Bow Valley Victim Services Association is seeing a dramatic increase in the number of sudden deaths they respond to in the Bow Valley, particularly in Banff and Lake Louise where visitation continues to soar.
From April 2015 to April 2016, BVVSA had a total of 34 sudden death files, with 284 people assisted throughout the Bow Valley and Kananaskis. In Banff National Park specifically, there were 12 files and 132 people were helped.
BVVSA officials say it’s not surprising the number of sudden deaths they’ve responded to so far this year has increased by 60 per cent when visitation continues to rise, now at about four million a year in Banff.
“The number of visitors we’ve assisted these past years because of a sudden death in this area has doubled in Banff and has actually tripled in Lake Louise,” said Peter Quinn during a presentation to council Monday (Nov. 28).
“My hunch would be other people working in these areas have more demands on their services as well over the past year because of the increase in people visiting the area. It’s also clearly not just about volume, but it’s the type and nature.”
BVVSA’s team of two staff and about 40 volunteers help local individuals and visitors who have experienced injury, loss or trauma due to crime or traumatic events, providing information, referrals, assistance, community liaison and education.
From April 2015 to April 2016, BVVSA assisted 1,041 individuals in 407 different occurrences, up 25 per cent over the previous year. Banff accounted for almost half, with 445 individuals assisted in 207 separate occurrences, representing a 17 per cent increase.
“If you look at the overall five or six year trend, we’ve probably doubled the number of people we are helping,” said Quinn.
Mayor Karen Sorensen thanked BVVSA for 20 years of support to the community. On Monday, council confirmed its $23,400 grant to the group.
“There’s much appreciation for the work you do. We’re very grateful for that support,” she said.
BVVSA’s year-end report shows domestic abuse throughout the region was the most frequent occurrence responded to by the program in 2015-16, as has been the case in past operational years.
Over the past year, assistance was provided to 183 individuals directly affected by domestic abuse in 146 separate occurrences – a 20 per cent increase in occurrences over previous years.
Quinn said while it is difficult to attribute reasons for this increase, it may reflect increases in domestic violence in communities due to the economic downturn that occurred in Alberta over the previous one to two years.
“It’s hard to create a cause and effect, but if I was to make a guess, and looking at reports of other agencies in Calgary, it’s maybe a reflection of the economy,” said Quinn. “People are under stress, and that stress is reflected in some people in increasing violence.”
BVVSA’s operating budget for 2017-18 is $230,652, with funding expected from Banff, Canmore, MD of Bighorn, Improvement District 9, ID of Kananaskis, Alberta Health Services, Alberta Victims of Crime Fund, and Lafarge Canada.
BVVSA counts on donations for about 20 per cent of its budget, approximately $45,000, but donations are significantly down.
For the period April 16, 2016 to Oct. 31 2016, Quinn said donations are down 300 per cent.
“I think it’s related to the economy and also the Bow Valley community was extremely generous to the Fort McMurray fires and donations went to other causes this year,” he said.
