Jennifer McPhee
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Sep 07/01) - When the RCMP called Victim Services recently to assist a woman allegedly attacked with an axe, no one at the program could be reached.

Victim Services co-ordinator Agnes Etsemba helps, on average, four to five people each day at the Native Women's Association. - Jennifer McPhee/NNSL photo
Facts - Victim Services survives on a budget of $70,000. - Over the past three years its volunteer base has shrunk from a dozen people to zero.

And when Kyle Harry was killed by a bear last spring, no one at victim services was available for days.

Victim Services offers emotional support and practical assistance to victims both at the Native Women's Association and out of an office at the RCMP detachment.

Apart from two paid workers, the $70,000 program, funded largely by the department of justice, depends entirely on volunteers.

But over the past three years, its volunteer base has shrunk from a dozen to zero.

Some of them moved away, others found jobs, and at least two were let go.

For the last 18 months, Garry Burt was the only volunteer. Burt assisted victims at the RCMP detachment for three years. He moved to Edmonton several weeks ago. Students, hired by the RCMP, put in about 160 hours this summer. But they've all gone back to school.

Consequently, the program's cell phone is often unstaffed, leaving victims unable to get help when they need it most--after hours.

"The program has been quiet for awhile," admitted Victim Services co-ordinator Agnes Etsemba. "But the way I look at it, everything goes through its moments of struggle."

Etsemba said recruiting volunteers is difficult because they must wait for the results of an RCMP security clearance.

The check is necessary because volunteers have access to confidential files. But it can take up to six months and many volunteers get tired of waiting.

At a meeting this week, Victim Services, the RCMP and representatives from the department of justice met to discuss the program.

"The program is not running to a level that we're happy with," said RCMP sgt. Al McCambridge after the meeting. "We would like to see more representation at our detachment and a streamlining of the communication process."

Shirley Kemeys Jones, Director, Community Justice Division, said Victim Services will be recruiting volunteers differently in the future.

Some volunteers will be hired to provide services which only require a basic security clearance.

And in the meantime, one of the paid employees, Marie Speakman, will man the cell phone at night. Both paid workers will be on-call during the evenings. To ensure they don't burn out, they'll be given time off when they work nights.

"From what I understand," said Jones. "When someone rings that number, they are going to get an answer."