Searching for Child Abuse Services

The regional sexual assault and domestic violence care centre of Halton

• team is made up of Registered Nurses (RN), Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) and physicians who provide care on an emergency basis
• RN's work with paediatricians when caring for children
• a registered social worker is also available
• offers choice of care
• services can be provided with or without police involvement

Services include:

• acute care for an assault has occurred within the last 12 days including crisis intervention and emotional support, documentation of assault and injuries, safety planning, and referrals to community agencies for further support
• non-acute care for an assault has occurred more than 12 days ago
• follow-up care
• sexual assault
• domestic abuse

• You do not have to be certain that abuse or neglect has occurred in order to report it.
• You can report anonymously.
• You are protected from liability resulting from any report made in good faith and on the basis of reasonable grounds.
• The duty to report applies to all children ages 0-15.
• You are encouraged to report any known or suspected child abuse or neglect for youth aged 16 and 17.

Services include:
Adoption/Adoption Disclosure

• recruitment, assessment, support, pre- and post-counselling to adoptive parents
• match children and youth with adoptive parents
• provide adoption disclosure information and counselling to adopted persons over 18 years of age and their birth parents

Child Protection

• mandated by the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 (CYFSA) to protect children from abuse and neglect
• provide emergency after hours service for children and youth who are at risk

Community-based Services

• workers co-located in various community locations, e.g., schools, counselling agencies, the Halton Regional Police Service, to provide protection services to at-risk children and youth

Connecting Youth to the Community

• life skills programs to assist youth in the transition to independent living

Family Support

• assessment and supportive services to parents to maintain children and youth in their homes and when children and youth come into care, which expedites their return home
• supervise access for children, youth and their families, when required

Foster Care

• recruit, train and support resource parents
• match children and youth to appropriate placements

Fundraising

• for programs and services not covered by government funding that help the children and youth served by the Society

Volunteer Programs

• special events volunteers, summer camp volunteers, mentors/special friends, seasonal, Food for Life volunteer, volunteer drivers

For resources, including guidelines on what age a child can be left alone or for babysitting another child, see resources here

There is also a North Halton Office in Milton

Responsible for investigating all reported cases of sexual assault as well as child abuse cases where the following has occurred:

• there is serious injury inflicted on a child
• the child has previously been a victim of abuse that has been investigated by police or the Halton Children's Aid Society
• the suspect under investigation has been previously investigated for abuse

CASA investigators are specially trained in:

• major case management
• search warrants
• interviewing
• sexual assault investigations
• offences against children

The CASA Unit maintains close working relationships with a number of community-based agencies, including:

• Nina's Place - Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Care Centre
• Halton Children's Aid Society
• Sexual Assault & Violence Intervention Services (SAVIS)
• HRPS Victim Services Unit

• Intake - the first person a client will speak to, whether by the Crisis Line or walk-in. The Intake Worker will complete the Intake package with the client to determine the appropriate programs and services
• Transitional Support Services - provides supportive, individual long and short-term transitional planning, safety planning, advocacy and referral services to individuals who are seeking violence-free lives and a holistic well-being

• Women's Program: Women's individual and/or group counselling, support advocacy, liaison for women living in high-risk situations
  
• Child & Youth Program: Children's individual and/or group counselling, support advocacy, liaison for children living in high-risk situations
  
• Youth Lodge: 6-bed co-ed residence for youth ages 12-18 experiencing serious difficulties in their lives
  
• Men's Program: Support and counselling available for men who have been abused or are abusive
  
• Emergency Shelter: 24-hour safe shelter for abused individuals and their children; provides in-house individual and group counselling
  
• Next Step Housing: Individuals and their children who require housing on reserve may stay up to 2 years Individual and group counselling supports are available
  
• Community Education: Available to present information to the community regarding the dynamics of abuse and its effects on individuals, families, and communities

• housing
  
• education
  
• health
  
• mental health
  
• legal
  
• employment
  
• life skills
  
• personal goals & well being

Services include:
Adoption/Adoption Disclosure

• recruitment, assessment, support, pre- and post-counselling to adoptive parents
• match children and youth with adoptive parents
• provide adoption disclosure information and counselling to adopted persons over 18 years of age and their birth parents

Child Protection

• mandated by the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 (CYFSA) to protect children from abuse and neglect
• provide emergency after hours service for children and youth who are at risk

Community-based Services

• workers co-located in various community locations, e.g., schools, counselling agencies, the Halton Regional Police Service, to provide protection services to at-risk children and youth

Connecting Youth to the Community

• life skills programs to assist youth in the transition to independent living

Family Support

• assessment and supportive services to parents to maintain children and youth in their homes and when children and youth come into care, which expedites their return home
• supervise access for children, youth and their families, when required

