Victim Support Worker

at  Archway Community Services

JOB SUMMARY

The Victim Support Worker provides administrative support to the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) and works in collaboration with the Abuse Counselling Program to support survivors of sexual abuse. The Victim Support Worker provides emotional support, crisis intervention, safety planning, and third-party reporting support through the criminal justice system, advocacy, and outreach.

Archway’s Victim Support Worker with the Sexual Assault Response Program contributes by:

• Providing a variety of supports and services to clients including justice related information, practical assistance, investigation status, roles of criminal justice system representatives, levels of court/court procedures, updates on court case progress, court orders/probation/post-sentencing, dynamics of abuse; providing emotional and practical support, and crisis intervention.
• Conducting client assessments and making appropriate service plans, outlining services and resources provided by Archway and/or providing linkages with other community agencies.
• Through client intake assessment, determining the need for independent legal advice referral.
• Providing information to victims about their rights under the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) and other legislation.
• Acting as an advocate for clients in the Criminal Justice System, providing support and preparing clients for the criminal court process.
• Managing new and existing clients while involved in the program, providing support and, as appropriate, providing follow-up support upon leaving the program.
• Accompanying the clients to various justice related appointments including pre-trial interviews with Crown Counsel as well as court accompaniment as needed.
• Liaising with police, judiciary, corrections, and other community resources on behalf of clients.
• Providing information and support to clients who require services through the Forensic Nursing program at the Abbotsford Regional Hospital.
• Maintaining accurate records of individual case plans, activity updates and other documentation for reporting purposes.
• Maintaining accurate client records and providing monthly statistics to the supervisor.
• Conducting community outreach and education and providing information through presentations as requested by community partners.

This position is a great fit for someone who demonstrates personal maturity, sound judgement, and self motivation. The successful candidate must have exceptional time management skills, strong facilitation skills, knowledge of provincial programs and systems related to criminal justice, and the ability to work with other community agencies and partners relating to the clients’ needs.
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