As advocates, counsellors, educators, health practitioners and
activists, we are committed to providing a leadership role in the
community by developing our practice around the following guiding
principles:
1. We believe that sexual violence is caused and maintained by
social and political imbalances of power. Therefore, we are committed
to working with our colleagues, clients, and community using a feminist
approach to invoke change and healing at both personal and societal
levels.
2. We believe in using a flexible, client-centred approach that
supports the inherent right to self-determination. As such, we support
clients by being non-judgemental, providing information about their
options and affirming their decisions.
3. We believe that healing is a process. Therefore, we offer a
variety of program options that reflect different needs and layers of
recovery work.
4. We are committed to a practice approach that promotes victim
empowerment and acknowledges that the person who commits the violence is
responsible for his behaviour.
5. We are committed to reducing barriers to accessing Avalon
Centre’s confidential services within our existing mandate and
resources.
6. We are committed to providing a leadership role in eliminating
barriers for access to justice.
7. We are committed to working with grass roots and women’s
organizations and other community partners on a local, provincial and
national level to improve social policy and promote social action.
8. We are committed to fostering an environment that supports
self-care and provides professional growth and learning opportunities
for staff, students and volunteers.
9. We are committed to being flexible and accountable by
developing policies, procedures and programs that are in keeping with
our mission statement, principles and resources.
10. We are committed to a women only staff and Board of Directors.
We acknowledge that sexual violence profoundly affects individuals,
families and our community. We ask every member of our community to
support us in assisting sexual assault/abuse survivors/victims, their
partners and non-offending parents to heal from the effects of sexual
violence. We challenge all people to commit to a culture free from
sexual violence and abuse.
*Reference:
Feminist Organization –An organization committed to eradicating
inequality and power imbalances between men and women and other
marginalized groups within the dominant culture.
Our logo
The Musasa tree, our symbol, provides shelter, nourishment,
and shade to all who depend on it for sustenance.
We ask our community to support us in helping women survivors, their partners and non-offending parents to heal from the effects of sexual violence. We challenge all people to commit to a culture free from sexual violence and abuse.
What Clients, Community Partners, and the Community have to say about Avalon Centre
- Avalon is an oasis of healing in a sea of ignorance about sexual abuse and it’s lasting effects
- Real healing happens here for all of us who have been shattered by sexual abuse, and simply want to feel whole again
- Avalon understands my ANGER
Avalon understands my GUILT
Avalon understands my HATE
- Thanks to Avalon, I’ve finally experienced that state of wholeness and I continue to heal at a very deep level
- The profound value of the service provided by the centre can be measured in the number of women who are gaining their lives back or learning a new way of life.
- I feel respected, heard, and un –judged but most importantly, I feel safe at Avalon Centre
- Thank you for caring and sharing
- The counselors at Avalon do not judge you, but allow you to vent and talk about your pain… We have a ways to go before our nightmare is over but I know that with the support I receive from Avalon Centre, I will SURVIVE this horrific ordeal
- …Had I not gotten the opportunity to have (SANE nurses) at my side I very well would not have handled the whole experience as well as I have. You are so needed in this field of work. Thank you for taking the time to be involved. You’re angels in a time of need and understanding
- I want to acknowledge you both for your service, commitment and compassion, also dedication
- You calm me down and keep my spirits up
- Avalon has been a refuge in my healing process, a place that has nurture my courage and resilience, and a place where the shame and secrets could evolve into insight and healing. Avalon helped me find a voice for my experience with sexual abuse, to give it words and to broaden my perspective on what it means to address these things in my community. For survivors of sexual violence. Avalon may be the only place where they can speak their truth without fear of repercussions, and liberate themselves from secrecy and shame for the first time.
- Having a place where people really and truly understand what women who have been sexually assaulted or abuse go through is a gift to all society, because it gives people like me a place to understand ourselves, come to terms with our experiences and hopefully heal.
- I can say that without Avalon… I would probably not be here today. I cannot see how I could have made it this far on my journey without them. I hope their work continues – until the day that we don’t need it anymore.
- Thank you for existing. Thank you for sharing with us your expertise. You are knowledgeable
- Avalon is sacred to me, a place like no other… I do not know where I would be without having Avalon in my life…it was my saving grace
- I appreciate all that you are doing for me and for others that have gone through this
- Thank you for your knowledge and time, also thanks to all you do for women and children in crisis of sexual assault
- I applaud the community for having a program in place like this (SANE Program)! I hope it will always be available. It’s been awesome to have during such a traumatic time!
- To participate in a program with other women who have lived through sexual abuse was like feeling my heart beat for the first time in many years
- Thanks for everything and for keeping me up-dated. Who said that there weren't angels? (what ever the outcome!).
- To participate in a program with other women who have lived through sexual abuse is like feeling my heart beat for the first time in many years
- Avalon women are a provincial treasure. Thank you for your incredible commitment to doing what you do well.
