Access to the Victim Services Program is through our Seniors Abuse and Information Line (SAIL) at 604-437-1940 in the Lower Mainland and toll-free 1-866-437-1940, weekdays 8 am to 8 pm and weekends 10 am to 5:30 pm, excluding statutory holidays. 

The Victim Services program is community-based and provides telephone-based, province-wide support to adults over 50 years old who have experienced crime and/or abuse. In some cases, services are also provided to affected parties (of any age), who have a close relationship with the (50+) older adult they are assisting and witnessed the abuse or neglect. Clients do not require a formal referral to access services and receive support regardless of whether the client has chosen to report to the police or not. Clients can also remain anonymous by using an alias. 

We collaborate with local Victim Services Programs and provincial partners for a coordinated response to and prevention of elder abuse, and we raise awareness about abuse and crimes against older adults.

Our victim services worker provides:

• Emotional support for older adults who are considering whether to report the abuse to the police;
• Safety planning 
• Information about the criminal justice system, including the process and roles of key parties; 
• Assistance in contacting police, doctors or other professionals about what happened; 
• Coordination with community partners in obtaining case specific information, such as the status of a police report and protection orders;
• Form completion assistance to the Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP) and Victim Safety Unit’s (VSU) Victim Notification program;
• Assistance accessing social and community services such as shelters, transition houses, counselling, adult mental health programs, etc.

This program is made possible with thanks to funding from the Victim Services and Crime Prevention Division and the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.