Searching for Victims Of Abuse Support Programs

Support services to recent as well as historical or childhood survivors of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and childhood sexual abuse and their families

• 24/7 crisis and support line
• free and confidential service
• individual and group counselling - by phone and secure video (Zoom)
• police, legal, and medical accompaniment
• court advocacy
• public education
• volunteer opportunities and crisis line training

Wait time for individual counselling is currently 9-12 months ; once clients have completed an intake, clients are able to join groups via Zoom, including meditation, yoga, youth survivor's circle, and survivor's circle

Housing for single women at risk

• job and life skills training
• counselling

Support for abused women living in Durham Region

• ongoing, longer-term counselling
• safety-planning
• advocacy

Programs and services that serve the mind, body and spirit of women from birth on

• supportive and emergency housing
• shelter for abused women
• support to locate permanent housing in the community
• information and referral services
• affordable, recreational and wellness programming

Information and emotional support for anyone who has experienced sexual violence or who needs information about sexual violence, services and community referrals

24hr Emergency Medical Services

• DV/SACC team at Lakeridge Health Oshawa available 24 hr medical emergencies for sexual assault and intimate partner violence victims

Sexual Assault

• male, female or transgender adult victims of sexual assault up to 12 days post assault, children under 16 years of age up to 7 days post-assault examination, treatment, evidence collection, safety planning, referrals, follow-up

Domestic Violence

• for intimate partner, adult male, female or transgender victims (do not need to have injuries) - documentation and photographs of injuries, safety planning, referrals, follow-up

Information and Counselling

• individual counselling for adult male or female victims of sexual assault and/or domestic violence within the past year

COVID19 -- In person, video or phone sessions are available in response to client preference

Therapy, counselling for individuals, couples and families regardless of religious beliefs, and young parent support services:

• assist victims of family violence to obtain protection and safety
• group programs for abused women, children and teens exposed to violence
• parenting groups for young parents
• one on one parenting support and supportive counselling
• life skills and social groups for young parents
• couple and family therapy
• trauma counselling
• psychotherapy for mild to moderate mental health issues

Head office in Oshawa

Satellite office in Ajax
250 Bayly Street W, Unit 22
Ajax, ON L1S 3V4A

Member Agency of Catholic Charities, a Member Agency of Family Service Ontario, and a Member Agency of Ontario Young Parents Association

In-person services suspended ​

For women in Durham Region

• providing service by phone 905-728-0978 ext 221
• individual consultations over the phone with Legal/Family Court Support Workers
• free summary legal advice from family law lawyers available via phone or video conferencing
• information and assistance with court documents
• virtual legal information group sessions on a range of topics

For women outside of Durham Region

• access a family law lawyer for free summary legal advice through Virtual Legal Clinic - to book an appointment, call 1-866-516-3116 ext.235, or email intake@LukesPlace.ca

Assist female abuse survivors and their children as they deal with family law issues

• individual information, support, guidance and referral on family law system
• group sessions offered including Early Information Sessions, Legal Information Workshops
• access to extensive print and video resources
• weekly pro-bono summary advice clinic to receive lawyer's opinion based on facts of situation
• help with legal preparation and preparing for court
• consultation, education and training to the service community and general public

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

Formerly known as DRIVEN

COVID19 - All support is currently provided virtually, by phone or video

Access to multiple supports in one location for women experiencing abuse and gender-based violence

On-site Services - subject to change

• abuse/violence counselling, sexual violence counselling
• parenting support in regards to children witnessing/experiencing abuse, advice and support of Durham Children's Aid Society
• help developing plan to safely leave, safety planning, injury documentation, admission to shelter
• family law support and guidance
• connection to government financial assistance, help identifying housing options, support in completion of subsidized housing paperwork
• quarterly hygiene bags for those in financial need, clothing vouchers, access to language interpreters, and referrals to other needed supports

Off-site Services (accessed over phone)

• legal support, legal consultation with family lawyer
• Legal Aid Ontario certificates and summary legal advice (if eligible)
• admission to shelter
• young parent support services
• employment support
• specialized addictions counselling
• HIV, sexual health, and drug use information and support
• culturally specific services, Settlement Services for newcomers to Canada
• monthly food boxes for those in financial need
• financial assistance to address immediate safety concerns (if eligible)
• police support
• Outreach Services, a service of the Student Association at Durham College/ UOIT, and other referrals

