Referrals to victim services

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• Proactive referrals
• Personal information
• More information

Proactive referrals

The RCMP will always seek consent for a referral to victim services from the victim themselves. But there are specific situations where a proactive referral can be made, including:

• when a victim is not in the position to provide informed consent as a result of:
  • trauma
  • the nature of the crime they have suffered
  • their current state (that is if they are unconscious or under the influence of alcohol or drugs)
• when police believe that a person has suffered, or is at risk of suffering, physical or emotional harm or economic loss as a result of a crime

In these situations, RCMP officers assess whether a proactive referral would be in the victim's best interest. They must ensure a balance between protecting a victim's privacy and their right to receive these services.

If the victim chooses not to use the available supports, no further contact will be made. Should the victim change their mind, the RCMP will encourage them to contact victim services.

Personal information

The RCMP can share information about the victim with victim services if the victim consents to the information being shared through a referral.

If the RCMP is making a proactive referral the information that can be shared with victim services without the victim's consent is limited to information necessary to contact the victim while ensuring the safety of both the victim and victim services worker.

This information includes, but is not limited to, the victim's:

• name
• address
• telephone number
• gender
• age
• language preference

In serious incidents, they may also provide:

• the name and location of the accused (if known)
• a brief summary of the circumstances of the incident
• information such as the presence of drugs, alcohol or firearms

More information