Client Advocacy

Housing Advocacy

The Retreat supplies assistance in applying for section 8 vouchers and in searching for new housing. Information, referrals and linkages to local realtors and housing departments is also available.

Social Services Advocacy

Information and accompaniment to file applications for benefits,  entitlements, and interactions with the Department of Social Services staff to coordinate services.

Legal Advocacy

The goal of the Retreat is to maximize the safety of domestic violence victims and their children and to elicit the most favorable response from the judicial system for our clients. We provide the first step for individuals considering their legal options by providing encouragement, supportive listening and information throughout the legal process.

• Retreat legal advocates accompany victims through the process of petitioning Family Court for orders of protection and custody as well as clarify options offered by the Court. Advocates encourage victims to follow-up with attorney appointments and to continue with Court appearances, therefore enabling the system to hold perpetrators of domestic violence accountable for their crimes.
• Retreat legal advocates provide referrals to attorney services, Justice Court, counseling, shelter and aftercare programs where appropriate.
• Retreat Advocacy Department houses the STOP Violence Against Women Program, which works towards accomplishing the following goals:
  1. Mobilization of public and private resources to reduce the incidence of violence against women, especially in the form of sexual assault and domestic violence
  2. Continuation and enhancement of a harmonized system wide approach to reducing violence against women, strengthening law enforcement and prosecution strategies and victim services, leading to increased reporting
  3. Improving services to victims of sexual and domestic violence, improving the chances that victims will cooperate with prosecution against perpetrators and encourage recovery from trauma
  4. Victim outreach on the topic of dating violence to East End Colleges

This program was implemented collaboratively by Suffolk County Executives Office, Suffolk County District Attorney, Probation Department, Victims Information Bureau of Suffolk, The Retreat, Suffolk County Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department.

---

Other pages related to this one...

---