Making Life Good Again
Garry Sawatzky (Plenary Session; Thursday, 8:45-9:45 a.m.)

TBA (Thoughts from the Bench)
Allan Wachowich (Session 1a; Thursday, 10:00-11:00 a.m.)

Prosecution: Roles and Perspectives
John Watson (Session 1b; Thursday, 10:00-11:00 a.m.)

Why is this case taking so long?
Once someone has been charged with a serious offence the prosecution of that accused may take years to conclude. This session will give an overview of the steps that occur during a prosecution and hopefully de-mystify why the case takes so long to reach a conclusion. What input or participation can a victim have at each stage will be explored.

What is the relationship between the prosecutor and the victim?
This topic will explore what the prosecutor can and can not provide to the victim including information, support and legal representation. As a victim what can you expect of the prosecutor? Why is he so friendly with the defence counsel? Does the relationship end with the conclusion of the prosecution?

The effects upon the prosecutor?
This topic will cover the personal reflections of the effect of prosecuting serious files upon a prosecutor and his family.
 

Understanding the Correctional Service of Canada: An overview of the stages of a federal inmates sentence and the role of Victims within the sentence
Kelly Hartle (Session 1c; Thursday, 10:00-11:00 a.m.)

• Description of Federal Correctional System roles and responsibilities
• Types of Federal Facilities and their purpose:  Maximum; Medium; Minimum security; Healing Lodges and Federally Sentenced Women facilities
• Stages of a federal sentence: Preliminary Assessment; Intake/Correctional Plan; Correctional Programs; Escorted Temporary Absences; Unescorted Temporary Absences; Work Release; Parole/Statutory Release
• Victim’s rights and information available during various stages of the federal sentence
• Question and Answer Period

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and the Fatality Inquiries Act
Dr. Anny Sauvageau (Session 2a, 11:15-12:15 p.m.)
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner certifies the cause and manner of deaths in accordance with the Fatality Inquiries Act. Its vision is to shed light on death, not only by certifying the cause and manner of death, but also by providing a forensic service, assisting and educating the Albertans in time of grief, and by maintaining and developing a center of excellence in forensic pathology and toxicology. Its mission is to provide accessible, responsive and client focused front line services of death investigation and death certification. The Office operates from two major sites, one in Edmonton and one in Calgary.

Defending an Accused In Homicides in Light of the Alleged Acts and Victim Impact
Mike Danyluik (Session 2b, 11:15-12:15 p.m.)

The session will explore how Defence Counsel must approach defending clients charged with homicides or other offences where death has been caused. Topics to be covered will include and not be limited to the following:

• Empathy for the deceased and their family – how to reconcile or deal with the natural reaction and the defence of your client
• When “bad character” of the deceased becomes an issue – how and when is it appropriate to advance
• Disdain for the Accused – how to reconcile or remove such emotion in defence of your client
• Family and Friends of the Deceased and Defence Counsel – Can we talk? Can we respect? Can we understand?
• Relationships – Crown/Defence, Defence/Police, Defence/Media - both generally and in relation to the victim and accused
• Understanding and respecting all of our roles in this process – Crown, Defence, Police, Victims Family, Accused and their Family, Media

Services to Victims:  Parole Board of Canada and Correctional Service Canada - download
Laurie Burnouf & Gary Sears (Session 2c; Thursday, 11:15-12:15 p.m.)
The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) and the Parole Board of Canada (PBC); provide joint services to victims of crime when the offender is serving a federal sentence (a sentence of two or more years).  Through a registration process, victims may obtain information specific to the offender’s movements within the federal correctional system and when an offender is on parole or supervision within the community. 

The presentation provides specific information on the services provided to victims of crime, and briefly outlines the following information:

• The definition of a victim as outlined in Canadian law;
• Information specific to the registration process;
• Information on how a victim may have input into the conditional release process;
• Information that may be provided to registered victims;
• The process of victims attending Parole Board hearings; and,
• Other resources available to victims of crime. 

As CSC and PBC work in collaboration with police based victim services within our region (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Northwest Territories and North-western Ontario), this session is an opportunity to receive information about the services provided to victims at the federal level.

Siblings of young murder victims in Canada: A nonissue?
Susan Tasker (Plenary; Thursday, 1:30-2:30 p.m.)
Children and youth are murdered in Canada and siblings are left behind in difficult circumstances. Yet, no study has looked at this traumatized and vulnerable group of children. Moreover, families are publically scrutinized by the media and investigated by the criminal justice systems and no empirical work exists on the effects on siblings. Taken together, no study appears to have investigated the long-term effects of a sibling’s murder. The matter appears to be a nonissue. Preliminary results of a Canadian study are presented and implications for practice and policy across counsellor services, the media, and criminal justice systems are discussed.