Foster Care

• recruit, train and support resource parents
• match children and youth to appropriate placements

Fundraising

• for programs and services not covered by government funding that help the children and youth served by the Society

Volunteer Programs

• special events volunteers, summer camp volunteers, mentors/special friends, seasonal, Food for Life volunteer, volunteer drivers

For resources, including guidelines on what age a child can be left alone or for babysitting another child, see resources here

There is also a South Halton/Head office in Burlington

This is a general overview of Crisis & Distress resources, serving Halton region

• for a larger list of resources available, visit General Crisis Intervention Hotlines or Distress Phone Lines
• for emergency shelters in Halton and surrounding area, see here

In an emergency call 9-1-1 for police, fire and/or ambulance

Other three-digit (N11) helplines serving Halton

• 811 - Health Care Information & Service Navigation Assistance (Health Connect Ontario)
• 711 - Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS, relay service, IP-relay)
• 611 - Telephone Service Provider
• 511 - Provincial Road Conditions & Tow Truck Services, in restricted Tow Zones (Ontario 511)
• 411 - Commercial & Residential Directory Assistance (YellowPages)
• 311 - Regional Services Intake & Information, Public & Family Health Information Line (Access Halton)
• 211 - Community Information, Resource & Service Navigation (Ontario 211)

General Crisis & Distress

YOUTH (17 yrs & younger)

ROCK (Reach Out Centre for Kids)

• 905-878-9785
• for children and youth in crisis, and caregivers/community members
• more information

ADULTS (16 yrs & older)

COAST (Crisis Outreach and Support Team)

• 1-877-825-9011
• telephone support and mobile intervention program for those who are in crisis and have a mental health concern
• more information

ALL AGES

Distress Centre Halton

• Oakville: 905-849-4541
• Burlington: 905-681-1488
• North Halton: 905-877-1211
• Hamilton: 905-561-5800
• more information

Wellness Together Canada

• Adults: 1-866-585-0445 or text WELLNESS to 741741​
• Youth: 1-888-668-6810 or text WELLNESS to 686868
• PocketWell App
• many online resources
• more information

Addiction & Gambling

ConnexOntario

• 1-866-531-2600 or text CONNEX to 247247
• online chat
• email
• access to addiction, mental health and problem gambling services
• more information

Caregivers

Ontario Caregiver Organization

• Toll free helpline 1-833-416-2273 (CARE)
• supports Ontario's caregivers by being the one point of contact for information about existing services and supports
• online chat
• peer and community support groups
• more information

Children and Youth Mental Health

One Stop Talk (available Mon-Fri 12 noon-8 pm & Sat 12 noon-4 pm)

• 1-855-416-8255
• connect directly with a counsellor through online chat, video and voice
• offers children, youth (within 18 years of age) and their families immediate access to free mental health support through single session counselling and ensures direct referral to additional service when needed
• services are provided through an integrated network of infant, child and youth mental health agencies across Ontario
• more information

Kids Help Phone

• 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868
• online chat
• bilingual help-line provides free counselling, information and referral on anonymous basis to children and youth
• ages 5-30
• more information

Good2Talk (post-secondary school students)

• 1-866-925-5454
• provides information and referrals about services and supports for mental health, addictions and well-being on and off campus or speak anonymously with a professional counsellor
• more information

Naseeha (available daily, 12 noon-12 midnight)

• Helpline and Text line: 1-866-627-3342
• Muslim youth helpline serving Muslim and non-Muslim youth across North America
• a safe zone for youths and individuals to talk and get the help they need
• provides workshops, web therapy sessions, and phone & texting mental health support
• more information

First Responders

Boots on the Ground

• Toll free 1-833-677-2668
• peer support for first responders
• services offered to retired and serving police officers, firefighters, EMS and corrections officers across the province
• able to provide in person peer support 24/7 in the GTA
• more information

Indigenous peoples

Hope for Wellness Helpline

• 1-855-242-3310
• online chat
• a mental health helpline, telephone or online chat, for Indigenous peoples
• provides immediate, culturally relevant crisis counselling support
• refers callers to additional supports if needed
• more information

TALK4HEALING

• Helpline and Text line: 1-855-554-4325 (1-855-554-HEAL)
• online chat
• 24/7 help, support and resources for Indigenous women, by Indigenous women, all across Ontario
• services in 14 Indigenous languages
• more information

Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line

• 1-866-925-4419
• immediate and culturally appropriate counselling supports to former students who are experiencing distress
• more information

2SLGBTQ+

LGBT YouthLine (available Sun to Fri, 4 pm-9:30 pm)

