WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO:

Established in 1983, Avalon Centre is the only sexual assault centre in
the Halifax Regional Municipality. We are a registered, not-for-profit,
community based, charitable organization. We gratefully received
funding from The NS Department of Community Services, The NS
Department of Health, The Law Foundation of Nova Scotia, and from
special projects and private donations.

Vision Statement:
The Avalon Sexual Assault Centre is a feminist organization working to
eliminate sexual assault/abuse, and to change the current socio-political
culture that fosters sexism, social injustice and other forms of
oppression.

Mission Statement:
To provide services for those affected by sexual violence, with primary
emphasis on support, education, counselling and leadership/advocacy
services for women.

Guiding Principles
As advocates, counselors, 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-centered approach that supports
the inherent right to self-determination. As such, we support clients by
being non-judgmental, 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.

What We Do and What We Do Not Do

Direct Services Provided By
Avalon Include:
• Individual Counseling
• Support/Therapy Groups
• Court Support
• Advocacy/Support/Referral
• After Hours Crisis Line
• Community Education
• Professional Development
• Partnerships and consultations with other
agencies and community groups
• Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)
Program

Avalon’s Services Are:
• For women 16 years of age and older
• For non-offending parents, partners and
family members of women and children
who have experienced sexual violence
• Free of charge; a fee for service is
charged for professional development
and there is a small fee for group participation
(used for refreshments)
• Provided by professional staff
Confidential and non-judgmental
Avalon Centre Does Not Provide
the Following:
• Services to youth under 16 years of
age (the exception being through the
SANE program); we do provide information,
referrals and educational materials
• Services to survivors dealing with issues
relating to psychosis or other critical
mental illnesses
• Counseling and support groups for
male survivors of sexual violence; we
do provide information, referrals and
educational materials
• Services for offenders
• Services relating to other forms of violence,
such as ongoing partner/
intimate abuse
• Counseling that is court ordered, mandated
by the Family and Children’s
Services Act, or mandated by other
agencies
• Couples/family counseling
• Medical services beyond those provided
by the SANE program
• Referrals to doctors or lawyers
• Legal advice
• The release of confidential information
• The names of survivors/victims to media
or organizations looking for speakers
or representation
• Self defense programs
• Shelter or safe house accommodations

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner After
Hours Response Line
In collaboration with Help Line, Avalon now
provides a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner afterhours
response line for individuals who have
experienced a sexual assault within the past 7
days. This line is available after hours, on
weekends, and on holidays (425-0122). During
office hours, the SANE program can be accessed
through the SANE business office (422-6503).
Counselors from Avalon Centre can be reached
for emotional support or to arrange counselling
during office hours (422-4240).

SANE After Hours Response Line

Nurses Do Provide:
• Services to females, males and trans persons
of any age
• Confidential and non-judgmental support
• Information regarding options and supports
• Medical care and/or collection of forensic
evidence at the hospital (up to 72 hours after
a sexual assault has occurred).
SANE After Hours Response Line

Nurses Do Not:
• Assist with the police investigation
• Give statements to the police or assist victims
with giving a police statement
• Respond to the crime scene or the victim’s
home

Avalon Centre Does Not Provide the Following:

• Services to youth under 16 years of
age (the exception being through the
SANE program); we do provide information,
referrals and educational materials
• Services to survivors dealing with issues
relating to psychosis or other critical
mental illnesses
• Counseling and support groups for
male survivors of sexual violence; we
do provide information, referrals and
educational materials
• Services for offenders
• Services relating to other forms of violence,
such as ongoing partner/
intimate abuse
• Counseling that is court ordered, mandated
by the Family and Children’s
Services Act, or mandated by other
agencies
• Couples/family counseling
• Medical services beyond those provided
by the SANE program
• Referrals to doctors or lawyers
• Legal advice
• The release of confidential information
• The names of survivors/victims to media
or organizations looking for speakers
or representation
• Self defense programs
• Shelter or safe house accommodations