After the Murder of a Loved One: Support and Resources for Co-Victims
Susan Adair-Wolf & Gayle Hanscom (Session 3a; Thursday, 2:45-3:45 p.m.)
Historically, survivors (co-victims) are often the missed victim following a homicide.  Ironically – they are also often the most impacted and traumatized.   This workshop will examine the needs of those bereaved by homicide and the support available through Victim Services and other community resources.

The Mourning After: Recreating Meaning After Traumatic Loss - download
Jacqui Linder (Session 3b; Thursday, 2:45-3:45 p.m.)
This session will focus on the restoration of hope and meaning in the face of traumatic loss. It will explore the concept of the “assumptive world”, the shattering of that world in the face of trauma, and the personal journey of reconstruction to be untaken by those left behind.

 “Keeping it Real” Homicide Support in a Rural Community - download
Dave Zimmerman (Session 3c; Thursday, 2:45-3:45 p.m.)
The possibility of homicide in a rural area is very real, and no community is exempt.
Losing a close friend or family member through an act of violence is an extremely traumatic incomprehensible experience from which many people never recover.  Their world has changed forever. For the Victim Services Unit, working with survivors of homicide victims means supporting them through the most shattering experience of their lives and assisting them during the painful but necessary re-entry into meaningful life. Trained staff and volunteer advocates provide crisis assistance, updates on the status of the police investigation, information about the medical examiner, victims’ rights, referrals and support throughout the court proceedings.

The impact of a homicide is a very difficult experience which can have devastating effects on the family, friends, co-workers and for the community as a whole. This is especially true in rural and remote areas where communities tend to be close-knit and where necessary services may be difficult to access. In this presentation I invite participants to take a walk with me through this difficult journey, and learn about the realities of dealing with homicide in a rural community.

Meeting the needs of Victims of Crime – A Federal Perspective - download english | download french
Sue O’Sullivan (Plenary; Friday 8:30-9:30 a.m.)
A look at the issues and needs of victims of crime in Canada and the recommendations made for change.
The Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime was established in 2007 as an independent resource to promote the interests and concerns of victims at the federal level.
Ms. O’Sullivan will provide an overview the role of the Ombudsman’s Office for Victims of Crime, its mandate and three key priorities. She will also explore what some of the collective issues are and how every recommendation put forward has been integral in rebalancing the criminal justice system in support and consideration of victims of crime. Overall, this session examines the fundamental need for a shift in conversation to ensure that victims are not the “forgotten orphans of the criminal justice system”.
 

The Wolves at Your Door: Dealing with the Media After Crime
Jana Pruden (Session 4a; Friday, 9:45-10:45 a.m.)
In The Wolves At Your Door: Dealing With The Media After Crime, journalist and true crime author Jana G. Pruden will explore the sometimes-difficult relationship between the media and people who are impacted by violent crime, and look at ways grieving families can navigate media attention after a homicide.

Spiritual Perspectives on Self-Care and Healing - download
Rev. Bob Glasgow (Session 4b; Friday, 9:45-10:45 a.m.)
Violent deaths assault family members, caregivers, and the larger community. Not only is the sanctity of life betrayed but every other spiritual belief we hold about right and wrong. Therese Rando states that one’s whole assumptive world can be shattered.

Obviously the healing process is very complex and lengthy. This necessitates the need for self care: physically, emotionally, mentally, socially and spiritually. How do we process draining emotions such as fear and anger? How do we find the discipline to take care of our physical health? How do we protect our mental health under so much stress? How do we maintain some healthy friendships instead of cocooning? And spiritually how do we strengthen our spirit and restore a belief system that helps us cope when life turns bitter.

First responders and caregivers also need to heed the principles of self care to maintain there caring work to those who experience loss.

Police-Media Relations: reflections on policies, practices, hows and whys - download
Wayne Oakes, retired RCMP Media Relations Officer (Session 4c; Friday, 9:45-10:45 a.m.)
In this session I will share aspects of my many years of police-media relations experiences. This will provide attendees with insights and a better understanding of what many view as an overly guarded and restrictive process of police releasing information to the media and in turn to the public.

Various pieces of federal and provincial legislation address how law enforcement agencies able to gather, handle, store, share and dispose of information that comes into their possession. All to often media reports advise the public that, "police refused to comment". That context rarely ever, if ever, happens. Rather it is a matter of legal responsibility and protecting avenues of investigation that restricts police from providing the media with much of the information that,  'cannot be disclosed at that time'. This appearance of refusal to disclose is very frustrating to the public at large and even more so for families of loved ones who are victims of a homicide. Unfortunately there are very few avenues available to properly inform the public on how law enforcement manages the disclosure of information into the public domain.  

