Searching for Victims Of Abuse Support Programs

COVID-19: Adult mental health services appointment offered through telephone or OTN for CSCHN clients.


Children's Mental Health Program:

A wide variety of services are available to assist children, youth and families coping with mild to moderate mental health issues. Individualized assessment, counselling, case management and follow-up services are available to French-speaking children who have been exposed both directly and indirectly to some form of trauma such as violence, abuse, intimidation, war or torture.

The Service Coordination Program provides assistance to children and youth who require specialized mental health services that are currently not available in French. Services in this program may include: accompaniments and interpretation services, assisting English-speaking mental health professionals in the development of case plans for French-speaking clients, carrying out client assessments, counselling/treatment and case management services as agreed upon and in collaboration with the English-speaking service provider.

Adult Counselling Services:

Counselling services for those facing issues such as depression, bereavement, relationship difficulties with children etc.

Provides counselling and transitional support services for individuals identifying as women and for women who have been or are currently victims of abuse and/or sexual abuse. Also offering services for men who have been victims of abuse and/or sexual abuse during their childhood. Practical assistance such as accompaniments to lawyers' appointments, referrals to shelters or other housing options and safety planning are available. Off site services may be available to abusive partners through the Partner Abuse Response (PAR) program.

The CSC also partners with a 24 hour French Language Crisis line for victims of woman abuse Femaide 1-877-336-2433 1-877-FEMAIDE.

Satellite location providing the following services:​

• counselling
• safety planning
• transitional housing
• access to the agency's shelter

Satellite location providing the following services:​

• counselling
• safety planning
• transitional housing
• access to the agency's shelter

Provides shelter and services for women and children experiencing abuse. Services include:

• 24-hour support line (call or text - 905-356-5800)
• Counselling and emotional support for women and children/youth who are being or who have been abused
• Development of safety plans
• Transitional and housing support
• Public education programs
• Referrals

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

Services are available on an in-shelter or office visit basis.

One-to-on support for women who are engaged in survival sex work. The program offers care packages for women, as well as clothing and a safe space to have good conversation and to access supports, skill building or referrals if needed.

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

Serves anyone reporting to an emergency department in the Niagara Region.

Provides 24 hour emergency medical care and crisis intervention to all individuals (male and female) who have been sexually assaulted or victims of domestic violence within the last 12 days. Services are provided through a specialized team sensitive to the needs of survivors. Options of care include emotional support, prophylactic treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, HIV post exposure prophylaxis, pregnancy prevention, and the collection of forensic evidence to assist in the legal process. Victims of domestic violence have options of medical treatment, documentation of injuries, safety planning and police involvement.

For emergency treatment, go to any emergency department in the Niagara Region. The Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Program nurse will be paged.

Counselling Program: Offers short-term trauma counselling to recent victims (within 2 years of the assault/abuse) of sexual violence or intimate partner violence to individuals 16 years of age and older. A social worker is available to answer questions and/or determine eligibility for counselling services every Wednesday morning between 9 am-12 noon. Call for information.

Arson Prevention Program for Children (TAPP-C): This program has been highly successful in preventing further incidents in young people with fire-setting behaviours.

Sexualized Treatment Out-Patient Program (STOP): A mental health treatment based program for children/youth over the age of twelve who are exhibiting sexual behaviour problems or have been charged with a sexual offence.

In a separate treatment program, STOP also treats children and youth who have been victims of sexual assault/abuse.

High Risk Suicidal and High Risk of Violence: A program for youth that have been identified as being at an elevated risk to harm themselves or others. Often these youth are identified and referred to Pathstone by community partners including police, schools, hospitals, or child welfare. These youth are provided intensive individualized service designed to reduce the imminent risk they pose to themselves or others. Once risk has been reduced the youth is referred to a more appropriate and less intense service or program.

Support individuals who have experienced abuse in intimate adult relationships in their journey towards healthy self-directed lives and respectful relationships.

A community based program funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services which provides individual and group counselling to enable women to become non-victims of physical or mental abuse. Participates in the Coalition to End Violence Against Women, which promotes and facilitates a coordinated community response to the abatement of violence against women.

* public education * intervention * treatment * follow-up * counselling * women's group

The Partner Assault Response Program in partnership with the Family Counselling Centre) * Funded by the Ministry of the Attorney General * for individuals who have been abusive to their partners and are committed to change * Individuals who are ordered by the court to attend the program in response to a criminal charge involving domestic violence * Sliding fee schedule for service

Neighbours, Friend and Families Campaign - raises awareness of the signs of woman abuse. Speakers are available, please contact the office.

