Searching for Victims Of Abuse Support Programs

Provides legal advice and assistance to individuals who do not have the means to assert or defend their legal rights through the following services:

• Client representation in clinic areas of practice
• Free summary legal advice
• Information and referral
• Law reform advocacy
• Public education
• Specialized legal services

Services are offered in the following areas:

• Birth certificates
• Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Disability or Pension benefits
• Canada Child Benefits (CCB)
• Consumer and Credit/Debt issues
• Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (CICB)
• Disability Tax benefits
• Employment Insurance (EI)
• Employment Standards (ESA)
• Human Rights
• Native Status applications
• Old Age Security (OAS)
• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
• Ontario Works
• Residential Tenancies (tenants only)

Provides individual and group counseling for those who are experiencing problems in various areas of living

Addictions Counseling

• Provides assessments for various addictions for individuals
• Conducts case management studies
• Offers referrals to appropriate helps
• Provides therapeutic intervention and aftercare
• Provides public education to raise awareness of addictions

Family Violence

• Addresses and provides counseling for all forms of family violence including elder abuse, child and spousal abuse and sexual assault
• Provides referrals to other community services

Individual Counseling

• Provides counseling for many life issues including bereavement, mental illness, disability and traumatic childhood issues

Marital and Family Counseling

• Provides counseling for conflicts in family relationships, sexual issues, separation and divorce matters and communication skills

Partner Assault Response

• Offers a 12 week group education and counseling program on domestic violence and non-abusive ways of resolving conflict
• Offers victims/partners of the offender support including safety planning, referrals to community resources and information on offender's progress

Problem Gambling

• Provides individual and family counseling to deal with the harmful effects of problem gambling

Member agency of Support Services Network for Male Survivors in Ontario (North Region)

Update on services during COVID-19 outbreak
Interim direction for Youth Justice Open and Secure Facilities
Ontario continues to take decisive action to protect the health and safety of all people and families during the COVID-19 outbreak. To help stop the spread of COVID-19, the following measures have been put into place in provincially-operated youth justice centres and in probation offices:

• Enhanced screening processes have been implemented in all Directly Operated Youth Justice Facilities.
• All personal visits and volunteer activities are cancelled. Approved personal visitors may maintain contact with youth by phone. Enhanced technology, such as video calling, where operationally available and operationally feasible, can be used for virtual visits with family.
• Professional visits including legal counsel will continue although consideration should be given to alternative options such as the use of teleconferences.
• All non-essential reintegration leaves are restricted until further notice.
• Walk-in service is cancelled at all probation offices until further notice. Services will continue to be provided through the use of technology including telephone and email contact. Staff continue to have clients report by telephone and maintain case management supervision.
• The Ministry has recommended similar measures be implemented by all service partners providing programming in communities throughout the province.

Acts as an alternative justice program in place of the regular court system

• Meets with those alleged to have committed non violent offences and victims to negotiate an appropriate way to make amends for their actions
• Provides an increased role for victims and communities in dealing with minor offenses committed by persons who are prepared to be accountable

NOTE: Offenders who plead innocent must remain in the regular court system

Provides mobile crisis intervention services to individuals affected by family violence

• Provides immediate on site intervention or telephone assistance
• Dispatches call to police when deemed necessary
• Ensures victims receive support and assistance to secure their safety
• Arranges meeting family members at centre or agreed upon location to discuss possible crisis resolutions
• Provides advocacy on behalf of individuals and families dealing with various agencies
• Provides information and referrals to appropriate resources and services

Provides crisis intervention services to individuals affected by mental health issues

• Offers immediate on-site or telephone assistance
• Ensures victims receive support and assistance to secure their safety
• Provides advocacy on behalf of individuals and families dealing with various agencies
• Provides information and referrals to appropriate resources and services
• Dispatches call to police when deemed necessary

• Offers emergency shelter for abused women and their children
• Provides emergency transportation to the shelter
• Offers a 24-hour crisis line
• Provides counselling to women and children
• Facilitates safety planning
• Provides crisis intervention
• Advocates and offers support to victims of sexual assault
• Provides information about legal and housing rights
• Offers community education and awareness

Also provides the following:

• Laundry facilities
• Prepared dinner meals
• Communal living environment where residents assist with chores
• Outside playground for children

Provides individual and group counseling for those who are experiencing problems in various areas of living

Addictions Counseling

• Provides assessments for various addictions for individuals
• Conducts case management studies
• Offers referrals to appropriate helps
• Provides therapeutic intervention and aftercare
• Provides public education to raise awareness of addictions

Family Violence

• Addresses and provides counseling for all forms of family violence including elder abuse, child and spousal abuse and sexual assault
• Provides referrals to other community services

Individual Counseling

• Provides counseling for many life issues including bereavement, mental illness, disability and traumatic childhood issues

Marital and Family Counseling

• Provides counseling for conflicts in family relationships, sexual issues, separation and divorce matters and communication skills

Partner Assault Response

• Offers a 12 week group education and counseling program on domestic violence and non-abusive ways of resolving conflict
• Offers victims/partners of the offender support including safety planning, referrals to community resources and information on offender's progress

Problem Gambling

• Provides individual and family counseling to deal with the harmful effects of problem gambling

Member agency of Support Services Network for Male Survivors in Ontario (North Region)

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

Provides financial and court-based supports to enable victims of crime and families of homicide victims to attend court, including:

• Travel arrangements and expenses
• Language interpretation
• Real-time captioning or other equipment for victims with disabilities