Voices of Victims: personal stories
VOH panel: Jane Orydzuk, Wayne Petherbridge & Denis Preece (Session 5a; Friday 11:00-12:00 p.m.)
Personal stories related by VOH victims about the journeys they've traveled on since the murder of their sons. Panel members will also talk about the importance and healing our support group has offered members over the years.

Emotional Impact on Police
Dan Jones, Scott Jones & Dr. Grey Pickering (Session 5b; Friday 11:00-12:00 p.m.)

Emotional Impact on Medical Professionals
Dr. Sam Stesko (Session 5c; Friday 11:00-12:00 p.m.)

May Love be What You Remember Most
Darcie Sims (Plenary Session; Friday, 2:15-3:15 p.m.)
When our loved one has been murdered, our world seems to fall apart.  Grief permeates everything and we fear we will never know peace, love or joy again.  It is our task and hope to somehow learn to reweave the FAMILY FABRIC, so torn by the death of our loved one.  Join Darcie D. Sims, Ph.D., CHT, CT, GMS, a bereaved parent and child, as she explores the journey through grief and identifies the choice points we encounter along the way.

Understanding Victims: A Journalist's View
Stevie Cameron (Plenary Session; Friday, 1:00-2:00 p.m.)

As a journalist Stevie Cameron has told the stories of countless people who have been the victims of fraudsters, crooked politicians, gangsters and murderers. She has interviewed a Mafia hit man and other criminals and seen, up close, their lack of compassion and remorse. These were people without a conscience; their only regret was getting caught.

But she has also told the stories of the victims. In On the Farm, her book about the missing women, who came from across Canada and who were killed by Robert Pickton, she was determined to tell the story of every single woman who disappeared during his reign of terror because she knew, when the trial judge decided to allow only six cases to go forward to trial, that the remaining families would feel their daughter or mother or sister would never receive justice. Cameron got to know most of these families as well as the victims services workers who tried to help them and the legal team that tried to make the justice system work.

She also saw the failures of the victims services programs as well as their successes and will share some of these stories with you.
 

Making Life Good Again
Garry Sawatzky (Plenary Session; Thursday, 8:45-9:45 a.m.)

TBA (Thoughts from the Bench)
Allan Wachowich (Session 1a; Thursday, 10:00-11:00 a.m.)

Prosecution: Roles and Perspectives
John Watson (Session 1b; Thursday, 10:00-11:00 a.m.)

Why is this case taking so long?
Once someone has been charged with a serious offence the prosecution of that accused may take years to conclude. This session will give an overview of the steps that occur during a prosecution and hopefully de-mystify why the case takes so long to reach a conclusion. What input or participation can a victim have at each stage will be explored.

What is the relationship between the prosecutor and the victim?
This topic will explore what the prosecutor can and can not provide to the victim including information, support and legal representation. As a victim what can you expect of the prosecutor? Why is he so friendly with the defence counsel? Does the relationship end with the conclusion of the prosecution?

The effects upon the prosecutor?
This topic will cover the personal reflections of the effect of prosecuting serious files upon a prosecutor and his family.
 

Understanding the Correctional Service of Canada: An overview of the stages of a federal inmates sentence and the role of Victims within the sentence
Kelly Hartle (Session 1c; Thursday, 10:00-11:00 a.m.)

• Description of Federal Correctional System roles and responsibilities
• Types of Federal Facilities and their purpose:  Maximum; Medium; Minimum security; Healing Lodges and Federally Sentenced Women facilities
• Stages of a federal sentence: Preliminary Assessment; Intake/Correctional Plan; Correctional Programs; Escorted Temporary Absences; Unescorted Temporary Absences; Work Release; Parole/Statutory Release
• Victim’s rights and information available during various stages of the federal sentence
• Question and Answer Period

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and the Fatality Inquiries Act
Dr. Anny Sauvageau (Session 2a, 11:15-12:15 p.m.)
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner certifies the cause and manner of deaths in accordance with the Fatality Inquiries Act. Its vision is to shed light on death, not only by certifying the cause and manner of death, but also by providing a forensic service, assisting and educating the Albertans in time of grief, and by maintaining and developing a center of excellence in forensic pathology and toxicology. Its mission is to provide accessible, responsive and client focused front line services of death investigation and death certification. The Office operates from two major sites, one in Edmonton and one in Calgary.

