Advocacy Support
Our advocacy support ensures that survivors of rape and sexual abuse are able to access specialised support through the criminal justice process if they are considering or should they choose to report to the police. Access to early support and information will help survivors to feel more informed about the legal process as well as being able to access on-going support throughout their criminal justice journey.
What does our advocacy support service provide?
- The space to explore your reporting options and understand the police and court process.
- Support throughout the police investigation and court hearing if required, or at any stage throughout the criminal justice process.
- From our support centre in Dumfries and other venues in Dumfries and Galloway, we work using trauma informed, person centred approach that is welcoming, safe, confidential, supportive, and inclusive.
- If you decide not to take up our criminal justice advocacy support service, you can still access one to one emotional support- click on the emotional support tab for more details.
An advocacy worker can:
- Talk you through your options if you are deciding whether or not to report a crime of sexual violence to the police that is either recent or happened a long time ago.
- Explain the police, medical and court processes to you.
- Be present with you if you decide to make a statement to the police.
- Support you along to your forensic medical examination.
- Attend court or other related appointments with you.
- Ensure your views and opinions are fully heard and communicated during any police, medical or court processes.
- Make sure you understand what is happening at each stage of the process.
- Put you in contact with other agencies who can help with practical matters such as housing, financial or health issues.
- Provide in-court support where appropriate.
An Advocacy worker will:
- Keep your information confidential.
- Let you make your own decisions.
- Help you speak about what is important to you.
- Speak on your behalf if that is what you would prefer.
As Advocacy worker will not:
- Tell you what to do.
- Put any pressure on you to make any decisions.
- Judge any decision you make.