Are you or someone you know
experiencing violence?
Where to get help for those experiencing gender-based violence
in Toronto and Canada:
- Assaulted Women's Helpline (24/7) 1-866-863-0511, www.awhl.org
- Toronto Rape Crisis Centre (24/7) 416-597-8808
- Talk4Healing Indigenous women helpline 1-855-554-4325, www.talk4healing.com
- Native Women's Resource Centre of Toronto (416) 529-7101 or email svrt.casemanager@nwrct.ca
- National Human Trafficking Hotline (24/7) 1-833-900-1010
- Senior Safety Line 1-866-299-1011
- Legal Aid Ontario Domestic Abuse Support (M-F, 8-5pm) 1-800-668-8258 or www.legalaid.on.ca/services/domestic-abuse/
- Barbara Schlifer Clinic (legal support for survivors of violence) 416-323-9149 x 234 or www.schliferclinic.com/intake
- Kid's Help Phone (24/7) 1-800-668-6868 or Text CONNECT to 686868
- LGBT Youth Line, www.youthline.ca
- Trans Lifeline 1-877-330-6366 - www.translifeline.org
- Find Help/211 (various social services in Ontario) - Dial 211 on any phone, text 21166 or visit 211central.ca
If you are leaving a violent situation or preparing to leave a violent situation:
-
You are not alone and none of this is not your fault.
- Your safety and the safety of your children is the #1 priority.
- Cover your tracks on all your devices, as your calls and devices may be monitored.
- While you can't control your partner, you can create a Safety Plan to leave or to stay safer. Hide this safety plan from your partner.
You can find some safety planning tips HERE.- There are free resources and services in the community to support you in different ways (housing, food, legal, counselling, etc.)
- If you can, tell someone you trust about your situation so that you have support and someone to call.
Tips for reaching out to someone who may be experiencing violence:
-
Listen with empathy and compassion. This is very important.
- Tell them they are not alone.
- Be aware that their calls and devices may be monitored and be conscious of what you ask or say.
- Listen without judgement, without asking why they stay, and without criticism. Avoid self-serving questions.
- Connect at their convenience and when it is safe for them.
- Offer them community resources available (down below) or offer to drop off food and other necessities if you are able to.
- Follow up with them at their convenience, even if you are eager to hear back from them. Avoid becoming upset if they make decisions that you don't understand.
If you are in immediate danger,
call 911
If someone is in immediate danger,
call 911
What is a safety plan?
A safety plan is a personalized, practical plan to improve your safety while experiencing abuse or preparing to leave an abusive situation. Whether you are living in a violent relationship, thinking about leaving a violent relationship, or have already left a violent relationship, there are several ways in which you can increase your safety and that of your children.
Creating a safety plan involves identifying action steps to increase safety and to prepare in advance for the possibility of further violence. Since abusive situations and risk factors can change quickly, it is recommended that you become familiar with and review and/or revise your safety plan regularly.
The safety planning resources below address intimate partner violence, but can be applied to other types of violence, such as family violence, caregiver abuse, human trafficking, etc.
When possible, the best safety plans are those made with trauma counsellors and community healers who work with survivors of gender-based violence.
Be sure to keep your safety plan in a safe location unknown to your partner.