Kamloops RCMP recognizing National Victims and Survivors of Crime Week advising public to reach out

KAMLOOPS — Sunday (May 15) marked the start of National Victims and Survivors of Crime Week, which runs until May 21. The week recognizes those who have faced traumatic events and loss.

The RCMP Victim Services Unit is there to help people understand the effects of a crime and offer emotional support.

During the week, RCMP are reminding people they don’t have to move forward alone.

“It’s very important to take a moment and recognize the hardships of being a victim and the courage that it takes to overcome that and that collaboration really is a key and that’s the theme of this year — the power of collaboration,” says Kamloops RCMP Cst. Crystal Evelyn.

“The day that you might have to interact with a police officer could be the worst day of your life and it has nothing to do with what we’ve done but just what happened to you. When we show up, it could be the most traumatic experience that you’ve ever been through.”

The program is operated through a team of trained staff and volunteers. That’s where RCMP and victim services can assess each incident in-depth as they affect everyone differently.

“It could be the time when someone you love hurt you, it could be the time you were robbed, it could be the time someone broke into your house when you weren’t home and now you have to come home to that house and be reminded of what happened. It’s really important to remind people of the strength that it takes and the collaboration that’s needed to overcome some of that,” Evelyn adds.

The Kamloops RCMP Victim Services Unit, located at North Shore Community Policing Office, advises anyone that has experienced trauma or loss to reach out for help.

Members of the public can reach victim services by calling (250) 828-3223.