Defending an Accused In Homicides in Light of the Alleged Acts and Victim Impact
Mike Danyluik (Session 2b, 11:15-12:15 p.m.)

The session will explore how Defence Counsel must approach defending clients charged with homicides or other offences where death has been caused. Topics to be covered will include and not be limited to the following:

• Empathy for the deceased and their family – how to reconcile or deal with the natural reaction and the defence of your client
• When “bad character” of the deceased becomes an issue – how and when is it appropriate to advance
• Disdain for the Accused – how to reconcile or remove such emotion in defence of your client
• Family and Friends of the Deceased and Defence Counsel – Can we talk? Can we respect? Can we understand?
• Relationships – Crown/Defence, Defence/Police, Defence/Media - both generally and in relation to the victim and accused
• Understanding and respecting all of our roles in this process – Crown, Defence, Police, Victims Family, Accused and their Family, Media

Services to Victims:  Parole Board of Canada and Correctional Service Canada - download
Laurie Burnouf & Gary Sears (Session 2c; Thursday, 11:15-12:15 p.m.)
The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) and the Parole Board of Canada (PBC); provide joint services to victims of crime when the offender is serving a federal sentence (a sentence of two or more years).  Through a registration process, victims may obtain information specific to the offender’s movements within the federal correctional system and when an offender is on parole or supervision within the community. 

The presentation provides specific information on the services provided to victims of crime, and briefly outlines the following information:

• The definition of a victim as outlined in Canadian law;
• Information specific to the registration process;
• Information on how a victim may have input into the conditional release process;
• Information that may be provided to registered victims;
• The process of victims attending Parole Board hearings; and,
• Other resources available to victims of crime. 

As CSC and PBC work in collaboration with police based victim services within our region (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Northwest Territories and North-western Ontario), this session is an opportunity to receive information about the services provided to victims at the federal level.

Siblings of young murder victims in Canada: A nonissue?
Susan Tasker (Plenary; Thursday, 1:30-2:30 p.m.)
Children and youth are murdered in Canada and siblings are left behind in difficult circumstances. Yet, no study has looked at this traumatized and vulnerable group of children. Moreover, families are publically scrutinized by the media and investigated by the criminal justice systems and no empirical work exists on the effects on siblings. Taken together, no study appears to have investigated the long-term effects of a sibling’s murder. The matter appears to be a nonissue. Preliminary results of a Canadian study are presented and implications for practice and policy across counsellor services, the media, and criminal justice systems are discussed.

After the Murder of a Loved One: Support and Resources for Co-Victims
Susan Adair-Wolf & Gayle Hanscom (Session 3a; Thursday, 2:45-3:45 p.m.)
Historically, survivors (co-victims) are often the missed victim following a homicide.  Ironically – they are also often the most impacted and traumatized.   This workshop will examine the needs of those bereaved by homicide and the support available through Victim Services and other community resources.

The Mourning After: Recreating Meaning After Traumatic Loss - download
Jacqui Linder (Session 3b; Thursday, 2:45-3:45 p.m.)
This session will focus on the restoration of hope and meaning in the face of traumatic loss. It will explore the concept of the “assumptive world”, the shattering of that world in the face of trauma, and the personal journey of reconstruction to be untaken by those left behind.

 “Keeping it Real” Homicide Support in a Rural Community - download
Dave Zimmerman (Session 3c; Thursday, 2:45-3:45 p.m.)
The possibility of homicide in a rural area is very real, and no community is exempt.
Losing a close friend or family member through an act of violence is an extremely traumatic incomprehensible experience from which many people never recover.  Their world has changed forever. For the Victim Services Unit, working with survivors of homicide victims means supporting them through the most shattering experience of their lives and assisting them during the painful but necessary re-entry into meaningful life. Trained staff and volunteer advocates provide crisis assistance, updates on the status of the police investigation, information about the medical examiner, victims’ rights, referrals and support throughout the court proceedings.

The impact of a homicide is a very difficult experience which can have devastating effects on the family, friends, co-workers and for the community as a whole. This is especially true in rural and remote areas where communities tend to be close-knit and where necessary services may be difficult to access. In this presentation I invite participants to take a walk with me through this difficult journey, and learn about the realities of dealing with homicide in a rural community.

