Crime Prevention and Justice Services

The Advocate for Children and Youth is an Independent Statutory office of the House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador. This office has the authority to represent the rights, interests and viewpoints of children and youth who are entitled to receive services and access programs provided by the government of this province.

Crime Prevention Group for areas between Bay Bulls and Bauline, on the Southern Shore of NL.

The Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development focuses on child protection, youth services, seniors, aging, health promotion, wellness and sport. The department also has responsibility for the Disability Policy Office and the Poverty Reduction Strategy.

The Citizens’ Crime Prevention Association of Newfoundland and Labrador is comprised of police and citizens who are concerned with making our communities better and safer places in which to live.

The Coalition Against Human Trafficking is on a mission to eradicate Human Trafficking through public awareness and education, services to trafficked persons, advocacy, and resources and training support to law enforcement.

Crime Stoppers has 10 regional offices and over 150 volunteers comprised of diverse, active and dedicated community representatives. Crime Stoppers provides a method for local law enforcement and other investigative agencies to receive information on crimes. These efforts increase tips, which in turn increase arrests in our community.

The Department of CSSD supports individuals, families and communities in Newfoundland and Labrador in achieving improved health and social well-being and reduced poverty; and ensures the protection of children, youth and adults from abuse or neglect. The Department promotes the values of inclusion, diversity, and healthy active living and leads the development of policies, programs and partnerships to improve services and the overall social development of the Province.

There are two levels of Family Court in Newfoundland and Labrador: Provincial and Supreme.

The Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador has two divisions – Family and General.

The Provincial Court and the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador hear family matters dealing with custody, access, child support and spousal support. However, only the Supreme Court has the authority to deal with divorce and the division of matrimonial property.

Family Justice Services (FJS) assist families in resolving separation and divorce issues.

FJS provides the following services:FJS emphasizes the best interest of children and promotes dispute resolution outside the Court process. Dispute resolution occurs when parties talk to a neutral third person to explore ways to resolve their family law matters.

1. Parent Information Sessions on family law and parenting after separation
2. Dispute resolution in cases of custody, access, and child support
3. Counselling services may be available for children and their families as determined by FJS

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, in collaboration with the Public Legal Information Association of NL (PLIAN) and the Newfoundland and Labrador Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Centre (NLSACPC), today launched a program that offers free legal support to survivors of sexual violence.

As of today, people who have experienced sexual violence can contact trained staff who will assess and work with the individual’s particular needs and experiences and can provide supportive referrals to a trauma-informed lawyer.

The John Howard Society is a voluntary, non-profit agency that provides counselling, residential, employment and related services to adult and youth ex-offenders.

 The Law Society serves the public interest by promoting a high standard of legal services and professional conduct and by ensuring that its method of regulation is dynamic and responsive to the challenges of a changing profession.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission is an independent government agency responsible for promoting and protecting human rights in the province.  We do this by:

• Administering the Human Rights Act
• Investigating and resolving human rights complaints
• Giving legal information to individuals, groups and organizations who are concerned with human rights
• Preventing discrimination through education and training
• Working with community partners

Legal Aid provides a range of legal services to low income individuals in Newfoundland and Labrador in the areas of family and criminal law.

Those who are eligible can access the service of one of Legal Aid’s experienced lawyers located throughout the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The primary work of the Citizens’ Representative is to accept complaints from citizens who feel they have been treated unfairly with respect to their contact with government offices and agencies. The Citizens’ Representative and his staff will attempt to mediate citizens’ complaints and if this is not possible, will undertake an impartial and unbiased investigation. If the complaint cannot be resolved throughout the investigation, an investigation report is generated and recommendations can be made to the House of Assembly.

The Office of the Citizens’ Representative can also undertake complaints that study how governmental policies, procedures, and actions can affect a large number of people. These are called systemic complaints and can result in recommendations that have a much broader impact than those flowing from individual complaints.

This website will guide you through the process of getting a peace bond against someone else.

There are two reasons why you might apply:

• Because you fear that another person may do you or your family some personal injury.
• Because you fear that another person may damage your property.

The Advisory Council was established in 1980 and provides advice to the Provincial Government on issues affecting women in the province.

An independent non-profit that provides general information and education about the law to all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, with the intent of increasing access to justice.

Do you need police support in an area patrolled by the RCMP? Call 911 if in crisis, or their non-emergency number above.

Do you need police support in an area patrolled by the RNC? Call 911 if in crisis, or their non-emergency number above.

Restorative Justice Education NL is a multidisciplinary Research and Resource Centre that is comprised of researchers and practitioners in relational justice. ​We share our insights and experiences on this site in hopes of learning together with others globally. 

Correctional and Justice Services (CJS) encourages and assists all persons affected by the justice system. We support all individuals with issues in the courts, institutions, or involvement with correctional services, or those with family members involved in these areas.

The Salvation Army offers clients practical support, outreach and other types of assistance to re-establish their lives productively and enable positive re-integration into community following incarceration.

The Provincial Court of Newfoundland and Labrador has limited civil jurisdiction. This means that the Court has the power to hear civil actions where the monetary value claimed does not exceed $25,000.00. Civil actions involve disputes between individuals, or between any of the following parties: individuals, corporations, extra provincial companies, partnerships, municipalities, young persons, unincorporated associations, trade unions, and the Crown.

Can’t find housing?

The Brian Martin Housing Resource Centre offers counselling, advocacy and other support services to help people find secure housing. The Front Step is an End Homelessness St. John’s program co-managed by Stella’s Circle and Choices for Youth. It provides housing to people who are chronically and episodically homeless. Jess’s Place offers a safe, supportive, independent transitional housing for women over the age of 18 in recovery from addiction. Naomi Centre is a temporary shelter and support for women aged 16-30 within a harm reduction model.

Need work or job training?

Our Social Enterprise Training Program offers training to help people work in food service, as trades helpers, or as cleaners. CanDo Enterprises offers flexible on-the-job work experience. Employment Transition Groups help participants to engage in a range of options to address their varying needs as they move towards employment. Job Development and Employment Maintenance ensures opportunities for successful employment for participants who are ready to enter the workforce. Adult Basic Education Level I helps adults complete their schooling.

Need counselling or support?

Emmanuel House offers a supportive environment, through individual counselling, therapeutic groups and life skills support, in a residential setting. The Community Support Program provides intensive assistance to people with complex mental health needs. The Just Us Women’s Centre offers programs and support for women who have been in conflict with the law. Services are also offered at the NL Correctional Centre for Women in Clarenville.

Community agency providing support to individuals involved in the justice system seeking support to integrate within the community.

Victim Services is a free service offered by the Department of Justice and Public Safety to victims of crime in Newfoundland and Labrador.  Victim Services provides assistance to victims of:

• intimate partner violence (domestic violence);
• sexual assault;
• criminal harassment (stalking);
• personal violence like assault; assault with a weapon; assault causing bodily harm;
• threats;
• homicide (family members can access services);
• impaired driving;
• property crimes; and
• theft and fraud.

Services are available to adult victims of crime, 16 years of age and older whether or not the crime has been reported or a charge has been laid.  Services are also available to children, youth, or witnesses (under 16 years of age) when charges are laid. A caregiver or legal guardian must consent to services.