NNSL (Mar 18/98) - Five more volunteers have joined the staff of Victim Services. The graduates of the 40-hour training sessions, which wrapped up Sunday, will double the number of volunteers working with the program.

Victim Services provides referral services to victims of spousal abuse, assault, robbery and to those who have lost a loved one.

"These are caring people who want to help out in the community," said Carol Macek, Victim Services co-ordinator.

The volunteers have been taught communication skills, crisis response, background on property crimes, courts and legal issues, the cycle of violence, social services and income support. They are equipped to assess a victim's needs and refer them to the appropriate social agency.

As well, the program offers victims of domestic abuse a chance to seek help without pressing charges against their spouse.

Catherine, a volunteer who could only give her first name to ensure anonymity, said the skills she acquired are also applicable elsewhere.

"The training is really excellent. It's going to help me tremendously," she said. "There are a lot of services for victims here. It's important that the community works together to help each other."

The volunteers work from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. each night at the RCMP detachment. They are also on call for emergencies during the weekends.

During the week, Victims Services has an office, open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Native Women's Association on 49th Street.

The program's inception in Yellowknife came in 1992. It now receives a few hundred calls a year from people in crisis, according to Macek.

"At anytime, any one of us could be a victim," Macek said, noting that Victim Services offers assistance to men, women and children. The volunteers will also accompany those in crisis to the hospital and court.

"It's someone to help them through their trauma," Macek said.