Source URL: rmalberta.com/news/rma-releases-issue-backgrounder-on-victim-services-unit-regionalization/

RMA Releases Issue Backgrounder on Victim Services Unit Regionalization

The issue backgrounder outlines the concerns the RMA has on the impacts of the Government of Alberta’s transition of VSU services to a zonal model

The RMA has released an issue backgrounder outlining rural municipal concerns with the Government of Alberta’s (GOA) regionalization of victim services. The transition is currently underway, and the current zonal model is scheduled to be implemented beginning in Spring 2024. The RMA has expressed concerns with the proposed regionalization approach since it was first proposed by the GOA in 2020. This included participation in virtual engagement sessions and written submissions to government indicating the RMA’s support for improved provincial funding and capacity-building support in the current model. At the RMA 2023 Spring Convention, members endorsed resolution 10-23S: Victim Services Delivery Model. The resolution provided the RMA with further direction to continue to push back on the regionalization of the model.

For over 30 years, victim services units (VSUs) have provided critical assistance and a wide range of services to people across the province in the unfortunate event that they become a victim of crime or tragedy. The RMA has multiple concerns with the new zonal approach for VSUs, including:

  • That a standardized regional approach to victim services delivery will replace the flexibility and local focus of the existing model.
  • That the GOA plans to provide increased funding for the new model rather than sufficiently fund the current model.
  • That the GOA is moving ahead with this decision without providing any public analysis or data explaining how the current model does not meet service delivery outcomes.
  • That the disconnection of victim services from local police detachments under a regional model will risk timely access to the service for victims.

The full issue backgrounder provides a detailed overview of these, and additional concerns and questions associated with the regional model.

Rural municipalities and residents deserve localized services that reflect the diverse needs of their communities.

Kallie Wischoff
Policy Advisor
825.319.2245
kallie@RMAlberta.com

Wyatt Skovron
Manager of Policy & Advocacy
780.955.4096
wyatt@RMAlberta.com