Lethbridge Victim Agencies Sign Memorandum of Understanding: “This Kind of Collaboration is Essential” – Lethbridge | The Canadian News

Lethbridge victim care agencies are working together to help those affected by sexual violence.

The four groups have signed a memorandum of understanding, with the aim of creating a collaborative structure to better support the city.

“This work is never done in isolation,” said Kristine Cassie, executive director of the Chinook Center for Sexual Assault.

“We are involved in many different community organizations… and even the general public in our community. So this kind of collaboration is essential to the work we do. “

Victim service organizations from the Chinook Sexual Assault Center, YWCA, Lethbridge Police Service and RCMP are part of the new agreement.

The belief is that the MOU will improve care from start to finish, returning the power of choice to affected people.

“In order to have the freedom of where they want to go, if they want referrals, those things are really important when you’re trying to deal with sexual assault,” said YWCA Lethbridge & District Acting Executive Director Tracy James.

The initiative will see groups working together to create a better environment for those in need of support, training each other in their own areas of expertise.

“It is really important that any individual who experiences sexual violence or any type of violence is supported with respect and a sense of security,” said James.

According to Cassie, the deal is one of the first of its kind in the province, but it is gaining traction in other areas.

The agencies have already been contacted by groups in Red Deer seeking a similar partnership.

“We can’t wait to see where this is going to go,” Cassie said.

“Right now, we’re going to focus on how we’re going to keep motivating each other to do the best job possible and where that coaching element is going to be, and just keep the ball going.”

And the local effort is growing too, with plans to bring more rural victim service units to southern Alberta.