Video chat connection to Safety Network Durham is available through the Welcome Centre Immigrant Services in Ajax, the Welcome Centre Immigrant Services in Pickering, New Life Neighbourhood Centre in Oshawa, and North House in Uxbridge

COVID19 - Remains open * all programs and services operational * staff available to answer crisis help line, 905-728-7311 or toll free 1-800-263-3725, and can provide crisis counselling, support and safety planning

Shelter support and crisis counselling services include:

• secure emergency shelter for women and children fleeing abuse of any kind whether physical, emotional, sexual, or financial
• up to 27 crisis beds available
• confidential 24-hour crisis and supportive assistance by telephone or in person at the shelter
• emergency transportation to the shelter
• food, clothing and basic personal necessities
• supportive counselling for women, safety planning
• children's program staff to support your children
• help finding community resources and supports
• legal and court support referrals and information about your rights
• assistance with special priority for rent geared to income housing
• language interpretation can be arranged with notice
• crisis counselling and transitional support
• Community Support Workers provide support to women and their children who are currently involved in an abusive relationship, are planning on leaving or have left a partner and would like further options to move forward
• help establish short and long-term goal planning, based on individual needs

Support and follow-up are provided through telephone support, email, home visits or an alternative safe location to meet

• short-term supportive counselling
• goal planning
• safety planning
• advocacy, resources and referrals
• housing support groups for women and youth/children

Community Counselling

• intake, assessment, referral
• short-term individual, couple, family and group counselling
• professional counselling for a variety of issues including:
  • substance abuse, problem gambling, other addictions
  • anxiety, depression
  • grief/loss
  • anger/emotion management
  • personal stress, self-esteem
  • communication, couple/family conflict, extended family issues
  • separation/divorce, blended family issues
  • abuse/violence, sexual assault/abuse, trauma
  • job stress, workplace violence/conflict
  • school problems
  • balancing work and family life
  • caring for elderly parents

Service is offered in-person at various locations throughout Durham Region, or remotely by phone or video

Partner Assault Response (PAR) (see separate listing)

• mandated structured group program for men and women who have been found and/or pled guilty to domestic violence

Employee Assistance
Available for people whose employers contract with Family Services to provide employee assistance services and supports as part of their employee benefits program

• intake, assessment and referral
• counselling for employees and their family members
• critical incident counselling and support services
• organizational support and wellness seminars for employee groups

Adult Protective Services (see separate listing)

• assessment, information and referral
• service coordination and system navigation
• case management
• advocacy and supportive counseling for adults with a developmental disability

Member agency of Support Services Network for Male Survivors in Ontario (central region)

First Nations and Inuit Health Non-Insured Health Benefits Counselling

Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) counselling for children and youth who are victims of internet sexual exploitation and their immediate family

Retired or medically released Canadian Forces personnel and their families

Counselling, consultation or referrals on self esteem, depression anxiety, eating disorders * marital issues, sex therapy, communication * divorce recovery, anger management, loss and grief issues * pregnancy and parenting, postpartum depression * stress and time management * mental health issues * sexual, verbal and physical abuse * home visits * mediation services for couples

Specialized Human Trafficking Crisis Intervention counsellors help victims/survivors with

• case management
• safety planning
• navigation of services and bureaucracies
• application to Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+) to assist with meeting basic needs, and expenses as a result of being trafficked (no direct reimbursement to clients, expenses paid directly by the program) such as counselling, treatment etc.

Support services are available to any self identified victims of crime, regardless of whether they have reported to police

Services include

• on-site early intervention and crisis intervention
• needs assessment
• safety planning
• referrals to community services, assistance with navigating bureaucracies
• enhanced support for vulnerable victims
• assistance with applications to VQRP+

Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+)
Assistance with emergency expenses directly related to the crime, 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
• funeral expenses for victims of homicide

Additional assistance for victims of human trafficking includes

• storage locker
• tattoo removal
• treatment at a recovery facility

No direct reimbursement to victims, funds paid directly to service providers

COVID19 - Remains open * outreach workers provide counselling in person and by phone

Emergency shelter

• free and confidential services to women who are or have experienced abuse
• access to resources and support services
• promote public awareness
• 24-hour crisis line

Long-term recovery and outreach programs designed to guide sexually exploited or trafficked women and youth, or those at identifiable risk of becoming sexually exploited/trafficked, into full rehabilitation and re-integration into society

