Searching for Victims Of Crime Support Programs

Provincial Crown Attorney's Office

• prosecutes the vast majority of criminal offences in the Province of Ontario

Support program

• provides direct services to victims of crime across Ontario and funds community organizations that deliver support services to victims

Information on the family court process

• assistance in preparing for family court proceedings
• referral to specialized services and supports in the community
• safety planning
• court accompaniment to proceedings when appropriate

On-site early intervention and crisis intervention

• needs assessment
• safety planning
• referrals to community services
• enhanced support for vulnerable victims
• assistance with applications to VQRP+
• support to survivors of human trafficking

Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+): assistance with emergency expenses related to an incident, including:

• home safety
• accommodation
• meals
• transportation
• basic necessities
• dependent care costs
• counselling
• traditional Indigenous health services
• cellular phones
• vision/dental care
• aids for victims with disabilities
• interpretation services
• crime scene cleanup
• government/medical documents
• funeral expenses

Additional assistance for victims of human trafficking includes:

• tattoo removal
• treatment at a recovery facility

Internet Child Exploitation Counselling Program (ICE):

• province-wide referrals to short-term counselling for child and youth victims of Internet exploitation and to their impacted family members
• up to $1,500 towards the cost of counselling per eligible child or youth victim(s)
• up to $1,000 towards the cost of counselling per impacted eligible family member
• services in French and English and provides culturally-appropriate services for diverse clients, including Indigenous clients and interpretation services for clients who request services in languages other than English or French

Community legal clinic

• Provides legal advice Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
• Employment Law
• Human Rights Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
• Old Age Supplement
• Ontario Works (OW)
• Tenant Law
• Victims of Crime
• Workers' Compensation/Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)

Does not offer services in criminal or family law (divorce, separation, custody, support, etc.), provincial or criminal offenses

Does not advise landlords

Satellite offices are located in Alexandria and Williamsburg by appointment only

Legal clinic

Services

• employment law and workers' compensation
• Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Supplement
• human rights and victims of crime
• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
• Ontario Works
• Tenant Law

The Alexandria and Williamsburg locations are satellite clinics. Call for an appointment.

Visit their website for more details

Outreach services geared towards youth

Community Programs:

• Youth Justice Committee Program
• Strives Program
• Mandatory Attendance Program
• Day Treatment Program
• Extra Judicial Measures
• Extra Judicial Sanctions
• Youth Mental Health Court Worker
• Standard Teen Triple P Practitioners
• Direct Accountability Program: (Adult Diversion)
• Adult Community Service Order Program
• Adult Transitional Worker Program
• Intersections Program

Francophone non-profit aiming to raise awareness in the community regarding violence against women, to support and equip affected women and their dependents

• education, prevention, awareness-raising in the community

Outreach Program:

• safety plan
• needs assessment
• individual counselling
• accompaniment to court, lawyer, police, etc.
• advocacy; and referrals
• individual counselling for children and youth

Transitional and Housing Support Programs:

• safety plan
• needs assessment
• find and keep suitable housing
• accompaniment
• assistance applying for documents and financial assistance
• budget assistance
• help when going back to school
• help finding a job

Pattern Changing Support Group: educational program to help abused women live a better life

Girls Only Support Group: for girls in grades 9 and 10

Hand in Hand Network: network of volunteers offering clients transportation, child care, shelter support, and community development

Self Discovery Group: Group for getting to know and accepting yourself

Francophone sexual assault support services:

• provides support, individual and/or group support
• accompaniment, advocacy and information and referral to other appropriate services
• offers education and awareness programs
• 24 hour crisis line
• confidential and free

COVID-19 (10 September 2021): In-person services suspended, core services provided remotely.

On-site early intervention and crisis intervention

• needs assessment
• safety planning
• referrals to community services
• enhanced support for vulnerable victims
• assistance with applications to VQRP+

Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+) -- assistance with emergency expenses related to

• short-term immediate counseling services.
• crime Scene Clean up.
• emergency home repairs to secure premises for the immediate safety of victims.
• transportation costs as a result of a violent crime.
• emergency child/dependent care.
• emergency accommodation and meals.
• assistance with funeral costs for homicide victims.

Provincial Crown Attorney's Office

• prosecutes the vast majority of criminal offences in the Province of Ontario

Support program

• provides direct services to victims of crime across Ontario and funds community organizations that deliver support services to victims

Support program

• provides direct services to victims of crime across Ontario and funds community organizations that deliver support services to victims

Residential treatment program for survivors of sexual exploitation and human trafficking

• three beds capacity
• one emergency crisis bed

Program for children witnesses of violence

• children's group for children who have experienced abuse towards their mothers and a parallel parenting group for the moms is offered
• the groups are run twice a year

Individual counseling offered to children 3 to 18 years old who have experienced abuse or witnessed it towards their mothers

• follow up provided to children who have participated in a support group
• parenting support also offered to mothers who have experienced abuse

Information on the family court process

• assistance in preparing for family court proceedings (documenting history of abuse, accessing Legal Aid)
• referral to specialized services and supports in the community
• safety planning
• court accompaniment to proceedings when appropriate

COVID-19 (9 November 2021): Due to COVID19, all programming but Monday culture program (5 participants) at Lola St location is suspended until further notice. Shelter services, Housing First services and STORM outreach services are still available. See Facebook Page and instagram and website for latest updates.

