Searching for Victims Of Crime Support Programs

Investigates allegations of child abuse or neglect under the Child and Family Services Act * provides children brought into the care of the agency with temporary or long-term care through placement in foster homes, kinship homes, group homes or institutions * ongoing supervision, counselling and group support to families * referrals to other community services for families requiring non protection child/family services * handles adoptions and adoption disclosure

PRIDE (Parent Resources for Information, Development and Education) - Pre service training program for prospective foster and adoptive parents * identifies the challenges and opportunities of caring for children and families facing difficulties

Family Violence (0- 18 years) - Promotes safety * group and one-on-one counselling for women and children

Partner Assault Response (PAR) (13-18 years) - Specialized counselling and educational services for people who have assaulted their partners * court ordered program

Men Accepting Responsibility to Change Program (MARC) - The Partner Response Program for men is a 12 week psycho-educational program for people who have used violence and abuse towards their intimate partner including a spouse or or partner. Victims/partners of the individual referred into the program are provided with support including safety planning, referrals to community resources, and updates about the group member progress.

Oxford Child Witness Program (7-18 years) - Court preparation and support for children, teens and their families

Children Exposed to Family Violence (0-16 years) - Group that introduces children to the idea of healthy, non-abusive family relationships, helps them understand that they are not to blame for the violence within their home and works to increase self-esteem

Women's Focus Group (13-18 years) - Counselling services to women who have experienced a violent relationship

Teen Dating Violence Forum (13-18 years) - Opportunity for teenage girls to reach out for help

On-site early intervention and crisis intervention * 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 above supports * 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

Programs enable youth and adults to take responsibility for their actions through community work, education, skill development, victim awareness and lifestyle choices * clients are referred by the courts, probation and police, and the community * programming can be accessed through a variety of entry-points: prevention, diversion, and post-sentence and includes mediation from a restorative perspective * for a full list of programs, please visit our website: www.optionsforjustice.ca

Information and assistance to support participation in the criminal court process * services begin once police have laid charges and continue until the court case is over * case-specific information (court dates, bail conditions) * court preparation * needs assessment * emotional support * crisis intervention * referrals to community agencies

Vulnerable Victims and Family Fund -- financial and court-based supports to enable victims of crime and families of homicide victims to attend court * travel arrangements and expenses * language interpretation * real-time captioning or other equipment for victims with disabilities

Important COVID-19 Information:
Domestic Abuse Services Oxford offers programs and services for women, children and adolescents impacted by domestic abuse and/or homelessness. Programs and services include:
* emergency shelter for women, children and adolescents impacted by domestic abuse and/or homelessness. Shelter space is limited and not all requests can be accommodated.
* 24/7 crisis/information/support telephone and text lines
* risk assessments and safety planning

Domestic Abuse Services Oxford has many services to offer. These include:

* Crisis/Help/Support Line
* Community Counseling
* Residential Shelter Services
* Sexual Assault Counselling
* Transitional Resource Program

Believe in Me

Program designed for children/adolescents who come from a home where their mother has been abused * weekly group offers participants the opportunity to talk about their feelings, learn how to express anger appropriately and improve self-esteem * a group for mothers is held concurrently which helps teach them how to support their child/teen * assistance with transportation and child care for siblings may be available * transportation can be coordinated. Free and confidential.

Programs enable youth and adults to take responsibility for their actions through community work, education, skill development, victim awareness and lifestyle choices * clients are referred by the courts, probation and police, and the community * programming can be accessed through a variety of entry-points: prevention, diversion, and post-sentence and includes mediation from a restorative perspective * for a full list of programs, please visit our website: www.optionsforjustice.ca

Programs enable youth and adults to take responsibility for their actions through community work, education, skill development, victim awareness and lifestyle choices * clients are referred by the courts, probation and police, and the community * programming can be accessed through a variety of entry-points: prevention, diversion, and post-sentence and includes mediation from a restorative perspective * for a full list of programs, please visit our website: www.optionsforjustice.ca

Provides information and assistance to support participation in and understanding of the criminal court process

• services begin once police have laid charges and continue until the court case is over
• Information about victims' rights, the criminal justice process and their specific case (e.g., court dates)
• needs assessment and referrals to community agencies
• crisis intervention, emotional support, victim advocacy
• facilitates victim's input and liaises with Crown Attorneys, police, regarding bail, safety, resolution of charges, release conditions, publication bans, testimonial aids, trial preparation and court orientation
• information and support on Victim Impact Statements, Statement on Restitution
• facilitates access to court orders, such as bail conditions, probation orders, peace bonds
• debriefing and follow-up support

Vulnerable Victims and Family Fund -- financial and court-based supports to enable victims of crime and families of homicide victims to attend court

• travel arrangements and expenses
• language interpretation
• real-time captioning or other equipment for victims with disabilities

Counselling available in all secondary schools in Haldimand and Norfolk for all students who:

• have witnessed abuse
  
• have experienced abuse in a dating relationship, either as the victim or as the abuser
  
• have been a victim of sexual assault / abuse
  
• have experienced other forms of abuse in dating or peer relationships - bullying, harassment
  
