Searching for "Shelter for Women Experiencing Abuse"

Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+)

Provides 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
• funeral expenses

Additional assistance for victims of human trafficking includes:

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

Note: No direct reimbursement to victims for above supports

Financial support also available for:

• victims who sustained serious physical injuries during a crime
• parents of child homicide victims
• spouses of homicide victims

• Offers culturally appropriate counselling services to Indigenous women by Indigenous women, via telephone, text, or chat

Offers services in 14 languages, including:

• Oji-Cree
• Cree
• Algonquin
• Inuktitut
• Mohawk
• Oneida
• Odawa
• Potawatomi
• Micmac
• Black Foot
• Anishnaabe
• Moose Cree
• Swampy Cree
• English

Assists community members with the following legal matters:

• Criminal Law if custody is probable
• Family Law
• Child Welfare

Note: Does not help with civil law, employment law, human rights, housing, or social assistance (contact a Community Legal Worker (CLW) for a referral)

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)

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 -- Facilitates a victim's understanding of and passage through the family court system. Support provided includes:

• information on the family court process
• assistance in preparing for family court proceedings (documenting history of abuse, accessing Legal Aid)
• debriefing with clients following family court appearances
• 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.

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.

Distress Line Program

• Provides a free, confidential, 24-hour telephone distress line available 24/7/365.
• uses trained volunteers
• assist callers to solve their own problems
• information and referrals
• intervene in life-threatening situations
• extensive pre-service training programs for distress line
• suicide prevention and intervention workshops
• communication skills training

Text and Chat Program

• provides emotional support, crisis and suicide intervention through text or instant message for those individual who many not want to receive support face to face or speak over the phone.
• provides a free, confidential 12-hour online and text support between the hours of 2pm and 2am EST
• uses trained volunteers
• assist callers to solve their own problems
• information and referrals
• intervene in life-threatening situations
• extensive pre-service training programs for distress line
• suicide prevention and intervention workshops
• communication skills training

A multidisciplinary agency serving the French-speaking population and Exogamy families of the Hamilton and Niagara Region. Services offered include primary and community health care services, counseling and community initiatives, services for families with young children, services for seniors, Community Connections Mentorship Program and the Settlement Program for French-speaking newcomers.

Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+) - program of last resort where no other available private or public resource is available
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Victim Crisis Assistance Ontario - 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, may include 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 reimbursements are made to victims for the supports listed above
  
• Financial support is also available for victims who sustained serious physical injuries during a crime and for parents of homicide victims and spouses of homicide victims

Provides immediate safe housing, food and clothing to refugees arriving into Canada. Social, emotional and practical support is offered to each guest of the Matthew House to deal with experienced trauma and the challenges ahead. The Matthew House's main goal is to prevent homelessness for refugees at the very first point of entry into Canada. The shelter also provides full housing needs to women, men and children in Niagara affected by family breakdowns such as divorce or domestic violence or sexual violence. The staff at Matthew House act as case managers for this at-risk population.

Counseling sessions will be provided via distance counseling. Open for new intakes and for all current clients. Information is regularly updated on their Facebook page.

Offers counselling for survivors of trauma and abuse

• provides short-term and long-term therapy
• specialized services and resources for child pornography and prostitution survivors, human trafficking
• Go to Meeting or telephone counselling available for clients who live in other areas or who cannot attend the office

Professional counselling, consultation and education services

• education services include workshops, training and therapy groups to address identified needs and specific requests
• faith incorporated into the therapeutic process

Individual intervention

• anxiety
• depression
• trauma (including emotional, physical, sexual abuse/assault in childhood or more recent, PTSD)
• domestic violence
• sexual addictions and pornography
• decision-making skills
• spiritual/faith issues
• issues related to self-harm
• eating disorders
• bereavement
• mental health challenges
• most other areas

Couple and family intervention

• conflict resolution and communication skills
• healing from trauma as a couple or family
• bereavement issues (including separation/divorce and impact on children)
• forgiveness
• surviving infidelity
• roles in relationships
• challenges of parenting
• blended family issues
• challenges of elderly family members
• adult siblings issues
• most other areas of couple and family intervention

Education services

• abuse prevention training
• conferences on special topics (parent-child relationship throughout life cycles, general relationship skills, see website for monthly Education/Seminar topics)
• bereavement
• vicarious trauma and prevention of burnout
• parenting topics
• emotional and spiritual health
• any life concern topics on request

