Services
Advocacy
Legal Advocacy
Understanding and navigating the criminal justice system can be difficult under the best circumstances, but those experiencing domestic violence, sexual violence, and stalking can face additional hardships. Avalon has two legal advocates; they are not lawyers but they can help survivors to better navigate the legal system.
Avalon's legal advocates can:
- Share critical legal information
- Support and assist survivors navigating the legal system
- Assist with safety planning
- Help form connections with local legal clinics
- Accompany survivors to court proceedings
- Attend court to introduce Avalon’s services to those with domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking cases
Case Management
In addition to counseling and legal assistance, people who have experienced domestic violence, sexual violence, and stalking often need help from community resources to assist them in reaching their goals of safety and self-sufficiency. Avalon has several case managers who:
- Help survivors by providing information about and connecting them to community resources such as social services, educational resources, food pantries, etc.
- Provide survivors information on different life skills that will help them to move forward.
- Assist with goal planning and safety planning
Hospital Accompaniment
Hospitals can be a scary place, and many survivors feel shame and guilt for the violence in their lives and the resulting injuries. Avalon has a team of trained staff and volunteers on-call 24 hours a day and 7 days a week to go to local hospitals to provide advocacy and accompaniment services for survivors in need of medical attention. Hospital accompaniment advocates are there solely to support the survivor, to help walk the survivor through the process, and to make sure their needs are met and desires respected.
If you are interested in becoming a hospital accompaniment advocate, please submit a volunteer interest form. If you would like to request hospital accompaniment, please call our Helpline at (757) 258-5051.