Searching for Elder Abuse

Functions as a regional office, with the head office located in Toronto

• Educates professionals and the public about elder abuse
• Develops educational and training programs for professional, caregivers and the general public
• Provides educational training for front line professionals who work directly with seniors to prepare and guide them in recognizing and responding to elder abuse
• Advocates for legislative action to meet the needs of victims and their families, and to deal with perpetrators of abuse

• Responsible for the investigations of crimes against seniors
• Offers specialized information relating to legal issues surrounding abuse
• Offers presentations on scams and awareness to elders

Note: Not all incidents are criminal in nature. While conducting investigations, the Crimes Against Seniors Unit follows the direction of the victimized older or vulnerable person to bring their concerns and the investigation to a satisfactory resolution

COVID-19 -- in-house programs are cancelled

• Vehicle Donation Program -- accept cars, trucks, motorcycles donations
• call 1-855-234-5677 to arrange pick-up

----------------------------------------

Assists Canadians affected by the life-long trauma of abuse

• education and advocacy
• supports child and adult victims of abuse
• elder abuse awareness and prevention program

Boutique - open to the public

• offers gently used clothing, accessories and housewares sold at reasonable prices

Huggam's Hope Memorial -- receives deceased abandoned babies and provides memorial and burial

Dreambuilds -- provides funding to agencies to make facilities more victim-friendly

COVID19 In-person and virtual services available; phone and virtual counselling to frontline health workers and their families, and others members of the public, in Ontario; also assists permanent residents, convention refugees, student visa and work permit holders with Employment Insurance (EI)and Canada Emergency Resource Benefit (CERB) applications

-----------

Linguistically and culturally sensitive counselling and settlement services for individuals and families

Counselling and Psychotherapy
Individual, group, couple, marital and family counselling and mental health psychotherapy, for issues such as elder abuse, family violence, wife assault, male batterers, incest, sexual assault, offenders, bereavement, problem gambling, substance abuse; crisis intervention; referrals to community partners as necessary

• consultation for human service providers
• satellite offices (limited hours, by appointment only) in Toronto (602 Queen St W), Markham (5665 14th Ave), Mississauga (720 Burnhamthorpe Rd W, Unit 2), and Unionville (600 Village Pkwy)

Family programs, including parenting and family life education, and youth counselling and leadership development

Partner Assault Response (PAR)
12 week group education and counselling program on domestic violence and non-abusive ways of resolving conflict

• victims/partners of the offender provided with support including safety planning, referrals to community resources, and information on offender's progress
• group counselling in Cantonese, Mandarin and Vietnamese

Settlement Program
Orientation, needs and eligibility assessments, interpretation and translation; information and referral topics include immigration, issues of concern to refugees and foreign domestic workers, citizenship, social assistance benefits, legal aid, housing, child care, English classes, and education and employment training

• computer access
• job search and employment counselling
• assistance in accessing services

Housing and Transitional Support Program
Counselling, information and referrals, crisis intervention and case management for women who have experienced violence, and their children

• community services information on issues such as housing, legal, financial, health care, immigration, children's services
• settlement support including assistance setting up safety plan, ongoing counselling and support

Manages financial and/or personal affairs of persons who are mentally incapable where no one else is able to do so

• makes medical treatment decisions for persons who are mentally incapable where no one else is able to do so
• investigates allegations of serious harm against vulnerable adults
• administers certain estates of persons who die without a will and without any family in Ontario
• deals forfeited personal property not located in, on or under forfeited land
• as the Accountant of the Superior Court of Justice retains all money, mortgages and securities paid into, or lodged with, the Court on behalf of minors and litigants
• protects the public interest in charitable property
• invests perpetual care funds of some cemeteries
• free power of attorney kits -- contact local office or visit website
• brochures available online

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)

24-hour telephone crisis and support line, includes emotional support, safety planning and information and referrals; live chat includes confidential and anonymous online counselling

Advocates for and supports shelters and transition houses by providing practical training, culturally appropriate resources and opportunities to network in a supportive environment