The Legal & Medical Advocacy Department consists of four advocates who provide victims of sexual and domestic violence and their significant others with support and accompaniment throughout the legal system.

Court Accompaniment and Preparation

An Advocate will explain everything that you will experience and provide support and accompaniment as you go through all stages of the criminal and juvenile justice system including:

  • Preliminary hearings
  • Pre-trial conferences
  • Judicial pre-trials
  • Trials and sentencing
  • All stages of the juvenile process
  • Child sexual assault interviews
  • Adjudication and disposition

Advocates also assist crime victims to prepare an oral or written statement that conveys to the Judge how the consequences of the crime have impacted their lives.

Protection From Abuse Order (PFA)

If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

A PFA can be obtained from the PFA office at the Beaver County Courthouse (2nd floor) from 8:00-9:30 a.m., Monday through Friday. Legal Advocates are usually available in the PFA office during those times to provide adult and child victims of domestic and/or sexual violence and their significant others assistance with filing the PFA. Advocates provide counseling support and accompaniment to PFA temporary and final hearings.

After 9:30 a.m. weekdays, the victim requesting the PFA must go to the local magistrate to obtain an emergency PFA. To get an emergency PFA after business hours, weekends and holidays, the victim must contact the local police who will contact the magistrate on call.

Medical Advocacy and Crisis Intervention

Our Advocates provide 24-hour, 7 days a week on-site crisis intervention and counseling to victims of domestic and sexual violence at local hospitals, police departments and schools.
If you are a victim of domestic or sexual violence, please call our HELPLINE 24/7 at 724-775-0131.

Safety Planning

Safety planning for someone in an abusive relationship is a necessary and important step. Whether you are an adult or a teen, thinking through steps to protect yourself can be done while you are still with your abuser or after the relationship has ended. Use the resources below to prepare yourself.

Are You Being Stalked? Source: Nat’l Ctr. for Victims of Crime
Cell Phone and Internet Safety Plan Source: Nat’l Network to End Domestic Violence
Teen Dating Violence Safety Plan Source: Nat’l Ctr. for Victims of Crime
Domestic Violence Safety Plan Source: Nat’l Ctr. On Domestic & Sexual Violence
Call our HELPLINE 24/7 at 724-775-0131 for more information.

Victim’s Compensation

The Women’s Center Advocates can provide victims and their significant others with information on how to file crime victim’s compensation claims through referrals to the local Victim Witness office.

 

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