Assaulted Women's and Children's Counsellor/Advocate Program (AWCCA) (C137)

Program Description

Leadership Claims

George Brown College has been preparing graduates to work as Assaulted Women's and Children's Counsellor/Advocates over 30 years.

This program is unique in Canada.

Program Overview

George Brown College's Assaulted Women's and Children's Counsellor/Advocate (AWCCA) (C137) program provides students with a feminist, anti-racist analysis of the political and counselling issues related to gender-based violence. It trains students to be agents for change in their work in all sectors of the communities they work in and prepares them to provide anti-oppressive counselling and advocacy for self-identified women, children, trans and non-binary survivors who have experienced or are experiencing gender-based violence.

For applicants with an existing diploma or degree and/or equivalent work experience, we offer a three-semester condensed version of this two-year program. Visit the AWCCA (Accelerated) (C147) program page for more details.

Full Description

George Brown College's Assaulted Women's and Children's Counsellor/Advocate (AWCCA) (C137) program provides students with a feminist, anti-racist analysis of the political and counselling issues related to gender-based violence experienced primarily by self-identified women, children, trans and non-binary survivors. It trains students to be agents for change in their work of community education, political action and law reform, and prepares them to provide anti-oppressive counselling for survivors who have experienced or are experiencing gender-based violence.

For applicants with an existing diploma or degree and/or equivalent work experience, we offer a three-semester condensed version of this two-year program. Visit the AWCCA (Accelerated) (C147) program page for more details.   

Police Vulnerable Sector Check

Please note that some of our student placement partners require students in this program to have a Police Vulnerable Sector Check completed before their field placement.

These Police Vulnerable Sector Checks, which can take up to four months, are done to protect the clientele of these agencies, who are considered “vulnerable persons” under the law.

The fees for the Police Vulnerable Sector Checks vary and must be paid by the student.

Students are responsible for ensuring that the check covers appropriateness for “individuals being employed and/or volunteering who will be working with vulnerable person(s).” Students who are unable to provide a clear Police Vulnerable Sector Check may find that their choice of placements is limited.

Your Field Education Options

Field education plays an important role in George Brown's AWCCA program by preparing students to work with those affected by gender-based violence. It includes those directly impacted, and the communities within which they live and work and often encompasses those who identify as trans and non-binary, and other disenfranchised populations.

In year one, AWCCA students take a class called Preparation for the Field, which includes introductory activities to the field, such as:

  • interviewing staff during an agency visit
  • conducting research to indentify placement options that will meet their learning goals
  • participating in professional development activities 
  • learning about how programs and services are developed

In second year, AWCCA students will build on their learning by engaging in 400-hour unpaid field placement, where they will participate in many of the following:

  • crisis intervention
  • supportive counselling and accompaniment
  • group facilitation
  • case management and advocacy
  • intake and referrals
  • special projects and events
  • political advocacy
  • professional development
  • outreach and public education
  • project design and delivery

Placements begin in September and continue through to the end of April for approximately 400 hours. Students will often do this placement at emergency shelters, rape crisis centres, youth services, settlement agencies, health providers and other agencies who provide front-line support to survivors of gender-based violence.

Field placement agencies are very similar to those employing our graduates. In many instances, employers hire graduates because of contact and experience with them through the fieldwork placement. Most agencies are within Toronto, while some agencies in the Greater Toronto Area and other locations in Ontario and Canada provide students with placement opportunities.

Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Career Options

AWCCA graduates work in a variety of settings, including:

  • women’s transition and interval houses
  • rape crisis centres
  • community health centres
  • settlement services
  • community centres
  • victim/witness programs

Educational Pathways

AWCCA graduates may apply for accelerated entry in the following related George Brown College programs:

See Transfer Guide.

Graduates of the AWCCA program are also eligible to apply for advanced standing in degree programs such as:

AWCCA graduates can also apply to Women and Gender Studies, Environmental Sciences, Indigenous Studies and other programs at several universities such as York University, Toronto Metropolitan University, Athabasca University and University of Victoria.

Future Study Options

Graduates of the AWCCA program are also eligible to apply for advanced standing in degree programs such as:

Students can also apply to Women and Gender Studies, Environmental Sciences, Indigenous Studies and other programs at several universities such Toronto Metropolitan University, Athabasca University and University of Victoria.

Watch this video from one of our graduates.

Stacey Johnson
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