Each week we will post a summary of interesting and representative 211 calls. This week, we have a connection from Manitoba.

Manitoba:

Witnessing a violent crime is extremely frightening and can bring up many negative emotions for witnesses. Witnesses need support too. 211 Service Navigators will find services and counselling for witnesses of crime.

A father called 211, looking for legal and emotional support for his teenaged daughter. The daughter had used a fake identification card to access a dance club. While she was there, she witnessed a sexual assault.

The father wanted to report the crime; however, he was concerned about how witnessing the frightening event was affecting his daughter.

The Service Navigator let the caller tell the story at his own pace, asking open-ended questions. When she had a thorough understanding of the situation, she gave the father information on reporting the crime and provided some free legal resources as he had requested. She also provided referrals to agencies that could help with counselling, so that his daughter could emotionally process what she had witnessed.

The father said that he was very happy with the support and referrals provided. The father stated that he had felt hopeless prior to calling and now had hope and resources to support his daughter. He thanked the 211 Service Navigator for the service, and for being available 24 hours, 7 days a week.