Nanaimo-based Victim Services helped nearly 900 people in 2018 with the ramifications of the crimes they fell victim to. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Spencer Sterritt

much needed service

Under-funded Nanaimo Victim Services asking for two new positions to combat burnout and tough conditions

Nov 16, 2019 | 2:41 AM

NANAIMO — “There’s only so much we can ask of our volunteers and let me tell you, it’s a difficult job.”

Cheryl Zapotichny, program manager with RCMP Victim Services, explained to Nanaimo councillors this week how damaging the consistent underfunding of the service is.

“The program does not have funding to provide psychological services to volunteers or part time staff.”

Currently, $53,200 the service receives from the City is roughly $2,000 less than it received in 2004. There were no yearly funding increases to combat the rise of inflation and Nanaimo’s booming population.

This chart highlights how funding for Victim Services hasn’t kept up with inflation and rising populations. (handout)

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“We’re doing the best we can with a shoestring budget,” Jennifer McAskill said. “We will use any money we get but it’s becoming extremely burdensome on the group of individuals who are part of the team.”

Victim Services helped 837 clients in 2018 grapple with the ramifications of serious crimes such as child pornography, sexual assault and murder. This includes guiding clients through the complicated court system and getting proper grief and emotional support.

McAskill and Zapotichny asked councillors for $100,000, which would cover the cost of two full time positions.

The request was enthusiastically received by councillors, who applauded victim services staff for working so well under difficult decisions.

“We should not be nickel-and-diming and starving the various people who help out our services,” coun. Don Bonner said.

“This is one of those services in our city which flies under the radar and so many people are not aware of it,” coun. Ian Thorpe said

A decision about the $100,000 request was not made at the meeting this week.

With 2020 budget discussions scheduled for later in November, councillors voted in favour of including the request in their budget deliberations.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit