b-. A20 - Sunday, December 9, 1984 - North Shore News OF NV CRIME Program working to offer SIX MONTHS _ after the stare of the North Vancouver RCMP Vic- tim Assistance Program (VAP), coordinator Cst. Elizabeth Hood Says she is confident the program is moving in the right direction. By JOANNE MacDONALD “It's serving as a bridge between the investigating of- ficers and the victims, pro- viding information and sup- port to the victums But it’s Stull, growing,” says Hood “Pm really happy with the way if's helped prepare pevo- ple tor court. It's not so in- tumidating anymore. | try to let people know what to ex- pect in the courtroom, what questions might be. asked, and then be there for sup- port and for any questions they might have.”" VAP officially began operations on June 18, with Hood's initial chores) con- sisting of sending out tollow-up letters to victims of non-violent crimes [In its second phase, the program expanded to provide services to victims of such violent erimes as robbery and assault. These services range anywhere from court Preparation to referrals to social service agencies. Now in its ‘fine-tuning stage,’’ Hood savs over 400 letters have been sent to vic tims since the program began, with 146 people per sonally contacted Although Hood’ s cases surtace through complaints tandltect by other ROMP she stresses she as more than willing ote several oof Members deal with Anonymous callers “They don't have to tibet pobre report before oontas ting me Phe sensi here fot a bods (re Com TRa ES referrals Cha aetualls deal rap Wath tse becuse Lorn ret ry] Sorurse dict aye thor SNe eee te at og pee bots monet sacee NONE at tee ty | att alwars votes Pre tar tes ut agentes ha wd Poi ade rene bavt fayies 48 t ve hatha st orate Noteecs . PON rie crue Petar hare ‘ \ fia Me dpeah re gat NN \ “ow >) > LAr Microwave © Ovens COST LESS AT COLONY INCREDIBLE SELECTION FIDENCE 1 ' sap a BUY WITH CON ‘ COLONY _ df HIOOME EL RNESELINGIS | Warehouse/Showroomn COPE IN TO) Tah bAUEsE He | ve abbott Uses Ay ations wh VOT there oreerweetl Cores PIN Vine 1 Sin 985-8738 12 4 Sun 7 CST. ELIZABETH Hood — helping the victims of crime. of November, all attending certain situations are required to. distribute ecards outlining the services members provided by VAP and the contact telephone number, 98S. 1311 “Ror aunstance, ait oa member's at a domestic call, whatever they tell a person at the time might go in one ear and out the other because iS such ah emo- tional situation But if they leave the card, it could act as a reminder later on and that person just might call here looking for help of informa- tron,” says Hood She says her most cases have involved recent feehage eisls, ovactims of sexual assault “dts oa Deg ause the httle then More work, loans dealing and wath vet the be> o> " Za / CL qAtttyy, SStatestee ss Coattacda Corirtiers. byegt fatvert Opportunity [dco EN ECSEO OR bry Witt oa 4 witness al truth judge C ounsel,”’ becpocotts, cqiveét oad ‘SAF and a thie nee tthiet and explain the same time tell them what it’s like to be a witness, ference between he, telling and | the CENTURION SAFES cif bsterak Many crimes, Pres tery | mre Wene e 14/9 Ctiahee INTRODUCING OUR NEW MODEL 22: the dif the also explain the functions of the Crown she says, adding she trys to ensure the girls “*stt through’’ a similar case aid to victims betore their COULTL “Pye noted a@ couple of the court reporters have helped to pul some witnesses at ease before thei testime- ny, so that while they're tesufying they can either look at the court reporter, the Crown or even the judge — they're triendly faces That way they can keep their eyes away from the accus- ed" VAP also provides intor- mation about criminal injury OWN COMmMes fo compensation Although Hood acknowledges, ‘It's not common. tor. sexual assault cases to receive com- pensation,’’ she cites one sexual assault) victim who was awarded $4000 under the Criminal pensanion Act The compensation tunds are public and are ad- ministered by the Workers’ Compensation Board = Ac- cording to Hood, some tunds are also available for families of deceased persons involved in criminal attack “T think morale has gone up for victims since VAP started The teedback I've received has been really pos ive,’ says Hood. ‘People are saying, ‘It's about time, people started helping vic- tims.’ ”" Injunes Com- edtoc] tooolect dhe c Titrdert, cof Your Vathtuartoles Introducing ... Meat & spinach canellont or lasagne — includes garlic bread $650 We deliver on Sundays from tpm 985-0636 ' . Free cookies! Get GehcrOusly tree Chocolate ChIP COOKIES with every pi2zZd yOu order of a lifetime. With borttaricates bites ss Preview Program" you ll lecurr how too lose: 2 tof pounds a week safely” Your ll) also lectri thot wee gucireanitee results for 4 yeas DO GIVE Us two week oot y: Arid oh triete SAue x vad tire Lercdrta bow wer con give: Lifestirties cof boeetracg thai Yoru | A Successful Comin [ yma North Vancouver | 104 255 West 1st 984-9121 West Vancouver 1944 Marine Drive 925-3311 lie ]