Day Program

• successfully resolve past issues of abuse and addictions (if applicable)
• engage in healthy relationships
• manage emotions in a healthy, functioning manner
• improve quality of life and increased level of self-esteem and self-compassion
• break the cycle of abuse in their own lives
• reach a higher level of education and employability skills

Extra-Curricular Program Offerings

• each participant can choose from several activities outside of SafeHope Home that they would like to engage in after programs
• some program offerings have been horseback riding, music, kickboxing, dance and rock-climbing lessons

Stage Two Housing

• provides survivors of human trafficking a safe and supportive home to reside in while working on their recovery in conjunction with the day program
• develop basic living skills
• encourages independent living in a roommate environment
• each participant has their own bedroom and can come and go from the house freely, while respecting house rules and curfews
• House Manager resides in the home with the young women
• staffed with support workers that are available during waking hours to support the girls in any way needed

Outreach

• for those individuals who have experienced or are currently involved in the sexual trade or for those who do not fit the criteria or have chosen not to commit to our Residential/Day Program
• Outreach team will provide ongoing case management and individual support and connecting with vital community resources

Follow-Care

• supports all survivors whether they choose to continue to their journey of recovery in the community, have left or have graduated SafeHope Home's long-term residential program or who have previously resided in the residential home after they have graduated from the program
• participants in follow-care are monitored as needed and receive assistance in transitioning from a residential setting to independence
• able to remain involved and access services from the medical doctor, dentist and trauma therapist they saw while at SafeHope Home
• all services available to outreach participants are available to follow-care participants upon exiting the residential home
• participants monitored by staff on a scale deemed appropriate per individual need

Community based supports for children, youth and families

Babies Best Start / Healthy Babies Healthy Children
Home visiting program for parents of children birth-3 years, includes support in areas such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, healthy attachment, healthy eating, safety, child development, positive parenting, parent health and well-being and community resources; home visitors represent a variety of cultures and languages

Community Support
Culturally sensitive early intervention mental health services for children birth-12 years and their families, in various locations such as schools, community agencies, shelters, and EarlyOn programs; areas of service include parenting education and groups, children's groups, brief counselling, anti-bullying and social skills

Gender Based Violence Program
Supports for youth and young adults 12-29 years, who are at risk of or have been involved in human trafficking or sex trade, including trauma therapy, case management and service navigation, peer support, support group, and community outreach and education; contact GBVinfo@stridestoronto.ca or 416-438-3697 ext 13265

Growing Healthy Together Prenatal Program
Information and support for pregnant women with risk factors linked to low birth weight

Youth Outreach Worker Program
Assists at-risk youth 12-21 years and their families in East Toronto connect with mental health and other community services; includes individualized programming and support to overcome language and cultural barriers; also intensive intervention in areas such as mental health, addictions, trauma, relationship or family violence and/or human and sex trafficking

See separate listings for residential treatment programs (intake through CARS, 416-482-7884), and Preschool Speech and Language Program (intake through Surrey Place)

Programs and services may be provided in various locations

COVID19 Housing and other workers can be reached by telephone, fax or email; group programs, and community support and outreach offices temporarily closed

Assistance for women in accessing and maintaining safe, affordable housing, and in developing community support networks, including support for women with children who have experienced or survived violence, practical support to women who have been homeless or lived in poverty for a long period, assistance for women with mental health or substance abuse issues to live independently in the community, and support for women with disabilities

• information, referrals, community links including immigration and legal information
• family advocacy
• individual and group support
• workshops and seminars
• community development and outreach

Transitional Housing Support Program
Includes assistance with application process for subsidized housing in Toronto, as well as Durham, Peel and York regions

• safety planning, crisis support, advocacy
• connections to community resources
• assistance with finding furniture and household items

Registered Charitable, Non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the abuse and neglect of older adults, under the Ontario Strategy to Combat Elder Abuse

Seniors Safety Line - Free confidential 365/24/7 support line for seniors experiencing or at-risk of abuse including physical, mental, sexual, neglect, and financial * partnered with Assaulted Women's Helpline (AWHL)

COVID19 Office temporarily closed to walk-in service; virtual services available by phone, webinar, and online conferencing; contact for information on availability of in-person services, or visit website

• call 416-439-7111 ext 107 for confidential intake for counselling, to register for webinars and workshops, or for information and referrals; for general inquiries email outreach@scarboroughwomenscentre.ca
• contact for information on workshops held at Toronto Public Library locations

