Advocacy and Accompaniment

Volunteers are available to explain and accompany survivors to:

• Medical appointments (medical/legal kits, abortion, STI testing, therapy, etc.)
• File a criminal complaint at a police station
• Meetings at legal clinics
• Mediation procedures (if allowed)
• Appointments with the Office for Sexual Violence Response, Support, and Education (OSVRSE)

Information and Resource Referral

Policies and Procedures

Volunteers can assist you in navigating in complaint procedure at McGill through:

• The Sexual Violence Policy
• The Policy Against Harassment and Discrimination Prohibited by Law
• Any other organization and institution, if applicable

While A-Branch volunteers are not professional counsellors or lawyers, our training and access to a wide range of resources allow us to do the relevant research and provide you with any necessary information about policies and resources. We can attend meetings with the Special Investigator with you, help you establish academic accommodations, request immediate administrative measures related to your safety on campus, and sign the transcript of your report on your behalf.

Resource Referral

SACOMSS has extensive knowledge of resources available in Montreal and online, which include support for a diverse range of issues and identities. As volunteers, we will do everything we can to help you find resources that are accessible and open to you as an individual. 

Active Listening and Support

Each A-Branch volunteer undergoes an initial training program and retraining every term to learn and maintain trauma-informed approaches, anti-oppression practices, active listening techniques, and up-to-date knowledge of policies and resources. 

Even if you are unsure whether the A-Branch can assist you, we encourage you to ask! We are available to simply meet with survivors to explore their options and offer active listening. Just send an email to schedule a meeting.

A-Branch Volunteers have assisted survivors in a variety of ways, that have included:

• Providing meals
• Filing protection orders for survivors
• Seeking information from McGill Security Services
• Helping individuals move apartments
• Emailing professors to ask for academic accomodations after an assault
• Writing complaint letters for individuals that have been mistreated by other organizations and health centres
• Increasing home security
• Writing opinion pieces and open letters