• Text 647-694-4275
• email: helpline@youthline.ca
• online chat
• peer support by email, text and online chat
• information and referral
• anonymous and confidential
• Youth Line blog
• referral database of LGBTQ+ youth services
• more information

Trans Lifeline (available daily 5 pm-1 am)

• Toll free 1-877-330-6366
• a hot-line that is staffed by transgender people for transgender people in crisis
• based out of the USA
• more information

Veterans

Veterans Affairs Canada Assistance Service

• Toll free 1-800-268-7708
• TTY 1-800-567-5803
• psychological support for veterans, former RCMP members, their families and caregivers
• more information

VETS (Veterans Emergency Transition Services) Canada

• 1-888-228-3871
• for Canadian veterans who are in crisis, at risk of becoming homeless or are homeless and their family members
• more information

Sexual Assault and Domestic/Family Violence

YOUTH

Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting (see full listing here)

For children in need of care/protection, report to either:

• Halton Children's Aid Society toll free 1-866-607-5437
• Halton Regional Police Service, Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Bureau at (non-emergency) 905-825-4747 ext 8970

ADULTS

Halton Womens Place

• South Halton: 905-332-7892
• North Halton: 905-878-8555
• 24 hour crisis lines and shelter for abused women and their dependent children, emergency transportation to shelter available
• more information

SAVIS (Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services)

• 24 hour crisis line: 905-875-1555
• 24 hour anti-human trafficking crisis support line: 289-837-3999
• free individual counselling for ages 14 and up
• support services for friends and family members
• advocacy, support and accompaniment to Nina's Place, the police station and court
• more information

Femaide

• 1-877-336-2433 (1-877-FEMAIDE)
• provincial crisis line and confidential services for Francophone women who are victims or survivors of any form of violence or are in distress
• crisis intervention, support and referral to community agencies
• more information

Assaulted Women's Helpline

• 1-866-863-0511 or text #SAFE (#7233) on your Bell, Rogers, Fido or Telus mobile phone
• telephone crisis counselling, emotional support, information and referrals to emergency shelters, legal information and community services
• ages 16 and up
• more information

Seniors Safety Line

• 1-866-299-1011
• 24 hour crisis and support line for seniors in Ontario who have experienced any type of abuse or neglect
• more information

By law, any individual (including professionals, officials and members of the public) witnessing or with reasonable grounds to suspect an act of child abuse, neglect, abandonment, desertion or need for protection must report the incident to:
Halton Children's Aid Society, 905-333-4441

If the matter is urgent and the Children's Aid Society cannot be reached, call Halton Regional Police Service, 905-825-4777 ext 8970

The Duty to Report applies to any child who is, or appears to be, under the age of 16 years, and to children already under a child protection order who are 16 and 17 years old

On January 1, 2018, Ontario raised the age of protection from 16 to 18. A professional, or member of the public, who is concerned that a 16 or 17 year old is or may be in need of protection may, but is not required to, make a report to a society and the society is required to assess the reported information

The Duty to Report applies even when the information is otherwise confidential or privileged, and overrides any other provincial statutes, specifically any provisions that would otherwise prohibit someone from making a disclosure.
Visit Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect: It's Your Duty which provides definitions as well as responsibilities of professionals, officials and members of the public under the Child and Family Services Act (or download brochure here)

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

• EarlyON Child and Family Centres - check www.earlyonbrantfordbrant.ca for program information

• financial assessment
• drug and alcohol assessment
• assistance with adolescent and child behaviour, personal issues, marital and couple issues, separation and divorce, trauma and grief, childhood abuse recovery, stress & anxiety, financial stress, custody & access & financial mediation for separating partners

• help protect children from abuse and neglect by caregivers
  
• support families through early intervention
  
• Indigenous teams available

• specialized, specially trained, healthcare team of nurses
• collection of forensic evidence
• crisis intervention
• documentation and photographs
• physical examination and treatment of injuries
• testing and prophylaxis for sexually transmitted infections (STI), pregnancy and HIV
• referrals to community agencies for counselling
• no charge for any services or medication

• addictions
  
• eating disorders
  
• trauma resolution
  
• post-traumatic stress disorder
  
• people who grew up in troubled families
  
• assessing childhood trauma
  
• therapy
  
• education
  
• workshops are offered on many topics (on hold due to COVID)
  
• treatment of food addiction
  
• contact person for AA (12-step program) and Over-eaters Anonymous

• confidential mutual support group provides aid and support for adult children living or have lived with a problem drinker, or other dysfunctional families
• provides mutual understanding, discussion, and emotional support

• Adoption Services
• Community Education
• Counselling and Referral Services
• Crisis Intervention
• Investigation of Abuse and Neglect
• Ongoing Support for Families
• Residential Services
• Sexual Abuse Survivor Services
• Training for Foster Parents