Searching for Victims Of Abuse Support Programs

Emergency shelter, capacity 32

• counselling and referrals
• advocacy and follow up
• court and immigration escort
• children's program and counselling
• legal and housing assistance

Transitional Housing and Outreach Support Program (TH&O)
Community-based support in obtaining affordable housing, including counselling, assistance accessing food supports, outreach, workshops and speakers bureau

Provides four hours of free legal advice to those who qualify by phone or video chat from one or more lawyers on referral list

• service available anytime after assault has occurred
• Does not provide legal representation

Temporary pet safekeeping for those fleeing family violence or human trafficking

Organization working to end gender-based violence and human trafficking through advocacy and education

• access to referrals, resources, support, and safety planning information for survivors of gender-based violence, sexual exploitation and human trafficking
• training for service providers, educators and parents on recognizing and preventing sexual exploitation and human trafficking
• workshops and presentations for youth in schools, youth shelters and group homes to prevent gender-based violence, sexual exploitation or human trafficking in Canada -- focus on root causes and anti-oppression, trained trauma counsellor for on-site disclosures
• Gender-Based Violence Resource Centre and Human Trafficking Info Hub -- online resources for the prevention of gender-based violence/human trafficking

Crisis intervention and culturally sensitive counselling, support and referral * support for families and friends of survivors * support groups * information on alternatives to legal justice system * court support, accompaniment and advocacy program * research, public education, workshops * comprehensive volunteer training * all services confidential * trans-positive environment

Victim Support Line -- information and referrals for victims of crime, to supports and services that are available in your community

Victim Notification System -- access to information on changes in release status of a provincially sentenced offender (less than 2 years)

• registration for automated notification of offender's status changes

Francophone helpline for women

• crisis intervention
• support and referral to community agencies
• confidential calls

Telephone and online (chat) crisis counselling, emotional support, information and referrals to emergency shelters, legal information and community services, as well as culturally appropriate resources for abused women

• liaison with diverse communities
• confidential and anonymous

Toronto only: initial assessment and intake for assaulted women's shelters, call 416-863-0511 or toll free 1-866-863-0511

COVID19 Telephone support line 1-833-900-1010 and online chat available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; for local services, visit website for Referral Directory; in an emergency call 911

Confidential, victim-centered phone line and online chat connecting victims and survivors with social services, local emergency services including law enforcement, and transition and long-term supports/services (also receives tips from the public)

Referral directory

• online directory of services
• online library of resources

COVID19 Services online or by telephone, call for details

Assists women to make steps toward economic self-sufficiency, inludes intake and assessment, information and referral, individual and group counselling, follow up and support, resettlement assistance for shelter clients (child care and transportation available)

• job search support and access to job developer
• work experience through internship and volunteer opportunities
• access to Career Boutique
• life skills development
• housing support and Furniture Bank

COVID19 Emergency shelter open, new referrals accepted if space permits; other services offered remotely where possible, call for details

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Emergency shelter
Includes telephone crisis counselling, support and advocacy, individual and group counselling, referrals and ex-resident follow-up and support

• capacity 33

Transitional Worker assists residents and women in the community in finding housing, job search training and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes

Building Opportunities for Women (BOW)
Assistance with resume writing, interview preparation, job search, academic advancement and school programs, computer training, skills development and life skills

VIBE (Violence Intervention Breakthrough Empowerment)
Prevention program offered in-house, and in schools and communities

• music interactive therapy, academic support, group sessions, leadership and mentoring, and recreational activities
• in-school programs include Media Interactive, Music Interactive, WIT (Whatever It Takes), and Man Up (mentorship)

Provincial coalition of first stage emergency violence against women shelters and second stages housing programs; membership also available to community-based organizations with women's programming and/or violence against women programming

Information and online resources for membership, public education and advocacy for public policy change; Violence Against Women Library including directory of shelters in Ontario with services for pets of women leaving violence

No direct service to women experiencing violence

Community counselling, support groups for women and children, advocacy, accompaniment to legal services, assistance finding housing, and telephone contact

Violence prevention programs for girls, including tweens, teens and young women; contact for program details and registration information

ReelRealMen online 10 week program for male identified youth 14-18 years; safe space for male-facilitated discussions on gender based violence, healthy masculinity and relationships; contact for details on registration and schedule

COVID19 Services available by telephone, email or video conferencing, visit CWSS website for details

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Network of agencies serving women who are experiencing violence

• coordination of services, information and referrals and emergency and long term planning
• rotating clinics held at community hubs
  • Tuesday at East Scarborough Storefront, 4040 Lawrence Ave E
  • Wednesday at Dorset Park Hub, 1911 Kennedy Rd
  • Thursday at Centre for Immigrant and Community Services, 2330 Midland Ave

Partner agencies include Scarborough Women's Centre, Family Service Toronto, Tropicana Community Services, Legal Aid Ontario, Victim/Witness Assistance Program, Birkdale Residence, Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities, Toronto Employment and Social Services, MCIS Language Services and Toronto Police Service

