Not sure where to start?
Every situation is different, so we’ve grouped our most common questions into three areas below. If you don’t see your question, or you’re not sure which category applies to you, reach out directly — our team is happy to point you in the right direction.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Is there a cost for services?
There is no cost to clients for any of our services or programs.
How do I know if I am eligible for victim services?
If you have been the victim of crime, contact our office and our staff will be able to let you know if you are eligible for our services. If we are unable to assist you, we will provide you with a referral to a more appropriate service provide.
Do you offer counselling services?
We do not offer counselling services, however we will help you navigate to the correct resources.
I have not reported to police, do I require a referral or can I self-refer?
Contact our office and we will be able to give you an appropriate answer based on your particular circumstances.
Court Related Questions
Why does my criminal court matter keep getting adjourned (put to a new date)?
In Canada, anyone who is charged with a crime (the accused) has a number of rights that the system must respect. This includes the right to have a lawyer and to know what the evidence is against them.
The most common reasons court dates are adjourned include:
- The accused needs more time to hire a lawyer or apply for Legal Aid
- The accused and their lawyer need time to receive and review the evidence (also referred to as disclosure)
- There are ongoing discussions between the Crown prosecutor and the accused’s lawyer about a possible resolution
- They are setting a date for a trial, decision, or sentencing that works with everyone’s schedule
You do not have to attend court unless you receive a subpoena (most often this would be for trial). Instead, your local Victim Services Unit should be able to keep you updated on what is happening in court.
If you have questions around the court process or your court matter, call or contact the Eastern Alberta Regional Victim Serving Society.
Do I have to attend court?
Some cases will be resolved without a victim needing to attend court, while others may require a victim to testify about what happened.
You are only required to attend court if you receive a subpoena. A subpoena is a court order that requires someone to attend court.
Our office will keep you up to date and will support you through the process of testifying, if required.
As a victim of crime, can I drop the charges?
No, a victim cannot have the charges dropped because the victim did not lay the charges. Police make the decision to lay charges or not. The Crown prosecutor decides whether to proceed with the prosecution or not.
However, we work closely with the Crown prosecutor and can provide your wishes to them for consideration.
As a victim of crime, do I need a lawyer?
Protection Order Questions
What is a King's Bench Protection Order (KBPO)?
This means that the application will also be served to the person that the order is being applied against. With a KBPO, you can apply directly in the Court of King’s Bench, often located in your local Court of Justice, and the judge there can also order that money be repaid if expenses occurred as a result of the violence.
What is a restitution order?
To request restitution, you will be required to fill out a Statement of Restitution form with the amount of money you are requesting and attach any receipts to the form.