Provides support, individual and group counselling to women, men, victims/survivors of human trafficking and others who have experienced rape, sexual assault, incest and childhood sexual abuse * 24 hour crisis support line - offering support/information for recent or past rape, sexual assault and abuse

Individual/group counselling and theme-based workshops for survivors * Support also available for family and friends * Outreach counselling available at several locations throughout Niagara region including Niagara Falls, Fort Erie, Port Colborne, Welland and West Lincoln

Hospital Response Workers provide accompaniment, emotional support and advocacy for victims attending the St Catharines hospital for medical care and/or Sexual Assault Evidence Kit collection (up to 7 day post assault) * Information, accompaniment and referrals to other agencies also available during police investigation and court proceedings

Volunteer Program: Contact office for more information

Public speakers available for community groups and high schools on various topics including: Sexual assault awareness and prevention * Date rape * Sexual harassment * Childhood sexual abuse prevention * Self defence

Ongoing education program: * Child Assault Prevention (CAP) Program for grades 1-6 * Youth Issues Prevention Program for grades 7-8 * Film, handouts and interactive discussions

Workshops available for professionals who come into contact with survivors of sexual assault and/or their families

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

A one year transitional housing program open to men, women and their children with a focus on families who are homeless due to issues with poverty, physical disability, mental health, domestic violence and family breakdown.

During their stay residents are given support through individual meetings with a support worker, support groups and a wide range of practical knowledge and skills training workshops.

Some examples of support groups provided are: practical knowledge and skills training, life skills, self-esteem, healthy relationships, women's group, and advocacy. After residents move out, they are guided towards ongoing support programs available in the Niagara Region.

Many continue with supports through outreach programs while transitioning to the next stage which helps to ensure housing retention, a stable safe environment and connection to resources and services.

One unit is accessible and designed for individuals with disabilities.

Community outreach services available to individuals on wait list for transitional housing program.

Assists women who have experienced abuse during the course of their lives. Abuse may have occurred during a past relationship or it may be an ongoing concern in a current relationship.

Community Support Workers meet with participants and offer supports including safety planning, referrals to emergency shelters, advocacy, and accompaniment.

Operates from a feminist perspective which includes empowerment, re-affirmation, support, and advocacy, while maintaining a non-judgmental approach.

Support services include:

• Short-term, supportive counselling for women in the community
• Development of safety strategies or plans for women and their children
• Provision of information on rights, options, and available services
• Referrals or linking women to appropriate services
• Cultural interpretation
• Advocacy with other agencies (i.e. legal, financial, etc.)

Not a crisis service.

Offer confidential, non-judgmental advice and support for women, non-binary individuals, and their children experiencing gender-based violence and abuse.

Services include:

• compassionate one-on-one and group counselling
• emergency accommodation and transportation
• safety planning
• child and youth programming
• violence prevention programs and education
• second-stage housing
• transitional housing and support
• legal advice and support

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

Women do not have to stay at the shelter to access any of the free, confidential services. The goal is to provide safety, support and empowerment to vulnerable women, Two-spirit, gender queer, trans and non-binary individuals in the community.

Individual and parent-child counselling program for mothers and their children who have experienced woman abuse in their families. Individualized program where the work is done with moms, children and a counsellor in a private setting. Also provides safety planning and referrals to other services when appropriate.

A 10 week simultaneous support group program for children and their mothers who have experienced woman abuse in their families. Groups are offered throughout the region.

Satellite location providing the following services:​

• counselling
• safety planning
• transitional housing
• access to the agency's shelter

Provides transitional support with a feminist framework, to women and children who have experienced abuse.

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

Services provided by Interval House of Hamilton at Women's Centre of Hamilton and Flamborough Women's Resource Centre. Provides support for women and their children who are experiencing domestic violence and abuse including:

• community counselling services
• individual counselling
• employment counselling
• peer support
• wellness and recovery groups
• safety planning
• housing services

Offers legal advocacy support, information, and court accompaniment to women who have experienced family violence. Provides support with navigating legal systems when leaving an abusive relationship, including family, criminal, immigration, and child welfare issues.

Program is aimed at children who witness domestic violence/woman abuse and provides women and children with a safe place to discuss the impact of abuse on their lives.

The program intervenes with fathers identified as at-risk for using abuse in their relationships with their partner and their children, in order to increase the safety and healthy functioning of the family. It responds to the needs of children who have experienced or been exposed to their fathers' use of abusive behaviour, by providing opportunities for these fathers to examine the impacts of their actions on their family, and to generate safer and more effective child-centered parenting strategies.

Offers informed support to women who have been exposed to sexual abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse, violence, harassment and/or trauma within a non-judgmental, inclusive environment in which they can increase their knowledge and understanding of woman abuse, and explore the options, resources and supports available.