HAWKESBURY, September 2, 2025 – In response to a significant increase in service requests related to road accidents, Victim Services Prescott-Russell (SVPRVS) is intensifying its efforts, in collaboration with several community partners, to promote road safety and support families affected by tragic events.

"Patience on the Road": A Billboard Campaign for Behaviour Change

Under the theme "Patience," a new awareness campaign was launched this summer to address risky behaviors such as distraction and impatience behind the wheel, major factors contributing to the rise in accidents on Highway 17, which runs through the United Counties of Prescott and Russell. Four targeted billboards have been installed in strategic locations to encourage drivers to:

• Reduce their speed,
• Delay sending text messages,
• Show courtesy,
• Respect traffic signs.

“We all need to do our part in ensuring Road Safety, what are you doing as a driver?  The signs are meant to remind us to slow down, have patience with ourselves and others so we can all reach our destinations safely. The “Big Four” causal factors in deaths and injuries on our highways, trails and waterways are: aggressive driving, inattentive driving, impaired driving, and lack of occupant restraints.” Said Inspector Josée Sabourin of the Russell County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police. 

This initiative is made possible thanks to the Road Safety Community Partnership Program, the Ontario Provincial Police, the Prescott-Russell Regional Road Safety Action Committee (CARS-PR), and the United Counties of Prescott and Russell.

Emergency Car Seat Replacement Program

SVPRVS is also implementing a new emergency car seat replacement program for children, in response to critical situations where families are left without a safe way to transport their children after an accident or a fire.

In a rural context, where the lack of public transportation makes travel difficult, this service becomes essential, especially outside of regular business hours.“This program is a great solution to a problem we have encountered several times in recent years in L’Orignal. During a collision, a child car seat becomes unusable. If, fortunately, the passengers do not sustain any injuries and do not require ambulance transport, safe transportation for young children becomes very difficult, since no child car seats are available through fire or police services. The fact that SVPRVS will now have child car seats available will allow us to arrange safe transportation for children much more easily,” says François Bellemare, L’Orignal Firefighters Association, a donor organization to this program.

With support available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the SVPRVS team now enables emergency services to request a new car seat for families in crisis situations. The program will launch in October 2025, in partnership with first responders and certified technicians from the Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada (CPSAC).

Free Training and Clinic: Child Passenger Safety

To support this initiative, SVPRVS will also offer:

• A certification training to become a Child Passenger Safety Technician;
• A free car seat installation clinic, where certified experts will be available to:
  
  • Inform parents about laws and best practices,
  • Check, adjust, and properly install car seats according to the child’s age and weight.

The second edition of the SVPRVS car seat clinic, in collaboration with the Town of Hawkesbury, the Hawkesbury Fire Department, CPSAC, and the OPP, will take place on Saturday, September 27, from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM at the Hawkesbury Fire Station, located at 780 Spence Avenue, Hawkesbury. To make an appointment, visit our website at svsprescottrussell.ca. 

These programs rely entirely on the generosity of the community and on one-time funding. Their continuity and growth depend directly on the support of partners, donors, and everyone who wishes to contribute to their impact. To make a donation, please visit our website at svsprescottrussell.ca. 

Useful Links

Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada : https://www.cpsac.org/

Road Safety Community Partnership Program Guide : https://forms.mgcs.gov.on.ca/en/dataset/on00498 

L’Orignal, May 15, 2025 – In recognition of Victims and Survivors of Crime Week, held from May 11 to 17, 2025, Victim Services Prescott-Russell (SVPRVS) hosted a 5 à 7 appreciation event on May 15 at Riverest in L’Orignal, to honour the contributions of its dedicated volunteers and community partners.

Under the theme "The Power of Collaboration," the evening highlighted the dedication of individuals and organizations who have helped strengthen services for victims of crime and tragic circumstances throughout the past year.

During the event, SVPRVS recognized the following individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions:

• Isabelle Crête, for her collaboration, kindness, and dedicated volunteer work in promoting the safety of child passengers

• Sophie Brière, of Maison Interlude House, for her continued partnership supporting victims of human trafficking.

• Hawkesbury Central Food Bank, for their vital support and collaboration to the Warming centre.

• A/Insp. Dominic Lalonde, of the Ontario Provincial Police, for his important contribution to the Board of Directors and his ongoing collaboration in support of victims and survivors of criminal acts.

• Brenda Dhillon, of Genvis, for her tireless dedication and unrelenting commitment to support victims and survivors of crime in Prescott-Russell.

In a touching moment during the evening, the SVPRVS team and Board of Directors surprised Executive Director Marie Lemay with a special recognition, acknowledging her exceptional leadership, dedication, and the lasting impact she has made with Victim Services Prescott-Russell. Her vision and tireless efforts have shaped the organization into the vital community resource it is today.

“We are so grateful to have such dedicated partners and volunteers. Their support is truly at the heart of our mission,” said Marie Lemay, Executive Director of SVPRVS. “This event is our way of saying thank you and recognizing the essential role they play.”

This event was made possible thanks to a grant from the Victims Fund through Justice Canada.

Victims and Survivors of Crime Week aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by victims of crime and about the services, laws, and assistance available to support them and their families.

HAWKESBURY, May 27, 2024 – The Board of Directors of Prescott-Russell Victim Services (SVPRVS) is proud to receive the 2023–2024 Attorney General’s Victim Services Award of Distinction, which recognizes the dedication and success of individuals and organizations who go above and beyond to support victims of crime and raise public awareness of victim-related issues in Ontario.

Prescott-Russell Victim Services is a non-profit, community-based charitable organization that provides support services and immediate assistance to victims of crime and tragic circumstances in Prescott-Russell. The organization also guides vulnerable individuals facing social challenges—such as homelessness and food insecurity—toward appropriate local resources and government programs tailored to their situation.

“Our dedicated staff and volunteers go far beyond the call of duty to support victims of crime and tragic events, focusing on building community capacity and fostering inter-agency collaboration,” said Marie Lemay, Executive Director of SVPRVS. “By innovating our mission, we aim to continue developing initiatives that improve access to appropriate and meaningful services for victims made vulnerable by criminal acts.”

“It is with great pride that the Board of Directors of Prescott-Russell Victim Services accepts this award,” said Marie-Josée Joly, Chair of the Board. “We are truly grateful for the collaboration of our partners—our community initiatives wouldn’t be possible without them!”

SVPRVS supports police and emergency services in addressing the immediate and short-term needs of individuals who have been affected by criminal acts or tragic circumstances. Services are free of charge and available 24 hours a day to anyone whose life has been impacted by trauma, tragedy, or disaster—regardless of its severity.

For more information about the Victim Services Awards of Distinction, visit:
https://www.ontario.ca/fr/page/prix-de-distinction-pour-les-services-aux-victimes

List of award recipients:
https://news.ontario.ca/fr/backgrounder/1004614/laureats-des-prix-de-distinction-pour-les-services-aux-victimes-de-2023-2024