Searching for Victims Of Crime Support Programs

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 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.

Project Lifesaver: provides wrist transmitters to individuals who may wander due to cognitive impairment. Suitable for individuals living with Alzheimer's disease, autism, Down syndrome, acquired brain injury (VSW partners with Wellington County OPP and Guelph Police Service).

Spira Fire Victim Relief Fund: financial aid for those experiencing material loss due to a residential fire and are uninsured.

Holds offenders accountable, balances individual rights with responsibilities, and creates safer communities.

Crown Attorneys have dedicated time to spend with victims and witnesses in preparing cases. Victims of crime receive support through initiatives such as the Victim/Witness Assistance Program (V/WAP) and the Victim Crisis Assistance and Referral Services (VCARS) program. Call the Victim Support Line for information.

Services include:

• information and assistance to support participation in the criminal court process
• wervices begin once police have laid charges and continue until the court case is over
• case-specific information (court dates, bail conditions)
• court preparation
• needs assessment
• emotional support
• crisis intervention
• referrals to community agencies

Vulnerable Victims and Family Fund -- financial and court-based supports to enable victims of crime and families of homicide victims to attend court

• travel arrangements and expenses
• language interpretation
• real-time captioning or other equipment for victims with disabilities

Offers support and counselling to women who have experienced sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse or sexual harassment recently or in the past.

• individual / group counselling and support
• accompaniment to hospital / police / court
• advocacy / court preparation / community referrals
• assistance with victim impact statements
• sexual harassment support / accompaniment
• information on sexual assault / sexual harassment / childhood sexual abuse / incest / stalking
• information on legal / medical procedures and options
• client workshops on selected topics
• support for family / friends of sexually violated survivors
• public education / training / information sessions available on request
• client library and resource materials

Volunteer opportunities include:

• supporting sexual assault / incest survivors
• providing 24-hour on call service / public education / accompaniment

Services for women and their children who are experiencing or have experienced violence in a relationship, as well as those who have left abusive relationships or are considering leaving and want to establish violence-free lives in the community.

• risk assessment and safety planning
• access to emergency shelter
• individual and group counselling
• transitional planning
• health and wellness support
• legal information and referrals to police, lawyers, court, hospital
• advocacy and liaison with community agencies and resources
• help with custody, child support issues and getting financial support (eligibility must be established)
• accompaniment to police, court, lawyer, Crown Attorney/Legal Aid, Victim/Witness Assistance Program
• immediate telephone support and information through 24-hour Crisis Line

Support and counselling for women who have experienced human trafficking and sexual exploitation recently or in the past. Services are free, confidential, and non-judgmental. No ID required.

• immediate telephone support and information through 24-hour Crisis Line
• individual / group counselling and support
• accompaniment to hospital / police / court
• advocacy / court preparation / community referrals
• assistance with victim impact statements
• sexual harassment support / accompaniment
• risk assessments and safety planning
• information on and support through legal / medical / immigration processes and options
• information on sexual assault / sexual harassment / childhood sexual abuse / incest / stalking
• housing or emergency shelter support
• substance use community supports
• support for family / friends of sexually violated survivors
• facilitated culturally appropriate connections
• public education, training, targeted outreach
• client library and resource materials

Provides a trauma-informed, harm reduction, intersectional approach and response to crisis, working from an anti-racism, anti-oppression framework.

Additional e-mail address: adminsac@gwwomenincrisis.org

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 Update: Some services and support continue to be provided remotely - by e-mail, one-on-one phone support and video counselling. Visit Social Isolation Supports Online. This situation is being reviewed on an ongoing basis. The Crisis Line and shelter remain open.

Risk assessment, safety planning, one-on-one counselling, group counselling, workshops, emergency shelter, transitional planning, housing and legal support, custody and access support, victim impact statement and court preparation, advocacy and public education.

Programs include Marianne's Place (shelter), Transitional and Housing Support Program, Family Court Support Program, Rural Women's Support Program, Sexual Assault Centre, 24-hour Crisis Line, and the Anti-Human Trafficking Program.

Parole supervision for offenders released from federal prison.

• prepares community assessments for federal Inmates applying for temporary absence, parole or statutory release
• educates and serves as a liaison for crime victims regarding federal offenders

Emergency shelter for women and their children leaving abusive situations.