COVID19 Emergency shelter open and crisis line 416-533-8538, text 647-370-8300, and chat iDetermine.ca available for support; community outreach counselling available, call for details

Emergency short term shelter, including crisis intervention and counselling, family support, and legal, housing, education and employment support; advocacy and outreach; workshops

• capacity 33
• Housing Connections (see separate listing) Community Partner, assistance with housing search and application process

iDetermine.ca
Online support for women experiencing violence and abuse; professional counsellors assist with emotional support, safety planning, referrals and information

COVID19 Contact or visit website for update on phone, virtual and in-person programs and services

Supportive community-based emergency and support services, includes shelter, crisis intervention, counselling, safety planning, and support group programs for women and their children

• information and referral
• accompaniment and advocacy
• assistance in obtaining services
• development of support networks
• outreach and home visit services provided in various community locations

Emergency shelter
Includes counselling, referrals, court and immigration escort, follow-up, and advocacy and assistance with housing, welfare, immigration, medical and legal services

• capacity 30
• children's programs

Transitional and Housing Support Program
Counselling, crisis intervention, safety planning, assistance obtaining affordable housing, and follow-up

Women and Communities Against Violence (WACAV)
Builds and strengthens linkages between under-serviced areas, supports service providers and shelters

COVID19 Urgent exits and resettlement moves only

Urgent Exit Moves
Volunteers and security or police personnel transport the client and their children from the abusive household to a confidentially-located shelter that has agreed to receive them

Resettlement Moves
Volunteers transport client and their children and their stored belongings, typically from the shelter, to the new home

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National nonprofit agency providing free moving and storage costs to individuals experiencing abuse, and their children

• available in York Region through York Region Centre for Community Safety (YRCCS), see separate listing
• also chapters in Ottawa, Nova Scotia and Vancouver

Training Programs for the Nonprofit Sector
Training workshops and presentations on issues of violence against women, intervention strategies, legal issues and resources for assaulted women

• consultation for front line workers and management on working with abused women
• anti-violence initiatives and cross-cultural perspectives

Training Programs in the Workplace
Customized training workshops and presentations, and consultation, on issues of violence against women

• human resources strategies
• employee assistance programs training
• working with abused women
• developing structural supports and changes

COVID19 Call for intake, and information on in-person, phone, email and online services

Long-term transitional housing, including trauma counselling, basic needs and essential support to re-establish independence; also settlement services, and information and referral on legal aid, immigration, social assistance

• capacity 7

Case management and programming in partnership with Mennonite New Life Centre of Toronto, see separate listing

COVID19 -- office closed for visits, staff working remotely, intake line open



Free confidential service for Ontario workers who have experienced harassment and/or sexual assault in the workplace * legal information and advice, referrals * community outreach

Personal Rights -- legal representation of children under the Courts of Justice Act in custody/access matters under the Divorce Act and Children's Law Reform Act

• legal representation of children and minor parents under the Child and Family Services Act, in child protection proceedings and Consent to Adoption matters
• preparation of reports to the court under the Courts of Justice Act in custody/access applications

Property Rights -- represents the child's interest in estate or trust matters

• provides civil legal representation for the child when there is no one willing and able to do so

COVID19 Contact for information on in-person, telephone and virtual supports

Interest free micro-loans of $500-$1000, can be used to pay rent, utilities, bills in arrears, furniture, moving expenses, other approved items

COVID19 Virtual program; tablets and art supplies available, contact for details; child care not currently offered

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Expressive Arts support groups; limited child care available, and TTC fare provided

• program locations in South Scarborough and West Central Toronto

COVID19 -- Call main hospital switchboard or visit website to find updates to current screening and visiting policies


Pediatric acute care hospital

• dental clinic, physician referral required
• emergency department, see separate entry
• classroom for children with epilepsy in elementary school struggling with school or who learn differently from peers
• psychiatry

International Patient Office-- 416-813-7654 ext. 428917

• for children who need medical care not available in their own country
• Herbie Fund -- provides financial support for children from around the world requiring treatment not available in their own countries to receive surgical care at SickKids in Toronto

SCAN (Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect) Program-- 416-813-6275, Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm 416-813-7500 after hours - ask to be put through to the SCAN Team

• assessment of child abuse and neglect
• care and support for children and teenagers who may have been mistreated
• referrals for parents/guardians
• consultation for medical professionals and community workers regarding child abuse and neglect

Lotus Health -- Call or text 437-226-3579, responses within one business day; for urgent concerns call 416-813-7500 and request that SCAN be paged

• health and advocacy program for children and youth under the age of 18 years who have experienced, are currently experiencing, or may be at risk of experiencing commercial sexual exploitation or trafficking
• coordinated approach to care

Ontario Poison Centre -- see separate entry

SickKids Centre for Community Mental Health (formerly Hincks-Dellcrest Centre) -- see separate entries