Victim Services Specialist (VSS) Research
The main purpose of VSS (Victim Services Specialist) is to seek justice for victims of crime by
working with prosecutors and investigators. They assist victims by ensuring that they are
supported and informed throughout all stages including, helping them through legal documents,
navigating them through cases, helping them with any and all sorts of needs, whether that may
be a physical or mental/emotional need, and guiding them in court to deliver their impact
statement.1 Victim Services Specialists are assigned many duties, one of them being to provide
trauma intervention services using a trauma-informed approach to victims of crime, keeping up
to date with legislative and legal updates while also providing support to victims and families
impacted by legislative changes would also be one of the main responsibilities of a VSS.2 Other
main duties include maintaining assigned caseload (preparing confidential case files, keeping
detailed case notes etc.) while updating victim when necessary, keeping victims/witnesses
informed in accordance with legislation and organizational policies and procedure, providing
information to victims concerning the procedures of the criminal justice system, advocating on
behalf of clients to help ensure that all victims are treated respectfully (with dignity, courtesy,
sensitivity etc.) as well as ensuring that their rights are protected.3 In addition to serving as
liaison to collateral agencies (law enforcement, courts, social etc.) to provide crisis intervention
services for victims of crime, responding to client needs and facilitate client services (safety
planning, crime scene cleanup, shelter, document replacement, property repair etc.), and
providing counseling, and case management services.4 Lastly, helping victims to reduce trauma,
supplying advocacy, and helping with crisis intervention, emotional support, and as well as
during a victim’s engagement with the police, all of which are main responsibilities of a VSS.5
While there is no training required, the education needed to pursue a career pathway of a VSS
includes a bachelor’s degree in the field of psychology, sociology, social welfare, human
services, and criminal law from an accredited college or university.6 Some qualifications required
are; G1 driver’s license, knowledge of the laws and procedures of criminal justice agencies,
One year of paid or unpaid experience (case management, counseling, advising clients of
available programs), and the ability to lead and direct the work of volunteer staff.7 The average
salary of a Victim Services Specialist in Canada differs depending on experience and
expertise. Canada’s lowest VSS salary averages to around $49,658, its median salary
at $62,186, and its highest salary at $75,077.8 VSS work at field offices and District
1
Riverside County District Attorney’s office, ‘’What is a Victim Service Specialist.’’ Youtube,
Youtube, 16 Dec. 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tfeFbp_FNM
2
Mary Miller, ‘’Job opportunities.’’ Rivco.org, 2 Oct. 2022,
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/riverside/jobs/3725667/victim-services-specialist-indio
-riverside?keywords=victim&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs
3
Ibid
4
Ibid
5
Ibid
6
Ibid
7
Ibid
8
‘’Victim Services Salary in Canada - Average Salary.’’ Talent, 3 Oct. 2022,
https://ca.talent.com/salary?job=victim+services#:~:text=How%20much%20does%20a%20Victi
The main purpose of VSS (Victim Services Specialist) is to seek justice for victims of crime by
working with prosecutors and investigators. They assist victims by ensuring that they are
supported and informed throughout all stages including, helping them through legal documents,
navigating them through cases, helping them with any and all sorts of needs, whether that may
be a physical or mental/emotional need, and guiding them in court to deliver their impact
statement.1 Victim Services Specialists are assigned many duties, one of them being to provide
trauma intervention services using a trauma-informed approach to victims of crime, keeping up
to date with legislative and legal updates while also providing support to victims and families
impacted by legislative changes would also be one of the main responsibilities of a VSS.2 Other
main duties include maintaining assigned caseload (preparing confidential case files, keeping
detailed case notes etc.) while updating victim when necessary, keeping victims/witnesses
informed in accordance with legislation and organizational policies and procedure, providing
information to victims concerning the procedures of the criminal justice system, advocating on
behalf of clients to help ensure that all victims are treated respectfully (with dignity, courtesy,
sensitivity etc.) as well as ensuring that their rights are protected.3 In addition to serving as
liaison to collateral agencies (law enforcement, courts, social etc.) to provide crisis intervention
services for victims of crime, responding to client needs and facilitate client services (safety
planning, crime scene cleanup, shelter, document replacement, property repair etc.), and
providing counseling, and case management services.4 Lastly, helping victims to reduce trauma,
supplying advocacy, and helping with crisis intervention, emotional support, and as well as
during a victim’s engagement with the police, all of which are main responsibilities of a VSS.5
While there is no training required, the education needed to pursue a career pathway of a VSS
includes a bachelor’s degree in the field of psychology, sociology, social welfare, human
services, and criminal law from an accredited college or university.6 Some qualifications required
are; G1 driver’s license, knowledge of the laws and procedures of criminal justice agencies,
One year of paid or unpaid experience (case management, counseling, advising clients of
available programs), and the ability to lead and direct the work of volunteer staff.7 The average
salary of a Victim Services Specialist in Canada differs depending on experience and
expertise. Canada’s lowest VSS salary averages to around $49,658, its median salary
at $62,186, and its highest salary at $75,077.8 VSS work at field offices and District
1
Riverside County District Attorney’s office, ‘’What is a Victim Service Specialist.’’ Youtube,
Youtube, 16 Dec. 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tfeFbp_FNM
2
Mary Miller, ‘’Job opportunities.’’ Rivco.org, 2 Oct. 2022,
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/riverside/jobs/3725667/victim-services-specialist-indio
-riverside?keywords=victim&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs
3
Ibid
4
Ibid
5
Ibid
6
Ibid
7
Ibid
8
‘’Victim Services Salary in Canada - Average Salary.’’ Talent, 3 Oct. 2022,
https://ca.talent.com/salary?job=victim+services#:~:text=How%20much%20does%20a%20Victi
