When Meghan Smart hears her teenage son laughing with his friends, it’s a little reminder of life before the attack. She calls this laughter “the happiest part” for her.

Smart’s 15-year-old son was attacked with a machete in August, causing serious injuries – from head to toe – from which he is still recovering today. The teenager is working in physiotherapy to regain feeling in his hands and walk again.

“He’s definitely able to get some mobility back in his hands,” Smart said.

The boy was in surgery for 15 hours after the attack, with Smart calling those hours difficult and emotional.

As many victim services programs across the country continue to struggle to meet the needs of families affected by crime, Smart calls for improvements so that families can receive the support they need throughout the recovery process. healing.

“Yes, my son is the main victim, but our whole family has been affected by it,” Smart said.

The single mother of three says she still sees significant gaps in support since August, including for medical and travel costs, as well as salary coverage for caregivers.

“Yes, they made some for us,” she said. “But there’s so much more if they look at it, the support they could and should give to families.”

Smart says the family was already afloat before the attack, meaning they are now struggling to meet their expenses without help. That’s why she took matters into her own hands.

“The most important thing I had for my family was our GoFundMe page“, she said.

Gaps in care for families affected by crime are not limited to Manitoba; Families across Canada exhibit disparities across jurisdictions.

Earlier this month, The Alberta Victim Services Model has been revised in hopes of improving consistency in rural communities. But advocates say the changes have only prevented more families from getting the support they need.

“Maybe talk to the families and the victims themselves and ask,” Smart said. “Find out where those gaps are. Because I’m sure people are expressing disappointment.

“Communicate with these victims. Sometimes that’s all we need to hear is that they are listening, that they understand, and that they can do something.