In the third and final part of our series on victims of sex abuse, the News talks to members of the RCMPs Specialized Victims Team.
At the end of the day, when we leave our place of work, many of us succeed in shutting off, forgetting whatever troubles have darkened our door.
Not everyone, however, has that luxury.
Dustine Rodier the corporal in charge of Richmond RCMPs Specialized Victims Team (SVT) is one such person.
Cpl. Rodier delves into the disturbing world of child sex abuse on a daily basis.
Rodier, as part of a four-strong team working in the Serious Crime Section, only navigates through the most serious or complicated abuse cases.
Its a painful path that, by its very nature, causes the people who travel on it to pick up some emotional baggage along the way.
Absolutely, it affects me. I would be lying if I said it didnt, admitted Rodier, who deals with infant victims all the way up to adults.
I dont think you can do this job without being affected. Were all very passionate about what we do, thats why we do it.
If we can stop a child from being sexually abused and get them out of that environment, thats what gets us through it. There are one or two cases that always stick with you, however.
Of course, the effect on people like Rodier pales in comparison to the emotional scars imprinted on the minds of the victims during their trauma.
After all, Rodier and her team are professionals, expertly trained to deal with the often horrific circumstances surrounding the case. And, as she explained, there is a small army of highly qualified support agencies, ready and waiting to back them up.
For the victims, there is also support.
Were trained to deal with this, this is what we do. We have victim services to help us as well.
We have people who will stay with the victim right the way through the investigation.
The police also rely on specialists who are trained in helping people and children in these situations.
For people who suspect child sex abuse has taken place, Rodier understands their hesitance in coming forward not least the effect on the child from the investigation process.
However, the safety of the child is the SVTs number one priority and its members are very sensitive to the needs of the victim.
We have been trained, all of our team, in the child interview technique, said Rodier.
With children, you have to be very careful and not be leading them with information. We have to ask very open questions.
We also want to get information from the child while, at the same time, minimizing the impact.
Its for that reason that Rodier would encourage people, victims or witnesses, to come forward and get help for themselves or the child in question.
In child sex abuse cases, the injuries are not always physical and not always obvious. But that doesnt mean it didnt happen, Rodier said.
Abuse can have a profound effect on peoples lives and were very cognizant of that. We recognize that it takes a lot of courage for people to come forward and were sensitive to that.
Being sexually abused is not their fault. Thats what were here for; to help.
The abuse inside a home doesnt always take a sexual form, however.
Domestic violence is also part of the SVTs remit and Cpl. Robin Waldron the domestic violence co-coordinator in the team is the man who provides a co-ordinated response to domestic violence cases.
Whenever an officer is designated to a crime, Im sent a report, which I read and begin to assess the risk factors and ensure a thorough investigation has taken place, Waldron said.
I look to see if there is alcohol and drug addiction; specific behaviours, which are more indicative than predictive.
When interviewing victims, there is a guide of sorts to follow, Waldron said.
Is there an escalation, a pattern of behaviour, such as strangling, choking, biting, stalking? he said.
Is there a suspect history, such as domestic violence, mental issues, employment difficulties? Is there someone talking about killing themselves all the time?
Weapons and firearms. If there are guns in the house, thats obviously a risk.
Such as is the case with child sex abuse cases, there is a host of support waiting to prop up a victim should they come forward.
We have a police-based victim services unit. It provides a lot of secondary care, while we deal with the immediate danger, said Waldron.
Victim services can put them in residences and come up with a safety plan, while Family Services of Greater Vancouver provide community-based care.
The introduction of the community-based and police-based services has led to officers being more apt at getting the victims the resources they need.
The introduction of the risk factors and the co-ordination of services is a great improvement on the past, according to Waldron. Policing, however, hasnt changed.
We still investigate the allegation the same way, he said.
And I wouldnt say were taking these cases more seriously than before. There are just more checks and balances in place than there was before.
If you or someone you know is the victim of sexual or domestic abuse and its not a life or death scenario; call Richmond RCMP on 604 278 1212. If its an emergency, then call 911.
If you or someone you know is the victim of sexual or domestic abuse and its not a life or death scenario; call Richmond RCMP on 604 278 1212. If its an emergency, then call 911.
