to complete requested reports through the Senior Probation Officer. 
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  3. Performing Case Planning and Advocacy:
    • Developing a plan of action that indicates how the Officer will work with the victim to adequately identify their needs, advocate on their behalf, accompany them throughout the Court process and access intervention to reduce the likelihood of further victimization.
    • Conducting direct and indirect contact with home, employment, and community to provide support based on victim’s needs and concerns.
    • Liaising with partner agencies to organize/attend client’s Case Conferences when appropriate, especially when it’s necessary to advocate for victims and/or promote the victim’s rights.
    • Liaising internally with departmental teams to ensure continuity of services, especially the Domestic Violence Intervention Services Probation Officer.
    • Holding case discussions with supervisor and peers
    • Making appropriate referrals on behalf of victims
    • Maintaining accurate and timely entries of progress reports, all contacts and other documents for the electronic and paper files.
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  5. Performing Court Services:
    • Attending Grand Court, Summary Court, and Traffic Court as and when required.
    • Providing Witness/Victim Accompaniment services in accordance with departmental standards and procedures.
    • Documenting court proceedings relating to DCR clients present at Court on Court Log, file information in designated log and email to all DCR staff.
    • Providing information on DCR cases to the Court.
    • Submitting all reports to Court on a timely basis.
    • Clarifying court instructions and the role of the Probation Officer (Victim Services) and other agencies to clients.
    • Being prepared to answer questions on oath put by the Court with regard to any Court proceedings.
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  7. Sharing in Group Services:
    • Participating in the planning, prep work, and debriefing of each group session
    • Co-facilitating groups as required in the community and in the institution.
    • Assisting with maintaining group statistics on participants during and after group series.
    • Assisting with maintaining accurate attendance records and participation logs
    • Responding to any challenges presented throughout the group process in a professional manner and in accordance with departmental guidelines.
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  9. Compiling Statistics:
    • Maintaining accurate statistics in accordance with caseload and departmental logs/registries.
    • Completing and submitting accurate monthly statistics by the second working day of each month.
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  11. Attending Meetings:
    • Representing the department at external meetings and sharing in intra-departmental meetings as required.

 

Last Updated: 2013-04-04

Last Updated 2013-04-04