• shelter for those experiencing physical, emotional, sexual, verbal, financial abuse and / or stalking or human trafficking
• safety planning
• assistance with housing, legal, financial and custody issues
• individual and group counselling
• advocacy / accompaniment to police, court, hospital, lawyer, housing, etc
• referral to community supports / resources
• access to all other Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis programs
• education / training to community groups, schools, agencies on all aspects of woman abuse
• client library and resource materials

Note: Women and their children are provided with private bedrooms; single women share bedrooms; all other common spaces such as living rooms, bathrooms, kitchen, recreation and play areas are shared.

Safe steps is a 6- week foundational program for mothers where there has been domestic violence in the home. The focus of the program is to provide a good understanding on the impact of violence on children and youth and, learn strategies and tips to support children impacted by the violence. The 6 -week program consists of learning about stages of child development and brain development of children, exploration of children and youth experience of domestic violence, feelings and emotion regulation, boundaries, sexual abuse prevention, safety plans and safety planning with children and, self-esteem and resilience- building tools. Child- focussed activities are discussed with the mothers to support them with engaging their children in the journey of healing from the violence experienced in the home.

Program is offered virtually to mothers only, once a week for 1.5 hours over a period of 6- weeks. A letter of participation and certificate is provided to mothers who complete the program.

Please email safesteps@wcswr.org for more information or to register for the program.

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 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

Strong Moms, Safe Kids is a special parenting program for mothers who have been abused.

A program for women who have experienced abuse in their intimate relationship as they navigate the Family Court system. The Family Court Support Program empowers women by providing legal information, advocacy, accompaniments, support and appropriate referrals.

Provides services and support to people and their families who have experienced sexual violence

• Offers individual counselling to all genders (16 years of age and older) in both Kitchener and Cambridge
• 24 Hour Support Line and support groups, advocacy, referrals, and accompaniments for women to the hospital, police, and courthouse

Family Court Support Worker Program -

• 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

Anti-Human Trafficking Program - Wrap-around services to those experiencing sexual exploitation and those who are at risk within Waterloo Region.

• Counselling
• Advocacy
• Crisis support
• Safety planning
• Related accompaniments
• Practical assistance
• Support through legal processes
• Support with obtaining housing
• Connections to community supports
• Public education and outreach

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 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

Provides caring and compassionate support and advocacy for children and youth who are victims or witnesses of crime and their families - enabling and empowering them to use their voice, tell their story, help them be heard, and support them so that they can heal and develop into strong community members.

• Working collaboratively with partners in the community to establish a Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC) in Waterloo region - a seamless, child focused and best practice model for investigating report of child abuse and providing wraparound support to these young victims, witnesses and their families so they fell heard, helped and begin to heal from the trauma.
  
• Provide proactive education and awareness about the challenges experienced, and support available, as well as strategies to help reduce the risk of kids becoming victims.
  

Information and assistance to support participation in the criminal court process * services begin once police have laid charges and continue until the court case is over
Case-specific information (court dates, bail conditions)
Court preparation
Needs assessment
Emotional support
Crisis intervention
Referrals to community agencies

Vulnerable Victims and Family Fund -- financial and court-based supports to enable victims of crime and families of homicide victims to attend court * travel arrangements and expenses * language interpretation * real-time captioning or other equipment for victims with disabilities

Information and assistance to support participation in the criminal court process * services begin once police have laid charges and continue until the court case is over
Case-specific information (court dates, bail conditions)
Court preparation
Needs assessment
Emotional support
Crisis intervention
Referrals to community agencies

Vulnerable Victims and Family Fund -- financial and court-based supports to enable victims of crime and families of homicide victims to attend court * travel arrangements and expenses * language interpretation * real-time captioning or other equipment for victims with disabilities

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 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

Provides Information and assistance to support participation in and understanding of the criminal court process

• services begin once police have laid charges and continue until the court case is over
• information about victims' rights, the criminal justice process and their specific case (e.g., court dates)
• needs assessment and referrals to community agencies
• crisis intervention, emotional support, victim advocacy
• facilitates victim's input and liaises with Crown Attorneys, police, regarding bail, safety, resolution of charges, release conditions, publication bans, testimonial aids, trial preparation and court orientation
  
• information and support on Victim Impact Statements, Statement on Restitution
• facilitates access to court orders, such as bail conditions, probation orders, peace bonds
• debriefing and follow-up support

