Help In Court

Advocacy

HAVEN has a Social Action Program. This program provides a safe and supportive environment to help people gain trust again, feel safe and less alone. Advocates help in a confidential (private) way. Advocates work with ASL interpreters.

Advocates are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They have a pager if they are needed and will provide support after an assault. They will go to any Oakland County hospital, our rape exam location (START site) or police station. If you have a friend or family member with you, HAVEN will send a second advocate to help them.

If you need an advocate, HAVEN will page the advocate. The advocate will contact you by videophone or text. Your advocate can give you information to help you during this crisis. They are trained to see how much danger you are in and help you with a safety plan. They can give you information about doctors or hospitals and tell you what your rights are. If you need some money and your situation involves lost wages or medical expenses, your advocate can help you apply for money from the Crime Victims Fund.

Advocates work with district courts in Oakland County. They will go with you to court and help you get a Personal Protection Order (PPO) if you need it. Advocates can go with you for “Show Cause” hearings at the court. They can also work with the local police, prosecutors’ offices and lawyers’ offices.

Personal Protection Order (PPO) Office

What is a Personal Protection Order (PPO)? Learn why you should get a PPO, when you can get a PPO and how to get a PPO.

If you have been stalked or have experienced domestic violence, you may feel confused and scared by the PPO process, but the skilled staff at HAVEN will help you and support you through the process.

On October 1, 2006, HAVEN began working with the Oakland County Personal Protection Order (PPO) office. The HAVEN PPO office is at the Oakland County Circuit Court in Pontiac.

This service is free. To contact the PPO office, please call 248-975-9511 through Relay. The program is funded by the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA).