Victim Services – Family Information Liaison Unit

Works directly with families of missing or murdered Indigenous women and girls to gather information they seek from government agencies and organizations related to the loss of their loved one.

The Family Information Liaison Unit (FILU) can:

• Meet with the family to discuss the type of information you may be seeking
• Gather information from the police, medical examiners, and corrections
• Share information with family when possible
• Connect family to Elders and other supports in the community
• Assist in arranging a traditional healing ceremony

The kinds of information the FILU can help with includes:

• General information about the criminal justice system
• Specific information about the status of the investigation or prosecution
• Information about services and resources to help deal with trauma
• Answers to outstanding questions about the decisions made by health services, social services, child and family services, and police services related to your loved one
• Policies guiding the provincial medical examiner's office
• Information on how to file a complaint or report allegations of misconduct

The FILU cannot:

• Participate in investigations
• Give legal advice
• Help with legal action
• Participate in legal proceedings
• Provide a legal remedy for families

The FILU is separate from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). Services are available to families even if they chose not to participate in the National Inquiry. The team is made up of an Aboriginal Victim Case Coordinator from Victim Services and a Community Outreach Specialist from Nova Scotia Native Women's Association.