Faith Community Starter Kit

In danger right now? Call 911
Need confidential help? VictimLink BC: 1-800-563-0808 — 24/7, 240+ languages

For Faith Leaders and Communities

Faith communities are often the first place people turn when facing extortion. This kit gives you practical tools to respond with care, protect confidentiality, and connect people to professional help.

1. The First Conversation Script

When someone tells you they are being threatened, your response in the first minute matters enormously.

✅ Say This

“Thank you for trusting me. I believe you. This is not your fault — you are being targeted by criminals. You are not alone, and there is help. Let’s slow down and get you safe support.”

❌ Don’t Say This

• “What did you do?” (implies blame)
• “Did you pay?” (irrelevant to their need for support)
• “You should have been more careful” (shame)
• “Don’t tell anyone else” (isolation helps extortionists)
• “I’ll handle this myself” (vigilantism)
• “Let’s find out who they are” (investigation is for police)

Key Principles

2. Safety Boundary Checklist

As a faith leader or community volunteer, you must NOT:

• Collect victim names, addresses, or case details in community records
• Attempt to identify or locate suspects
• Confront suspects or their associates
• Share victim information with other community members without consent
• Pressure victims to report to police before they are ready
• Advise on legal or immigration matters (unless you are qualified)
• Share unverified rumours about who is involved
• Organize community patrols or surveillance

Why: These actions can endanger victims, compromise police investigations, expose you to legal liability, and destroy community trust.

3. What You CAN Do

Immediate Support

• Listen without judgment
• Validate their fear and their courage in speaking up
• Offer a private space to talk
• Ask what they need, don’t assume
• Connect them to victim services (phone, chat, in-person)

Practical Help

• Accompany them to police or victim services if they request it
• Help them preserve evidence (screenshots, recordings) securely
• Provide a safe phone or computer if theirs is compromised
• Connect them to legal aid or immigration support if relevant
• Help them think through safety planning (who to tell, where to go)

Community-Level Actions

• Educate your community about extortion (without naming victims)
• Display emergency numbers prominently
• Invite victim services or police to speak (general education, not specific cases)
• Create a culture where people feel safe to ask for help

4. Emergency Contact Card for Your Space

Print and display this in your prayer hall, community centre, and offices:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  BEING THREATENED? YOU ARE NOT ALONE.   │
│                                         │
│  📞 911 — Immediate danger              │
│  📞 1-800-563-0808 — VictimLink 24/7    │
│       (240+ languages)                  │
│  📞 1-800-222-8477 — Crime Stoppers     │
│       (Anonymous)                       │
│                                         │
│  This is a safe space. We believe you.  │
│  We will not judge. We will help.       │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘

Download printable version →

5. Meeting Agenda: Community Safety Session

Use this 60-minute format for a community education session:

Safety note: Do not discuss specific cases or name victims in the open session. Offer private conversations afterward for anyone who needs to talk.

6. Referral Sheet

Keep this list accessible. Know who to call for what:

7. Confidentiality Agreement Template

If your community has volunteers who support victims, have them sign:

Confidentiality Pledge> I understand that community members who disclose extortion are in a vulnerable position. I pledge to:

• Keep their identity and story confidential
• Not share information with other community members without explicit consent
• Not investigate, confront, or attempt to identify suspects
• Refer victims to professional services (police, victim services, legal aid)> - Report my own limitations and seek guidance when unsure

Signed: _______ Date: _______

8. Signs Someone in Your Community May Be Targeted

Watch for — but do not confront or gossip about:

• Sudden anxiety, withdrawal, or changes in behaviour
• Unexplained financial requests or desperation for money
• Reluctance to use their phone or computer
• Fear of being seen in public or at community events
• Mentioning threats to family back home
• Unusual stress about immigration status or employment

If you observe these signs: Create opportunities for private conversation. Don’t accuse or interrogate.

9. Printable Poster for Your Space

Download poster template (PDF) → (Coming soon — contact us for early access)

Text for your own poster:

THIS IS A SAFE SPACE

If you are being threatened or extorted:
• You will not be judged
• You will be believed
• Your privacy will be respected
• We will connect you to help

You are the victim of a crime.
That is not your fault.

Help is available 24/7:
VictimLink 1-800-563-0808
(240+ languages including Punjabi, Hindi, French)

10. Annual Review Checklist

Once per year, review:

• Emergency numbers are current and displayed prominently
• Volunteers have signed confidentiality pledges
• Community has received extortion education in the past year
• Relationship with local police victim services is active
• Referral contacts are current and responsive
• No complaints about breaches of confidentiality
• Community feels safe asking for help (informal check)

Remember

Your role is support, not solution. You are not expected to stop the extortionist, fix immigration status, or provide legal advice. Your job is to:

1. Believe the person
2. Connect them to professionals
3. Protect their confidentiality
4. Support them through the process

That is enough. That is everything.

Last updated: June 12, 2026 Sources: VictimLink BC, Surrey Police, Legal Aid BC, Community Advisory Group on Extortion For questions or to request a presentation: info@stop-extortion.ca