Albertans affected by family violence can get help through the government and community organizations located across the province.
While no one ever expects to be a victim of crime, it is important to know there is help available to you. If you have been the victim of crime, you have rights under Canadian law. If the crimes against you have happened in an abusive situation, you will find other useful resources in the section on Abuse and Violence.
The resources on this page were hand-picked by the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta's staff as a good place to start.
You may also find helpful resources listed under the legal topic: Victim support and victim rights
CPLEA Suggested Resources
Not sure where to begin finding answers to your questions. Get started with our suggested resources. See additional resources below for more information.
Alberta Resources
This online resource is from the Student Legal Services of Edmonton. Includes information about: What is Assault?, Intent, Consent, Self-Defence, Legal Options Available to the Victim, and Self-Referral Numbers. This resource is also available for download as a PDF (6 pgs)..
As a provincial umbrella organization, the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services focuses its efforts on raising awareness of issues involving sexual abuse and sexual assault and on ensuring that Albertans have access to help. The member agencies of AASAS are responsible for day-to-day, front-line delivery of services. The AASAS website provides detailed information on the member agencies, current projects, and resources and information on sexual assault in Canada. To contact a sexual assault centre, visit Get Help.
The mission of the Centre is to work with others to empower people to move from poverty to prosperity. They enable people to meet their own basic daily needs, participate in community, have sustainable livelihoods, feel hope for the future and make plans for a prosperous life. The Centre offers a variety of programs which include victims services and advocacy.
Free Domestic Violence resource that CPLEA offers that are available in either Print or as a Download.
These resources provide general legal information to those dealing with Domestic Violence in Alberta. These material do NOT provide legal advice!
Edmonton John Howard Society is a not-for-profit, community-based crime prevention agency. They provide assistance to people in conflict with the law, their families, those who have the potential to be in conflict with the law, and victims of crime. Their work to eradicate the root causes of crime helps build safety and harmony in communities. The Edmonton John Howard Society works to promote a better understanding of the Criminal Justice System and the consequences of breaking the law. Their work is accomplished through educational presentations provided to youth in the school system and the community. Caseworkers provide support and assist individuals throughout the various stages of the record suspension application process.
This service is offered by the Government of Alberta, Family Violence Prevention Unit. Trained staff can help get you to safety and give you information on supports and financial aid.
If you think someone you know is experiencing family violence, reach out by calling or texting the Family Violence Info Line at 310-1818, toll-free 24/7, or using the confidential online chat. Phone services are available in more than 170 languages.
This section of the Government of Alberta: Family Violence website is dedicated to the prevention of family violence and bullying. The page provides activities and resources to help prevent family violence and domestic violence, and support healthy relationships.
This online tutorial created by the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta provides information about giving evidence in a criminal trial (includes some particular references to giving evidence about abuse).
This section of the website of Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security provides information on victim impact statements, financial benefits program, restitution for victims of crime and answers to common questions as well as links to related agencies. The Victims of Crime Act establishes: The authority to collect a surcharge on provincial statute offences; Defined principles regarding the treatment of victims; Financial benefits for victims; and a grants program with respect to programs that benefit victims of crime.
The Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton is a feminist-based not-for-profit charitable organization that supports children, adolescents, and adults who have experienced sexual abuse or assault, and educates the public about sexual violence.
The Alberta Police Based Victim Services Association (APBVSA) is a non-profit organization of Victim Service Units located in Police facilities throughout Alberta. The Association promotes proactive leadership, professional development and education to ensure service excellence to victims of crime and tragedy. Website includes listings for victim services programs throughout Alberta.
This publication from Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security is meant to be a useful reference for people who are victims of crime. The protocol outlines what you can expect throughout the criminal justice process, from the time you report a crime through the police investigation, court proceedings and, if the accused is found guilty, provincial and federal corrections and the National Parole Board. The protocol also tells what is expected of you and what else you can do when you are in contact with the criminal justice system. (PDF - 110 pages)
This website is meant to make a traditionally complex area of knowledge easier to understand and more accessible. Many Albertan women will benefit from this resource, including those who are new to the English language, have no background in the law, those who cannot afford legal advice and those in remote communities without internet access. Although it is not meant to replace expert advice the resource is a starting place and a guide for women who don’t know where to look.
Canada/Federal
The CCVT provides the link between the survivor of torture and a network of professional services which includes doctors, lawyers, social service workers and volunteers as well as crisis intervention, counseling, the Children's Program and Art Therapy.
The NCECC functions as the point of contact for investigations related to the sexual exploitation of children on the Internet in Canada.
This online video from the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) shows victims how a parole hearing works and directs victims to other Board information, such as their website and toll-free victim information line. The PBC believes victims should, if they choose, have a role in the conditional release process. This openness and transparency supports their public safety mandate.
The Policy Centre for Victim Issues, a division of the Department of Justice Canada, implements the Federal Victim Strategy the objective of which is to give victims of crime a more effective voice in the criminal justice system. We develop policy and criminal law reform, administer the Victims Fund, and broadly share information about issues of importance to victims of crime. Publications include a crime victims’ guide to the criminal justice system and Victim Services Directory.
Canada has a broad definition of sexual assault. It includes all unwanted sexual activity, such as unwanted sexual grabbing, kissing, and fondling as well as rape. This webpage developed by the Women's Legal Education and Action Fund provides an overview of the law about consent in sexual assault cases.
The Victim Justice Network is a non-profit national organization whose mission is to establish an online-based network to better serve and support victims of crime. One of its objectives is to promote public awareness and public education on issues of importance to victims of crime.
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