Meeting the needs of Victims of Crime – A Federal Perspective - download english | download french
Sue O’Sullivan (Plenary; Friday 8:30-9:30 a.m.)
A look at the issues and needs of victims of crime in Canada and the recommendations made for change.
The Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime was established in 2007 as an independent resource to promote the interests and concerns of victims at the federal level.
Ms. O’Sullivan will provide an overview the role of the Ombudsman’s Office for Victims of Crime, its mandate and three key priorities. She will also explore what some of the collective issues are and how every recommendation put forward has been integral in rebalancing the criminal justice system in support and consideration of victims of crime. Overall, this session examines the fundamental need for a shift in conversation to ensure that victims are not the “forgotten orphans of the criminal justice system”.
 

The Wolves at Your Door: Dealing with the Media After Crime
Jana Pruden (Session 4a; Friday, 9:45-10:45 a.m.)
In The Wolves At Your Door: Dealing With The Media After Crime, journalist and true crime author Jana G. Pruden will explore the sometimes-difficult relationship between the media and people who are impacted by violent crime, and look at ways grieving families can navigate media attention after a homicide.

Spiritual Perspectives on Self-Care and Healing - download
Rev. Bob Glasgow (Session 4b; Friday, 9:45-10:45 a.m.)
Violent deaths assault family members, caregivers, and the larger community. Not only is the sanctity of life betrayed but every other spiritual belief we hold about right and wrong. Therese Rando states that one’s whole assumptive world can be shattered.

Obviously the healing process is very complex and lengthy. This necessitates the need for self care: physically, emotionally, mentally, socially and spiritually. How do we process draining emotions such as fear and anger? How do we find the discipline to take care of our physical health? How do we protect our mental health under so much stress? How do we maintain some healthy friendships instead of cocooning? And spiritually how do we strengthen our spirit and restore a belief system that helps us cope when life turns bitter.

First responders and caregivers also need to heed the principles of self care to maintain there caring work to those who experience loss.

Police-Media Relations: reflections on policies, practices, hows and whys - download
Wayne Oakes, retired RCMP Media Relations Officer (Session 4c; Friday, 9:45-10:45 a.m.)
In this session I will share aspects of my many years of police-media relations experiences. This will provide attendees with insights and a better understanding of what many view as an overly guarded and restrictive process of police releasing information to the media and in turn to the public.

Various pieces of federal and provincial legislation address how law enforcement agencies able to gather, handle, store, share and dispose of information that comes into their possession. All to often media reports advise the public that, "police refused to comment". That context rarely ever, if ever, happens. Rather it is a matter of legal responsibility and protecting avenues of investigation that restricts police from providing the media with much of the information that,  'cannot be disclosed at that time'. This appearance of refusal to disclose is very frustrating to the public at large and even more so for families of loved ones who are victims of a homicide. Unfortunately there are very few avenues available to properly inform the public on how law enforcement manages the disclosure of information into the public domain.  

Voices of Victims: personal stories
VOH panel: Jane Orydzuk, Wayne Petherbridge & Denis Preece (Session 5a; Friday 11:00-12:00 p.m.)
Personal stories related by VOH victims about the journeys they've traveled on since the murder of their sons. Panel members will also talk about the importance and healing our support group has offered members over the years.

Emotional Impact on Police
Dan Jones, Scott Jones & Dr. Grey Pickering (Session 5b; Friday 11:00-12:00 p.m.)

Emotional Impact on Medical Professionals
Dr. Sam Stesko (Session 5c; Friday 11:00-12:00 p.m.)

May Love be What You Remember Most
Darcie Sims (Plenary Session; Friday, 2:15-3:15 p.m.)
When our loved one has been murdered, our world seems to fall apart.  Grief permeates everything and we fear we will never know peace, love or joy again.  It is our task and hope to somehow learn to reweave the FAMILY FABRIC, so torn by the death of our loved one.  Join Darcie D. Sims, Ph.D., CHT, CT, GMS, a bereaved parent and child, as she explores the journey through grief and identifies the choice points we encounter along the way.

Understanding Victims: A Journalist's View
Stevie Cameron (Plenary Session; Friday, 1:00-2:00 p.m.)

As a journalist Stevie Cameron has told the stories of countless people who have been the victims of fraudsters, crooked politicians, gangsters and murderers. She has interviewed a Mafia hit man and other criminals and seen, up close, their lack of compassion and remorse. These were people without a conscience; their only regret was getting caught.

But she has also told the stories of the victims. In On the Farm, her book about the missing women, who came from across Canada and who were killed by Robert Pickton, she was determined to tell the story of every single woman who disappeared during his reign of terror because she knew, when the trial judge decided to allow only six cases to go forward to trial, that the remaining families would feel their daughter or mother or sister would never receive justice. Cameron got to know most of these families as well as the victims services workers who tried to help them and the legal team that tried to make the justice system work.

She also saw the failures of the victims services programs as well as their successes and will share some of these stories with you.