Free, confidential 24-hour support and helpline for French-speaking women in Ontario

• supports and connects survivors of violence to community services
• victims and survivors of violence of any form
• security plan
• information and referral support to local, regional and provincial service providers

Free legal advice for low-income people

• approximately 30 minutes per visit
• civil cases only, no family or criminal

Services provided for Superior Court and Small Claims Court cases:

• explanation of the claim process (how to start a claim, how to defend a claim, considerations a person should think about before starting a claim, enforcing a judgement, etc.)
• assisting clients in interpreting court rules
• identifying the court forms a person may need
• guiding clients in completing court forms
• providing tip sheets
• identifying strengths and weaknesses of cases
• offering the use of computers and software to help create court forms
• referrals to other legal services

Confidential and empathetic crisis line for anyone needing help, support, and resources.

​Short-term councilling services

• assist with resolving many of today's stresses at home and in the work place
• partnership between the Department of National Defence (DND) and Health Canada's Emergency Preparedness and Occupational Health Directorate Employee Assistance Services (EAS)
• available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
• bilingual counsellors

National telephone hotline for Indigenous people in Canada who need to speak with counsellors

• focus on mental health issues
• culturally appropriate counselling support and crisis intervention
• information on long-term or follow-up support services
• online chat

Indian residential schools resolution health support program

• offers professional counseling and emotional support
• cultural support provided by Elders
• assistance with the cost of transportation

Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line:

• immediate and culturally appropriate counseling supports to former students that are experiencing distress

Programs include:

Residential School Information Line, 1-866-879-4913

• basic information about IAP, ADR and CEP programs
• Mon-Sun 8 am-11 pm
• will mail out application kits
• confirms receipt of IAP applications

Common Experience Payment (CEP) Call Centre, 1-866-640-9992

• general information and inquiries regarding status of application
• Mon-Fri 9 am-6 pm
• will answer specific inquiries about the status of an application for reconsideration, an application for National Administration Committee appeal, an application for a court appeal

Independent Assessment Process (IAP) Info Line, 1-877-635-2648

• provides claimants and counsel with status updates in regards to specific claims
• Mon-Fri 9 am-6 pm
• responds to a broad range of questions related to the IAP

COVID19 -- full-time in-person services have resumed. Call 416-533-8545 or email [email protected] to connect; appointment only - no drop-in services


Deals primarily with employment rights, human rights, immigration, social assistance, refugees, tenant issues, Employment Insurance (EI) and law reform

Funded by Legal Aid Ontario

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

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


Pediatric acute care hospital

• dental clinic - dental specialist, dental surgeon or 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 Program (IPP): 416-813-7654 ext 428917

• for children who need medical care not available in their own country; see website for specific eligibility
• 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 possible child abuse and/or neglect
• care and support for children and teenagers who may have been mistreated
• referrals for caregivers/parents
• 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

COVID-19 -- offering remote and in-person services, check service updates on www.legalaid.on.ca/news/covid-19-update-on-our-client-services

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Free legal information, advice and other services

Legal Aid Certificates

• reimburses participating lawyers for services rendered on behalf of client
• client may have to agree to repay all or part of legal fees
• financial assessment required
• only granted for serious legal matters such as criminal, family or immigration and refugee law

Duty Counsel

• provides legal representation for low-income people appearing in court without a lawyer
• advice and information
• criminal, family and tenant cases
• mental health duty counsel for persons living in psychiatric facilities

Community Legal Clinics

• nonprofit independent and specialty legal centres funded by Legal Aid Ontario -- see separate entries
• legal assistance in areas such as housing law, social assistance and other income support programs
• client may be asked to contribute towards disbursements

Family Law Service Centres (FLSC)

• range of legal resources and support for family matters -- see separate entries
• located in Toronto Central, Toronto North, Newmarket, Brampton, Chatham and Sarnia
• Family Law Information Centres (FLICs) -- advice lawyer, located at certain courts

Refugee Law Office -- legal assistance to refugee claimants and immigrants eligible for legal aid, see separate entry

Community legal clinic

• deals primarily with immigration, tenant issues, social assistance, employment rights, human rights, poverty law
• most refugee cases referred to Legal Aid
• may provide representation
• summary advice in domestic violence and other family law cases
• community education
• speakers
• law reform
• community advocacy
• funded by Legal Aid Ontario

Provides up to 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