In North Bay, victim services people say the Nipissing District is seeing a large number of cases of family violence.
Outside City Hall Friday, people showed their support to the victim services staff, volunteers and community partners.
Victim services workers say they've been in contact with more than 1,000 people, both men and women, since the start of 2018, and a high number of those cases have been family-violence related.
Carolyn Couchie is the Executive Director of Victim Services of Nipissing District.
"It's actually the highest number of individuals, you know people and children, that we see as a direct result of family violence and intimate partner violence." said Couchie.
Volunteers say all they're trying to do is help give victims and survivors a voice.
Therese Boudreau is a victim services volunteer.
"When you're a victim, most of the time you think you're the only one that's going through this. But when you're talking to someone that knows you think 'oh, I might not be the only one that's going through this, because she knows what I’m talking about.’ So, it helps that victim tremendously to have that time with them when the occurrence has happened." said Boudreau.
Organizers say while northern communities are smaller they still have their crime issues.
"You know North Bay and the District of Nipissing is not immune to the types of crime you might see in any other area. We do see a lot of people in a year. This year, we have exceeded 1,000 victims of crime and tragic circumstances, so our service is necessary." said Couchie.
Victim services assists with a number of crime and tragic circumstances, working closely with police and other emergency professionals to ensure victims receive the help they need for the road to recovery.