• want information and help to support a friend in an abusive situation

Classroom presentations are available at the request of a student or teacher on issues including:

• abuse
  
• sexual assault / abuse
  
• healthy relationships
  
• female empowerment

Provides individual counselling for children junior kindergarten to grade eight who have witnessed woman abuse. Service is provided in both public and separate schools in Haldimand & Norfolk

• counsellor meets with the child weekly to discuss issues related to witnessing abuse and to practice safety planning
• priority is given to the needs of the child and the goal of counselling identified by the parent/guardian
• counsellor will meet with the parent to discuss progress

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's Services provides shelter, counselling, support, and advocacy for women and children whose lives have been affected by abuse

Services include:

• STAR Counsellor - available for all students in every secondary school in Haldimand & Norfolk who are involved in an abusive relationship
  
• Shelter Program - provides a safe, supportive place to stay for women 16 yrs and over, with or without children. Confidential counselling and emotional support. 24-hour crisis line (anonymous calls accepted) and transportation to the Shelter if needed during a crisis
  
• Children's Program - provides individual counselling and emotional support for children staying at the Shelter. Parenting support for mothers
  
• Women's Sexual Assault Program - 24-hour crisis telephone line, immediate crisis counselling, accompaniment to hospital or police station after a sexual assault, short and long-term counselling for sexual assault and/or childhood sexual abuse, advocacy, group counselling, educational presentations
  
• Women's Counselling Program - provides in-depth short and long-term counselling for women 16 years and older
  
• Community Education and Counselling Program - educational discussion and support groups, presentations to any community or professional group. STAR (Stop Abuse in Relationships) provides counselling, support, and referral information for students at all secondary schools in Haldimand and Norfolk (half day per week), classroom presentations
  
• Transitional Housing & Support Program/Legal Advocates - assists women in developing goals as they leave an abusive relationship, provides information and helps to access and maintain housing, court support, and advocacy. Provides legal advocacy services for Family law and criminal law issues to women
  
• Elementary School-Based Counselling Program - counselling can be provided in any elementary school (either public or private) in Haldimand and Norfolk for any child who has witnessed abuse
  
• Children Who Witness Woman Abuse Group Program (My Circle of Friends) - group counselling to children aged 4-16 who have witnessed woman abuse, and concurrent groups for mothers
  
• Volunteer Program - recruits, screens, and trains volunteers to provide support services for abused women and their children
  
• CAS/Vaw Liason - joint response with CAS worker to low-risk cases involving domestic violence to inform the woman of program and services
  
• Youth Housing Advocate - assist crown wards leaving CAS care to obtain housing
  
• Quetzal Family Homes - provide counselling , support, and advocacy to residents of Quetzal Family Homes through the QFH Counseling Program
  
• Legal Advocate - provide legal advocacy services primarily to residents of Quetzal Family Homes
  
• Justice For Women - chair and coordinate Justice For Women meetings and projects. Educate the community through neighbour, friend and family presentations
  
• Family Court Support Worker Program - information on the family court process; assistance in documenting the history of abuse for family court proceedings; referral to specialized services and supports in the community; safety planning; court accompaniment to proceedings when appropriate

Office located in Simcoe with satellite locations in Caledonia and Dunnville

Provides information on the family court process, assistance in documenting the history of abuse for family court proceedings, referral to specialized services and supports in the community, safety planning, court accompaniment to proceedings when appropriate, court documents, assistance with Legal Aid application, assistance finding a lawyer or access to legal advice, gathering and completing court papers, preparing evidence statements, understanding court outcomes. Provides access to community services and programs

Information on the family court process. Assistance in preparing for family court proceedings (documenting history of abuse and accessing Legal Aid). Referral to specialized services and supports in the community. Safety planning. Court accompaniment to proceedings when appropriate

Available to meet with women throughout Perth County, call for details.

Assists women exiting or considering exiting abusive relationships through: access to counselling and emotional support programs. Safety planning and risk assessment. Applications for community supports such as housing, social assistance.

Provides services for clients that are residing in shelter as well as in the community on an outreach basis

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 eligible 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.

Satellite offices at:

• Hanover Police
• South Bruce OPP
• Grey County OPP
• Bruce Peninsula OPP
• Saugeen Shores Police
• West Grey Police
• Blue Mountain OPP
• Cape Croker
• Perth County OPP
• Stratford CMHA

Counselling, information, referrals, and advocacy support are available to survivors of all genders of child sexual abuse, incest, and sexual assault, as well as their support persons

Immediate support, as well as an accompaniment to hospital, police or court, is available through the 24-hour crisis and support line

Community education and presentations are available to community members and groups upon request

An agency working to end interpersonal violence and abuse by supporting individuals and families who have experienced domestic violence, intimate partner violence, or gender-based violence through the provision of crisis intervention, emergency shelter, transitional support, children's programs, and counselling; and by fostering accountability for those who harm through intervention, counselling, public education, and systemic advocacy


Programs and services include:

• Crisis Line and Emergency Shelter - 33 emergency beds for abused and/or homeless women and children. Open 24/7 providing a safe haven, meals, support, and referrals to community resources

