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Victim Assistance Community-based Victim Assistance Program Our Community-Based Victim Assistance Program is funded by the Minister of Public Safety and the Solicitor General. We provide support for people who have been victimized in the following circumstances:
All matters are confidential. We will not discuss your situation with anyone else without your knowledge and permission. (We are required by law to report any disclosures of child abuse and neglect). Violence Against Women in Relationships Our victim services are offered to women, men and children who have experienced the violent crimes outlined above. It is important to note however, that the most frequent victims of such crimes are female and much of our support is provided due to violence against women in relationships. What support services are offered?
If a crime of violence is recent but you are reluctant to go to the police, we can help by listening to your story and help you to understand how the crime may have affected you. Often this can help to ease the initial shock and trauma of the event. It is up to you to decide when and if you want to make a report to the police. Making a statement to the police is often one of the most difficult steps for a victim to take. Many are anxious about how the police will respond. We are able to go with you to provide emotional support and advocate for unbiased, sensitive treatment during the interview. (Police-based victim assistance workers are also available to do this initial support work). Practical assistance If a police report has been made, we will help you keep in touch with the police investigation to keep track of what will happen next. We can help you to fill out an Application for Crime Victim Assistance, which is available through the provincial government to pay for counseling and/or certain kinds of costs that have resulted from the assault. We can help you decide what kind of counseling support would be most helpful to you and provide referrals to services available in the community. We can help you put together your Victim Impact Statement. This is a description that you may want to give to the police, or crown counsel or the Crime Victim Assistance Program to let them know in what ways (physical, emotional and financial) you have been affected by the situation. This is often not an easy thing to think about or talk about. We can help you do this in a safe, supportive way until you find the right words to describe your own experience. We help you to develop a safety plan, usually with the support of the police, which makes sure that you feel safe from any kind of contact with the person who has harmed you. If charges are laid we can:
If you have been a victim of relationship violence, including physical assault, sexual assault or emotional abuse, and have to go to family court, you may be eligible for Legal Aid, especially when custody and access issues are involved. We can go with you to meet with the Legal Aid referring lawyer to help you explain your situation. We can also meet with you and the lawyer you have chosen to help you. Going to court can often be a confusing or intimidating experience for many people. We are able to explain the court process to you ahead of time and prepare you for what to expect. We can also help you clarify the issues that are important for you and what you think is in the best interests of your children. Even if you have a lawyer, it is important that you are clear about what is happening for you and your children, especially if there are safety issues involved. We provide information about the court process but we do not give legal advice. That is your lawyer’s role and responsibility. Remember that whether you have a lawyer or are representing yourself, we can accompany you to court for emotional support and provide clarification about the process. If you are not eligible for Legal Aid and cannot afford to hire a lawyer yet need to appear in Provincial Family Court or in Provincial Supreme Court, you may be able to make certain kinds of applications to the court involving custody and access issues, including restraining orders for yourself or your children and putting together clear, concise affidavits. |
© 2007 The Advocacy Centre unless otherwise noted.
