BARRHEAD – The Barrhead Victim Services office closed Sept. 30 as victim services move to a regionalized model.
Barrhead will be serviced out of the Eastern Alberta Regional Victim Services Society [EARVSS] in St Paul.
For 31 years, Barrhead Victim Services has been there for people in need.
Victim Services Units have supported individuals who are victims of trauma, crime, death or emergencies.
They are non-profit organization that is dispatched by the RCMP and referrals from other agencies including ambulance crews, fire services, healthcare centres and the Crown prosecutor’s office when needed.
The Barrhead Victim Services office has provided coverage for Barrhead municipalities, the Fort Assiniboine area which is part of Woodlands County and Swan Hills.
Swan Hills will be added to the Western Alberta Victim Services Society.
This plan has been in the works since July 2022 when then-Justice Minister and Solicitor General Tyler Shandro announced that 62 rural victim services boards would be amalgamated into four regional superboards.
The change was first announced at the March 5 County of Barrhead Council meeting.
The plan is to enhance services available to crime victims.
