Searching for Victims Of Abuse 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

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

Volunteers fill baskets with items mothers living in shelters will need to start a new life * shelter assisted is YWCA of Kitchener-Waterloo

A treatment program for individuals that have or are experiencing family abuse and sexual assault.

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

SADVTC is 24/7 on call team of forensic nurses and social workers who respond to the needs of individuals who have experienced sexual assault, domestic violence and human trafficking. Emergency and short-term follow up care is also offered to those accessing the team.

Specialized assessments and individual, group & family therapy for children/youth who have experienced sexual abuse (including peer sexual assaults) or who have engaged in concerning or sexually harmful behaviours. Counselling is available to families impacted by a recent report. Parent/Caregiver involvement is encouraged throughout therapy. Consultation is also available to clients and professionals regarding sexual abuse treatment and healthy sexuality.

Revive provides supportive services to people of all genders who are impacted by sexual harm. This includes:

• support groups for male-identified survivors of sexual trauma
  
• educational and support groups for people who have offended sexually
  
• support groups for the partners of people who have sexually offended

Facilitated Dialogues are available to support anyone 18+ in preparing to have a conversation with another party about their experiences of sexual harm. Revive will meet with and support all parties choosing to have a dialogue to identify their needs, goals and readiness for this type of engagement.

Member agency of Support Services Network for Male Survivors in Ontario

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

Shelter Movers collaborates with local businesses and community services (e.g. shelters, police, schools, services) who refer clients that have decided to leave an abuser, and have a safer place to go. Shelter Movers makes all the arrangements to move and store survivors' belongings securely, on the clients' terms.

SADVTC is 24/7 on call team of forensic nurses and social workers who respond to the needs of individuals who have experienced sexual assault, domestic violence and human trafficking. Emergency and short-term follow up care is also offered to those accessing the team.

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

Specialized assessments and individual, group & family therapy for children/youth who have experienced sexual abuse (including peer sexual assaults) or who have engaged in concerning or sexually harmful behaviours. Counselling is available to families impacted by a recent report. Parent/Caregiver involvement is encouraged throughout therapy. Consultation is also available to clients and professionals regarding sexual abuse treatment and healthy sexuality.

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.

Individual and group counselling

Individual and group counselling

Assists women and children under 16 who are currently experiencing or have experienced family violence and abuse.

• Assist with safety planning
  
• Crisis counselling and ongoing support
  
• Information, resources, and advocacy
  
• Psychotherapy - individual and group
  
• Information about financial concerns, employment, housing, shelter, food bank, and programs to support women and children
  
• Accompaniment to court, lawyers appointments, police contact and legal proceedings
  
• Support groups
  

Counselling is offered in person/phone or by video for most programs. Staff continue to be in contact with developmental service clients. Walk-in mental health clinics (Mon in Mount Forest - call for appointment, Tue in Harriston - call for appointment, Wed in Guelph - in-person walk in, and Thu in Fergus - in-person walk in. For appointments, call 519-824-2431.

Distress Line is available 7 days a week, 8 am-10 pm: 519-821-3760 or 1-888-821-3760

Individual, couple, and family counselling:

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): confidential counselling and referral services for employees and their families
• Service coordination / case management services for people with a developmental disability and autism spectrum disorder across the age continuum
• Access Information and Referral - AIR- intake for children's developmental services for Guelph and Wellington County

Support Groups

Children:

• Breaking Free - children who have witnessed family violence
• Child and Youth Sexual Assault Team (CYSAT) - children who have been sexually abused, and youth at risk for sexually offending
• High Conflict Communication - separating or divorcing families to foster good communication with children and develop a parenting plan

Men and Women:

• Partner Assault Response Program - for people who perpetrate violence
• men's and women's groups - people surviving childhood sexual abuse
• trauma counselling and support groups
• women who have experienced domestic violence
• member agency of Support Services Network for Male Survivors in Ontario

Consultation and Training:
Employers and community groups with respect to interpersonal work-related issues, stress, parenting, problem solving, conflict management and other areas where personal issues impact work and family life. (EAP)

**Satellite offices in Mount Forest, Fergus and Harriston

Consultation and assistance to consider options:

• access to help for vulnerable older adults and their families, especially those who have experienced or are at risk of abuse
• referral to community resources and informal seniors groups when appropriate
• temporary safe bed available through selected retirement homes with regard to elder abuse
• consultation for health professionals through the response network is available

Crisis line that offers immediate phone support and information to women who are experiencing or have experienced any form of physical, emotional, verbal, financial or sexual abuse, including recent and/or childhood abuse.

• confidential and anonymous
• connection to appropriate services - safe shelter, safety planning, legal / medical / housing assistance, counselling
• referral / liaison with other community supports and resources
• support for family members and concerned friends

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.

Crisis services for all people, all genders, who have experienced sexual violence, Human Trafficking and / or domestic violence. May include physical examination, treatment of injuries, medications to prevent sexually transmitted diseases, information on pregnancy, choice of completing the Sexual Assault Evidence Kit.

• Emotional support, trauma counselling, safety planning and follow-up care.

Individuals are seen in a private room by specially trained sexual assault / domestic violence nurses to ensure confidential and sensitive treatment. Police are not called unless the patient indicates this choice.

Note: Guelph General Hospital is the designated sexual assault centre for the region

• Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for animal emergencies (for after-hours emergencies, call 519-824-3091 and follow the prompts to report the animal-related emergency)
• emergency boarding to pets, especially if an owner is being hospitalized, evicted or arrested-helping lost pets in our community, and continuing efforts to reunite pets with their owners as quickly as possible-surrender services on an urgent and case-by-case basis
• wildlife care and assistance through the GHS Wildlife Program-sheltering and adoption of stray or surrendered animals
• dog / cat licensing
• humane education, through March Break and Summer Critter Camps, PA Day Camps, birthday parties and Junior Humane Club
• animal by-law enforcement for the City of Guelph, Township of Centre Wellington, and in the Township of Guelph-Eramosa

DocuPet Program: Online licensing system that allows pet owners to register both dogs and cats with the City of Guelph, as well as dogs in other parts of Wellington County. Pet registrations may be purchased online at https://guelph.docupet.com/en_CA/ or in person at the Guelph Humane Society. Learn more at https://guelphhumane.ca/services/licensing-your-pet or www.GuelphHumane.ca/license

Pets in Transition Program: Pets in Transition is a collaboration between the Guelph Humane Society (GHS), Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis (WiC), Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington (CMHA), and other local vet partners and animal welfare organizations. Support women who have animals and are experiencing violence by offering pet safety planning, resources and referrals and temporary emergency foster placement and care for the pets of women seeking shelter from domestic violence, as well as individuals who are hospitalized for mental health. All services are free of charge.Staff of Guelph Humane Society seek the best foster match for the animal(s) from a pool of caregivers with specialized training in caring for animals who may have experienced or witnessed violence.