THUNDER BAY -- The trauma for victims and survivors of crime lasts long after the initial crime.
On Tuesday, the Thunder Bay and Area Victim Services gathered with city officials, the Crime Prevention Council, Thunder Bay Police Service and the Thunder Bay Counselling Centre at city hall to show their support for victims and survivors with a flag-raising and proclamation for the national Victims and Survivors of Crime week.
This year’s national theme is “The Power of Our Voices”. The event in Thunder Bay is one of many all across Canada from May 29th to June 4thraising awareness about issues facing victims and survivors of crime and the services, assistance and laws in place to help.
“When a crime is committed, our society can lose focus on what’s important. People tend to look at the crime itself rather than those impacted. Too often the victims and survivors of crime live with the trauma by themselves.
“Thunder Bay and Area Victim Services is here to let them know that they don’t have to suffer alone. There are services and laws in place to help them. From advocacy to counselling, there are people and organizations in Thunder Bay using the power of our voices to make it better for victims and survivors,” Thunder Bay and Area Victim Services Executive Director Deborah Dika says.
Once the proclamation was read, participants wrote names of loved ones, quotes and personal stories on ribbons and placed them on a tree, to be planted at a later date.
“The ribbons are a visual representation of The Power of Our Voices,” Dika says.
“The tree shows the growing strength victims and survivors have when they are nourished. With the right services and supports in place, they can flourish.”
After the ceremony, participants walked to Minnesota Park to show victims and survivors the number of people and organizations here in Thunder Bay that provide support.
Shared stories from victims and survivors were read aloud. An anonymous letter from a survivor thanked Thunder Bay and Area Victim Services for their support in a trying time.
“The support offered to victims from a group of complete strangers is truly a gift. If it wasn’t for the care, compassion and support I have been shown I’m not sure I would have survived. To call yourselves volunteers is an understatement.
To me you are an empowerment to all survivors in our community.”