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Support services for marginalized women, including counselling, information and referral, and mentoring

• individualized access to trained volunteer mentors and tutors for up to 1 year
• educational webinars and workshops on topics such as healthy relationships, anger, self-esteem, family law, life skills, leadership development, systems navigation
• information brochures on resources, safety planning, for specific groups, including online resources
• outreach

Building Strong Futures (BSF)
Young women's outreach program for youth 13-19 years, at schools and community organizations in Scarborough

• workshops, leadership development
• addresses issues such as healthy relationships, career planning and mental health

Expanding the Reach (ETR)
Outreach program for women with disabilities

• workshops on issues such as self esteem, assertiveness, healthy boundaries and relationships, and economic security
• leadership development opportunities

COVID19 -- services continue by phone and email; no walk-in service


Information and Orientation Services -- settlement services for newcomers who have been in Canada for less than 4 years, including landed immigrants, Convention refugees and foreign-born Canadian citizens

• orientation, information sessions, supportive counselling
• information and referral including housing, access to community resources
• employment assessment and preparation, job fairs, computer with free Internet access
• advocacy, interpretation
• English conversation classes
• participates in LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) in English, upon assessment by YMCA of Greater Toronto -- see separate entry; care for newcomer children -- childminding for parents attending sessions

Newcomer Settlement Program

• volunteer recruitment and training
• outreach, advocacy
• cultural activities

Violence Against Women

• individual and family counselling for assaulted women and children
• support group for abused women, educational workshops
• assists victims of domestic violence who are at risk of abuse
• domestic violence prevention workshops

Men Make a Difference -- culturally appropriate group sessions to learn techniques for developing healthy relationships, resolve conflict, and cope with anger

Seniors Services

• recreational activities
• support groups for isolated Afghan senior women
• assistance accessing community resources

Residence and emergency shelter

• crisis intervention
• counselling for residents

COVID-19 -- counselling conducted virtually and in-person

• individual counselling, transitional housing and support, violence against women counselling, Together We Can Youth Mentorship sessions run virtually or in-person
• START for Life Skills Training Groups are facilitated in-person, pending public health advisories
• Stop Now And Plan for Black African & Caribbean Kids Groups are facilitated virtually
• all other in-person sessions are suspended

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Counselling

General counselling -- clinical support for individuals and families

Violence Against Women Counselling and Transitional Housing and Support - for women and children who have experienced gender-based violence

• clinical counselling, crisis intervention, safety planning, advocacy and referral
• supportive counselling to help access housing, safety and transition planning, educational groups, court accompaniment

Youth Counselling -- clinical counselling for at-risk or high risk youth age 12-21 years

• facilitates re-engagement with a caring adult, connects youth with supportive services and enhances their identity, sense of culture and belonging

Intervention Groups

SNAP BACK (Stop Now And Plan for Black, African & Caribbean Kids) -- 13-week cognitive behavioural program for children ages 6-11 years with disruptive behavioural problems and their parents or caregivers

• instruction for children about stopping to think before they act, making better choices
• parents/caregivers learn effective parenting/caregiving skills including how to support children in decision-making
• includes individual and family sessions and in-school support

START For Life (Success Through Aggression Replacement Training) -- life skills development

• 10-weeks, skills training sessions with a cognitive behavioural intervention and prevention group that supports individuals 18 years or older to strengthen positive social skills, anger control and healthy decision-making

Socio-educational Groups

• Women Empowering Women Support Network: life skills educational activities
• Gentlemen's Forum: life skills educational activities for men
• Caribbean Lime: life skills and recreational programs for individuals 50 years or older, including book club, bingo, Lime Time and social check-ins

Youth Support -- social and educational programs for ages 9-24 years

• Together We Can Youth Mentorship Program -- Black, African, Caribbean youth or others develop the social skills to be successful in education, civic engagement and employment through interaction with positive role models

Youth Development & Education

Rise Above Youth -- for youth ages 14-18 years, self-development and self-awareness program

• group activities and discussions, focus on building self-esteem and self-worth
• online platform with games for connecting

Defy Your Label Boys & Girls -- support, inspiration, and guidance for ages 9-13

• promotes cultural experiences
• healthy communication, self-esteem, prosocial skills
• online platform with games for connecting

Education -- some programs have fees

• tutoring for grades 1-12, in math, English, science
• programming in STEM and coding

Social/Recreational

March break and Camp Tropicana for children and youth age 4-13 years