• Transitional Housing: Maria House - 8 residential units for longer-term residential stays for women and children in a setting that combines independent living with counselling and support

• Outreach- services for women wanting to make the transition to independent, violence-free living. Includes safety planning, accompaniment (i.e. to court, lawyer's office), home support, referrals and follow-up

• Counselling Services include:
  • Abuse Recovery Groups (for women 18+)
  • Caring Families (for high conflict families and their children)
  • Children Exposed to Domestic Violence (for children ages 6-16)
  • Mothers in Mind (for mothers and their children ages 0-5)
  • Challenge to Change ( PAR for men and women, SCRIBE for men only)

• Family Court Support - provide support and accompaniment for clients to family court, lawyers appointments and assist in navigating the Family Court system

• Violence Prevention and Community Outreach - presentations/seminars delivered to elementary students, secondary students, post-secondary institutions, service clubs, churches, businesses and other groups on such topics as domestic violence, teen dating violence, sexual harassment and healthy relationships

• 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

• Volunteer Program - volunteers play a major role in fundraising and assisting staff with programs and services. Positions include Shelter Assistant, Emergency Child care Provider, Volunteer Driver, Housing and Employment Assistant, Tutor, Special Events Volunteer, Receptionist. Skilled volunteers also offer services such as massage therapy, yoga, and hairdressing on a regular basis to residential clients
  
  
  
• Closet Couture Boutique - social enterprise - high end second hand women's clothing

COVID19 Update: Court case backlog -- clients may experience difficulties contacting local offices and should leave a message with return phone number; VWAP staff will return voicemail as soon as possible

Information and assistance to support participation in the criminal court process

• services begin once police have laid charges and continue until the court case is over
• case-specific information (court dates, bail conditions)
• court preparation
• needs assessment
• emotional support
• crisis intervention
• referrals to community agencies

Vulnerable Victims and Family Fund

• financial and court-based supports to enable victims of crime and families of homicide victims to attend court
• travel arrangements and expenses
• language interpretation
• real-time captioning or other equipment for victims with disabilities

Indigenous support centre providing advocacy, social, cultural and educational programming

Programs include:

• Criminal Court Worker - assists offenders to better understand their rights, options, and responsibilities when appearing before the court. Assists adults and youth charged with criminal offenses to navigate the court processes
• Combined Court Worker - helps navigate Indigenous youth, adults, and families through criminal court, family court and child services
• Indigenous Healing and Wellness - assists individuals to access services, provide crisis intervention, offers traditional supports, provides peer counselling to community members impacted by violence. Services are available on a one-to-one basis or in a group setting

  This program is currently on hold

• Cultural Resource Coordinator - provides access to cultural knowledge by fostering positive Indigenous identity essential to well being and resilience. Services are culturally reflective and prevention-focused, with a focus on maintaining cultural connections to identity, knowledge, traditions, ceremonies, education, training, and traditional support
• Apatisiwin Program Worker - provides services to youth and adults in employment counselling, job preparations (application processing, resume/cover letter assistance, referrals to agencies, etc), purchase of training, apprenticeship skills training, and training supports

  This program is currently on hold

• Pandemic Relief Worker - provides services to individuals/families who are currently positive for Covid-19 or in insolation due to suspected exposure
• Mental Health and Wellness Coordinator - provides a holistic and positive approach to support the needs of mental health and addictions for Indigenous people and their families. Implements programs to improve the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of both clients and their families that are culturally based and foster the learning of self-respect and identity
• Mental Health Peer Support Coordinator - provides networks of support and mentorship to Urban Indigenous people under community supervision orders as they seek to improve their mental health, reduce any harms associated with their behaviours, avoid justice system recidivism, and pursue a Good Mind

  This program is currently on hold

Information and assistance to support participation in the criminal court process * services begin once police have laid charges and continue until the court case is over
Case-specific information (court dates, bail conditions)
Court preparation
Needs assessment
Emotional support
Crisis intervention
Referrals to community agencies

Vulnerable Victims and Family Fund -- financial and court-based supports to enable victims of crime and families of homicide victims to attend court * travel arrangements and expenses * language interpretation * real-time captioning or other equipment for victims with disabilities

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

Provides caring and compassionate support and advocacy for children and youth who are victims or witnesses of crime and their families - enabling and empowering them to use their voice, tell their story, help them be heard, and support them so that they can heal and develop into strong community members.

• Working collaboratively with partners in the community to establish a Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC) in Waterloo region - a seamless, child focused and best practice model for investigating report of child abuse and providing wraparound support to these young victims, witnesses and their families so they fell heard, helped and begin to heal from the trauma.
  
• Provide proactive education and awareness about the challenges experienced, and support available, as well as strategies to help reduce the risk of kids becoming victims.
  

Information and assistance to support participation in the criminal court process * services begin once police have laid charges and continue until the court case is over
Case-specific information (court dates, bail conditions)
Court preparation
Needs assessment
Emotional support
Crisis intervention
Referrals to community agencies

Vulnerable Victims and Family Fund -- financial and court-based supports to enable victims of crime and families of homicide victims to attend court * travel arrangements and expenses * language interpretation * real-time captioning or other equipment for victims with disabilities

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

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