What: Family Services of Greater Vancouver (FSGV) is recognizing Victims and Survivors of Crime Week (May 11-17, 2025), with a goal to raise awareness of its Victim Support Services and Trauma Counselling programs. These programs have been offered to people of all ages and backgrounds throughout the Agency’s history.
During Victims and Survivors of Crime Week, FSGV staff are available to talk about:
- Free and accessible programs for victims and survivors
- How these programs disrupt cycles of violence
- What it means to provide client-led, trauma-informed, and survivor-centred care
- What trauma is, and what body and nervous system responses to trauma can feel like
- The benefits of counselling for children following a traumatic event, including how parents and caregivers can navigate such a difficult experience
- How to identify and support victims of human trafficking
- Victim Services and Police Partnerships: Victim focused work from the first steps
- What trauma-focused court support looks like? (And it includes dogs!)
FSGV staff spokespersons include:
- Cheryl Melder, Program Director, Family, Trauma & Victim Supports
- Brenda Lochhead, Anti-Human Trafficking Educator & Community Consultant
- Jamie Smulders, Manager, Trauma Counselling
- Lindsey Sherman, Child & Family Trauma Therapist, SAIP (MA RCC)
- Areej Siddiqui, Trauma Therapist, PEACE
- Shannon Guiboche, Manager, Victim Services
Why: Each year, the Department of Justice Canada recognizes Victims and Survivors of Crime Week to raise awareness about the issues facing victims and survivors of crime and the services, assistance, and laws in place to support them. Through their Victim Services and Trauma Counselling programs, FSGV provides compassionate, trauma-informed assistance year-round through no-cost support services across Vancouver, New Westminster, Richmond, and Burnaby.
About Victim Services and Trauma Counselling programs:
- Victim Support Services – FSGV supports survivors of intimate partner violence, sexual violence, family violence, and human trafficking and exploitation. They help with emotional support; creating safety plans; assistance navigating the criminal justice system; developing a network of support; connecting to additional community supports, such as counselling, medical services; advocating in police, court, and justice systems; and more.
- Trauma Counselling – Trauma reactions are normal responses to abnormal situations that are experienced as deeply overwhelming, dangerous or life threatening. FSGV offers a range of specialized programs that support survivors in all stages of life who have experienced trauma. They help children and youth who have experienced sexual abuse; seniors experiencing abuse and neglect; parents who are trying to heal from trauma while pregnant and with young children; children and youth who have witnessed or experienced violence at home; survivors of partner violence; and survivors of sexual violence, exploitation, and human trafficking.
FSGV’s approach centers on evidence-based, client-led care, grounded in the belief that survivors are the experts in their own experiences. Surviving isn’t just about escaping harm – it’s about affirming autonomy and self-empowerment and charting a path forward. FSGV listens and walks beside their clients without defining their trauma, their needs, or their next steps.
Here’s a look at FSGV’s impact:
- 870+ – number of victims and survivors FSGV provided support to in 2024
- 275 – referrals to community-based victim services programs, housing, shelter, and legal services in 2024
- 4 years – average length of time FSGV works with each survivor of violence
- 5% – percentage of trauma counselling clients under the age of 19
When: Victims and Survivors of Crime Week takes place May 11-17, 2025.
How: There are many ways community members can support Victims and Survivors of Crime Week, including:
- Making a donation to FSGV so the organization can continue offering no-cost counselling and other resources to victims and survivors of crime. Donations can be made as a one-time gift, or sign-up to become a monthly donor.
Learn more about FSGV and the people it supports at www.fsgv.ca.