Services and programs for First Nations, Inuit and Métis women, children, youth, elders and families

• healing circles
• cultural / spiritual teachings
• 50 years and over grandmothers groups
• youth programs
• visiting elders
• advocacy and referral
• hospital visits
• crafts and workshops
• accompaniment and support to legal proceedings and other appointments

Counselling:

• general
• family
• sexual abuse
• addictions

COVID-19 (16 December 2021): Staff is delivering services remotely. Métis who are in need of help accessing supports are urged to contact the MNO toll free at 1-800-263-4889 or email covidhelp@metisnation.org.

Bi-weekly Drop-in program: Willow's (16+) for women and 2SLGBTQ+ people who trade/sell sex and/or use substances

• access to an Ottawa Public Health Nurse
• harm reduction supplies (safer sex, injection, inhalation)
• a hot meal
• clothing
• menstrual products
• toiletries
• peer support
• overdose prevention and education & Narcan kits
• crisis intervention
• referrals, including for cultural supports

Direct outreach is being offered during COVID-19: Bi-weekly Support Group (16+) via zoom for women (16+) survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), exploitation, and trafficking

• personal development workshops
• arts-based activities
• cultural activities
• lunch

Support program offered via zoom during COVID-19 with lunch being dropped off:

• Métis-focused
• Trauma-informed
• Strengths-based
• Evidence-based, rooted in harm reduction

The Team is also available to provide trainings, workshops, and presentations to community members and service providers related to harm reduction, gender-based violence, human trafficking, etc.

Early intervention and crisis intervention

• needs assessment
• safety planning
• referrals to community services
• enhanced support for vulnerable victims
• reference to VQRP+

Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+) --

• assistance with emergency expenses related to the incident, including home safety, accommodation, meals, transportation, basic necessities, dependent care costs, counselling, traditional Indigenous health services, cellular phones, vision care, dental care, aids for victims with disabilities, interpretation services, crime scene cleanup, government/medical documents and funeral expenses
• additional assistance for victims of human trafficking includes storage locker, tattoo removal, and treatment at a recovery facility
• no direct reimbursement to victims for support listed above
• financial support also available for victims who sustained serious physical injuries during a crime and for parents of child homicide victims and spouses of homicide victims

Victims support group

Services

• help to obtain needed services and resources
• help navigating criminal justice continuum
• deal with post-trial agencies (Correctional Service Canada and Parole Board of Canada) through representation, access to financial benefits/compensation programs
• obtain long-term emotional support
• national monthly Homicide Support Group (virtual, English only - for intake, please email at crcvc@crcvc.ca or call at 1-877-232-2610)

Other services:

• advocating for victims' rights by presenting the interests and perspectives of victims of crime to government, at all levels
• provision of resource materials, media guides to crime victims and service providers
• online chat support is available through our website for information, support and resources
• support through text
• Free monthly newsletter, EMPOWER

Free confidential interpretation service for agencies serving non-English or French-speaking people who are victims or survivors of violence

COVID-19 (26 Mar 2020): Due to COVID19, the centre is physically closed and regular programming is on hold until further notice * staff is still available via email and phone to support clients * free online computer classes available for women: permanent residents, convention refugees, caregivers * to register, contact iskrena@immigrantwomenservices.com or call 613-729-3145

Crisis Intervention and Counselling Service:

• crisis intervention
• short-and long-term counselling
• information, referral and support services
• support to victims of war and trauma
• support and information on various options for pregnant women

Orientation and Adaptation Services:

• needs assessment and information and referral to community and social services
• support with finding housing, child care, registering children in school and health care
• support with finding housing, child care, registering children in school and health care community support through volunteer befriending, conversation circles to practice English or French
• help with connecting to language classes
• workshops to reduce stress of adjusting to Canadian culture

Translation and interpretation services:

• professionally trained interpreters with expertise in health, community and social services: in person, by phone and Video Remote Interpreting (VRI)

Supportive counselling:

• short-term counselling to clients who encounter difficulties in adjusting to life in Canada and assistance in overcoming these challenges

Citizenship Preparation:

• courses, tests and activities to help newcomers prepare for the citizenship test: in class or online.

Employment Counselling and Preparation:

Job search preparation and training:

• developing strong job search strategies and workplace communication skills

Employment counselling:

• resume help, job readiness clinic, employment counselling, skills and career development and help in establishing social and professional networks

Job search workshop held monthly:

• free childcare
• referrals
• computer training

Support services for women who are victims or survivors of violence and/or newcomers and their families:

Support Groups:

• 10-week support group for women survivors of violence
• transportation
• child care
• language interpretation

Children Who Witness Violence Program (in partnership with Family Services à la famille Ottawa) offering:

• support and information to children who witness violence in the home
• individual counselling for childre
• family counselling
• art club for children and mother

Transitional and Housing Support Program for Abused Women

Other Settlement Services:

Language Interpreter Training:

• for culturally diverse women and men who fulfill the requirements for training
• for more information on this program, call the Language Interpretation service

Public education

Training and Outreach:

• Information sessions on Ottawa's diverse community

Anti-oppression training for service providers

Public education sessions on domestic violence for newcomers

Workshops for newcomer immigrant women on parenting in a new culture, legal information, social assistance etc.

Works with service providers and community partners to reach isolated newcomer immigrants and refugee women

Support in situations of elder abuse including emotional abuse, financial abuse, physical abuse and neglect:

• provides information, referrals and intake
• specialized support and case management for older adults
• consultations with family members, friends/neighbors and service providers
• elder abuse education and awareness sessions
• program brochure available: click here