Vulnerable Victims and Family Fund -- financial and court-based supports to enable victims of crime and families of homicide victims to attend court

• travel arrangements and expenses
• language interpretation
• real-time captioning or other equipment for victims with disabilities

Offers individual and group counselling for women who have experienced emotional, physical and/or sexual abuse by a partner
* available in-person, by video or phone

Individual counselling:
* individual counselling and therapy services are tailored to meet the specific needs of each woman
* information on abuse, safety planning and community resources is also available
* services are free of charge and offered in Oakville, Burlington, Milton, and Georgetown

Education and support groups:
* eight week group provides an opportunity to decrease isolation and to gain insight into the experience and impact of living with abuse and control
* group is offered frequently, day and evening groups are available

Safety Zone Program

A 12-week group education and counselling program on domestic violence and non-abusive ways of resolving conflict

Victims and/or partners of the offender are provided with support including safety planning, referrals to community resources, and information on the offender's progress.

The program helps participants to:

• take full responsibility for their behaviour
• understand the effects of their behaviour on their partner and their children
• identify and change attitudes that lead to abusive behaviour
• learn to respect the opinions and wishes of all family members

There are separate programs for men and women:

• men's groups are located in Burlington and Milton
• women's groups are located in Burlington
• individual sessions are provided for those with same sex-partners

If you witness or suspect someone is a victim of human trafficking or sexual exploitation or if a victim comes to you there are agencies in Halton Region that offer help and support services:

Reporting to Police

• Halton Regional Police Service -- call 905-825-4777 and ask for the on-duty Vice unit officer
• Crime Stoppers of Halton -- 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS)

Crisis Support & Counselling

• SAVIS Crisis Line -- 24/7 Crisis line: 905-875-15555
• SAVIS Anti-Human Trafficking Services -- 24/7 Human Trafficking Crisis Support Line 905-483-0472
• Chrysalis Anti-Human Trafficking Network -- 1-866-528-7109 for 24/7 telephone counselling
• Distress Centre Halton -- 24/7 Crisis line Oakville 905-849-4541, Burlington 905-681-1488, North Halton 905-877-1211
• COAST (Crisis Outreach and Support Team) -- 24/7 Crisis line 1-877-825-9011
• Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline -- 1-833-900-1010

Peer Accompaniment or Mobile Support Workers

• SAVIS (Sexual Assault & Violence Intervention Services of Halton) -- 905-483-0472
• Elizabeth Fry Society of Peel Halton -- 905-459-1315 or 905-624-1755

Emergency Shelter and Practical Assistance

• Halton Women's Place -- 905-878-8555 (north Halton), 905-332-7892 (south Halton)
• Salvation Army Lighthouse Emergency Shelter -- 905-339-2918
• Halton Regional Police Service - Victim Services -- 905-825-4777 ext 5239

Health Care Support (sexual assault or abuse) Hospital Emergency Rooms:

• Georgetown Hospital -- 905-873-0111
• Joseph Brant Hospital -- 905-632-3737
• Milton District Hospital -- 905-878-2383
• Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital -- 905-845-2571
• Nina's Place, Regional Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Care Centre, Joseph Brant Hospital -- 905-336-4116

Support for people younger than 18 or have dependents younger than 18

• Halton Children's Aid Society -- 24/7 905-333-4441
• Halton Regional Police Service - Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Bureau

Major Services:

• 24 hour crisis lines for abused women
• HWP Chat provides online support, Mon-Sun 24 hrs, from a training Violence Against Women Counsellor
• safe shelter accommodation, food, and basic personal items for a maximum of 8 weeks for abused women and their dependent children
• individual and/or supportive group counselling at the shelter
• community agency information and referral when necessary
• court support for interim custody and restraining orders
• children's services
• emergency transportation to shelter, if necessary
• depart planning
• SafePet Program
• advocacy and public education around ending violence against women
• transitional support program
• accepts donations of goods for those in the shelter and those moving from the shelter to permanent housing (see list of needs here)

Family Court Support Worker Program

• 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

Schools programs

• EngageMENt 'male ally' program is a conversation-based 8-week program led by a male facilitator that guides male students through discussion around popular and sports culture, through a gender lens, and discusses what 'healthy masculinity' means, wrapping up by planning an experiential or service learning initiative (participants may receive up to 15 volunteer hours toward their Community Involvement requirement)