How I became a Friend of Crime Prevention… In 15 Easy Steps!
The Friends of Crime Prevention network is a space for active members of the community to come together and discuss their ideas of crime prevention. The network aims to bridge individuals and organizations in the common goal of increasing social justice and action for a safe community in which we all live.
This may look great on paper but we really have to ask ourselves: Do these network meetings actually make a difference? Do people really contact one-to-one outside of the meeting rooms? Can talking actually make a difference? Is it more than just the free food, drinks, and give-aways!?
I have personally had the pleasure of becoming part of this network of proactive individuals and it has opened up a new world of action and community engagement! These meetings helped my career, allowed me to form a stronger professional network, and brought a number of important issues to my attention. Here is how I became involved as a Friend of Crime Prevention:
- Student attends the Wilfrid Laurier Masters of Social Work program
- Student meets professor
- Professor recommends Friends of Crime Prevention meeting
- Student attends meeting and mentions interest in preventing sexual violence
- Student is introduced to MAASV (Male Allies Against Sexual Violence) Public Education Facilitator. Meeting ends
- Student contacts MAASV facilitator for a meeting
- Student and facilitator host MAASV seminar at Laurier Faculty of Social Work
- Student begins to attend MAASV meetings
- Student receives placement with the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council
- Student writes quiz for intimate partner violence (IPV), among many other worthwhile projects
- Student invited to IPV meeting at Conestoga College
- Student forms network with college and MAASV
- Student’s resume is very happy
- Student writes about his path to becoming a Friend.
- Reader reads in astonishment and attends next Friends of Crime Prevention meeting!
Are you a Friend of Crime Prevention? Do you have a story to tell about how you got involved in crime prevention through social development? Add your story in the comments below.
Author: Ryan Maharaj, MSW Student with WRCPC. Ryan recently moved to Waterloo in pursuit of his Masters in Social Work at Laurier University. Placed at the Crime Prevention Council, he has been given the opportunity to explore the role of male allies in the movement against sexual and intimate partner violence. He firmly believes that with respect, support, compassion, and education we can prevent the occurrences of sexual violence in the next generation.