Accountability
Concerns regarding Avalon Centre services can be addressed to the Supervisor of the Legal Support and Advocacy Program. All complaints will be addressed according to agency policies.

Legal Support and advocacy Program
The Legal Support and Advocacy Worker provides information and support to sexually assaulted women aged 16 years and older, non-offending parents, survivors of historical sexual abuse, and advocates and makes referrals on their behalf. The focus is to present options and emotionally support victims/survivors though the criminal justice system, the police process, and medical care so that clients can make informed decisions.

Roles and Responsibilities
• support sexually assaulted women, non-offending parents, and survivors of
historical sexual abuse as they navigate the criminal justice system
• assist individuals, the general public, professionals and other service providers to
improve their knowledge of the legal system and access to it
• monitor and track sexual assault court cases in order to maintain current
knowledge of sexual assault cases, issues and trends, so that we are able to
identify areas where improvement/change is needed
• collaborative approach with police, Crown, and community agencies
• provide individual advocacy to women as needed
• accept referrals at any stage before or during the Criminal Justice Process

Legal Support Advocate will:
• provide justice related support to sexually assaulted women aged 16 years and
older, non-offending parents of children who have been sexually
abused/assaulted, and survivors of historical sexual abuse
• provide emotional support to victims/survivors who are trying to make informed
decisions about their options after sexual assault
• provide general public information regarding medical care, the SANE Program,
and in helping women to prepare for forensic evidence collection
• provide information about the process of reporting to police and making a police
statement
• provide court preparation that includes an explanation of the general court
process, titles and roles of people in court, legal terminology, and prepare the
victim/survivor for the emotional trauma that many people experience when
testifying in sexual assault hearings/trials
• provide court accompaniment and debriefing
• provide support from initial contact through post verdict where possible
• individual and systemic advocacy
• accompany victim/survivor for court related meetings such as Police, Crown, or
advocacy related meetings
• provide accompaniment to the police station or to court during office hours
• encourage victim/survivor to identify strengths and coping strategies
• encourage client to develop a self-care plan, or a safety plan if appropriate
• encourage victim/survivor to build a support system, this may include counselling
• provide information and referrals within Avalon Centre and in the community
• assists victims/survivors in accessing legal related services from other agencies,
i.e. Police, Victim Services, and Crown etc.