Victim services engages community

The community is getting to know Ionkwatahónhsate Victim Services, with two information sessions held over meals last Thursday familiarizing Kahnawa’kehró:non with the resources they can offer.

“I think we had really good conversations where people found out what we have to offer, and it helped people decipher who’s doing what,” said victims advocacy worker Cheryl Lahache.

The events were hosted by the Justice Services division of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) at the Golden Age Club, with a lunchtime “Lunch and Learn” session in the afternoon followed by a “Supper and Learn” session in the evening.

That structure allowed more community members to attend, Lahache said, adding that she was pleased to see a particularly high turnout from frontline workers at the event, including a psychiatrist and a mental health nurse from the hospital.

“I think it was really great that organizations came out to find out about the service,” Lahache said.

Having attendees that were part of different community organizations meant that creative solutions could be brainstormed for scenarios concerning victims - such as certain workers suggesting initiatives to help support transportation of victims to court dates, or other initiatives.

“The impact that can come from just one information session, where people can say ‘Hey, maybe we can help,’ or ‘Hey, what if we thought about it like this?’ is just great,” Lahache said. “We don’t have all of these things, they’re all things that need to be explored, and I can see where eventually Victim Services could expand to meet more needs in the community.”

Ionkwatahónhsate Victim Services was launched at the end of last year, and supports victims with emotional, practical, and technical support. The service can help with writing victim impact statements, applying for temporary housing, and filling out complaint forms if there has been an infringement or denial of a victim’s rights in a situation.

The service is also able to connect victims with other resources in the community that might be of help.

“Right now, we’re starting off small, and this is something the community needs to know about,” Lahache said. “But this is where our partnerships start or get strengthened. We look at how we can all work better together, make sure we don’t overlap services, and make it work for everybody so that the community knows where to go.”

Next week, Ionkwatahónhsate Victim Services will also be hosting an online workshop, titled “Victims’ Rights and Remedies.” The workshop will take place on Wednesday December 4 via Microsoft Teams, from 11 a.m. to noon.

The workshop will be presented by Rita Lamolinara and Shreya Virani from the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime.

“Part of what Victim Services does is destigmatizing, and letting people know what your rights are as a victim,” Lahache said. “People don’t know what the remedies are that you’re entitled to, what the restitution is, and people need to know that you’re not helpless, you’re not hopeless, and there are laws and people here to help you.”

Participants are required to register in advance for next Wednesday’s workshop by contacting Lahache directly at 450-638-5645 ext. 60362 or by email at [email protected].

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