Update on services during COVID-19 outbreak
Interim direction for Youth Justice Open and Secure Facilities
Ontario continues to take decisive action to protect the health and safety of all people and families during the COVID-19 outbreak. To help stop the spread of COVID-19, the following measures have been put into place in provincially-operated youth justice centres and in probation offices:

• Enhanced screening processes have been implemented in all Directly Operated Youth Justice Facilities.
• All personal visits and volunteer activities are cancelled. Approved personal visitors may maintain contact with youth by phone. Enhanced technology, such as video calling, where operationally available and operationally feasible, can be used for virtual visits with family.
• Professional visits including legal counsel will continue although consideration should be given to alternative options such as the use of teleconferences.
• All non-essential reintegration leaves are restricted until further notice.
• Walk-in service is cancelled at all probation offices until further notice. Services will continue to be provided through the use of technology including telephone and email contact. Staff continue to have clients report by telephone and maintain case management supervision.
• The Ministry has recommended similar measures be implemented by all service partners providing programming in communities throughout the province.

Acts as an alternative justice program in place of the regular court system for youth in trouble with the law

• Focus is on repairing the harm done by the crime and requiring the youth to be accountable and accept responsibility/consequences
• Coordinates a meeting (Youth Justice Conference) between the victim and their supporters, the offender and their parents/supporters and program facilitators
• Allows each party to tell their story of how the crime involved and affected them
• Assists all members to form a resolution contract that outlines consequences for the offender such as curfew, compensation, school work and personal and public service, instead of being lawfully charged

NOTE: Offenders who plead innocent must remain in the regular court system

Youth Justice Conference Facilitator

• Recruits and trains (training provided by Ministry of the Attorney General) volunteers to serve as facilitators of the conferencing process between youth offender, victim and their collective family members and support persons
• Time commitment varies by number of volunteers and number of cases referred to Youth Justice Committee

Offers a variety of support services and programs

Children's Services

• Offers various activities for children such as community kitchen cooking class
• Provides individual and group counselling sessions

Child Witness Program

• Offers a therapeutic program for children who have witnessed family violence
• Hosts program in neutral settings such as schools
• Educates mothers about the harmful effects of abuse on children
• Teaches mothers skills to help their children during the healing process
• Program length varies, up to 12 weeks

Transitional Support Services

• Helps individuals understand options to assist in making life choices
• Offers assistance in accessing housing, legal intervention, education, employment, financial support, childcare, referrals, and advocacy
• Offers individual counselling and support groups

Provides crisis intervention services to community in crisis situations and to individuals affected by family violence and suicide

• Offers immediate on site or telephone assistance
• Dispatches call to police when deemed necessary
• Ensures victims receive support and assistance to secure their safety
• Arranges meeting family members at centre or agreed upon location to discuss possible crisis resolutions

Also coordinates:

• Crisis plan to follow in response to suicide intervention, domestic violence intervention and any other form of crisis situations that may arise in community
• Information sessions and workshops on techniques for healing strategies

Support Services

Supports can include but are not limited to:

• Debriefing and stabilization following crisis situation
• Advocacy on behalf of individuals and families dealing with various agencies
• Meal preparation, transportation, homemaking and other areas requiring support for families in crisis situations such as the suicide of a youth
• Information about/referrals to appropriate resources and services

Provides legal assistance for low-income people

Services include:

• Legal representation for eligible clients who appear in court without a lawyer
• Legal aid applications and information over the phone
• Legal resources and referrals to other social assistance agencies
• A legal aid certificate program which enables a client to retain a lawyer for complex and serious cases

Areas of law served include:

• Criminal
• Domestic violence
• Family
• Immigration and refugee

Does NOT cover applications for:

• Wrongful dismissal
• Change of name
• Personal bankruptcy
• Power of attorney
• Money lent to others or money owed to others
• Sponsorship of relatives
• Commercial litigation
• Real estate matters and libel
• Defamation and slander

Provides crisis intervention services to community in crisis situations and to individuals affected by family violence and suicide

• Offers immediate on site or telephone assistance
• Dispatches call to police when deemed necessary
• Ensures victims receive support and assistance to secure their safety
• Arranges meeting family members at centre or agreed upon location to discuss possible crisis resolutions

Also coordinates:

• Crisis plan to follow in response to suicide intervention, domestic violence intervention and any other form of crisis situations that may arise in community
• Information sessions and workshops on techniques for healing strategies

Support Services

Supports can include but are not limited to:

• Debriefing and stabilization following crisis situation
• Advocacy on behalf of individuals and families dealing with various agencies
• Meal preparation, transportation, homemaking and other areas requiring support for families in crisis situations such as the suicide of a youth
• Information about/referrals to appropriate resources and services

• Offers culturally relevant victim services within all of the Healing and Wellness programs
• Strives to address, deter and end violence against Métis women and children
• Addresses the mental, physical, emotional and spiritual impacts of victimization

Services include but are not limited to:

• Assistance to navigate available victim services
• Métis-specific resources and access to cultural supports, groups and circles
• Referrals to other programs and agencies including psychiatrists
• Assistance with the development of a safety plan
• Information on local shelters and safe-housing options
• Promotion of MNO Home Flee Kits for those who have fled an abusive or dangerous situation
• Assistance with court procedures including Victim Impact Statements
• Short-term peer support
• Workshops on issues related to violence/victim services

Responsible for probation services to young offenders

Extrajudicial Measures and Extrajudicial Sanctions

• Encourages individuals to take responsibility for their actions and develop skills to reduce the chance that they will get in trouble again

Restorative Justice Programs

• Facilitates communications between the youth, victims, family and the community, with the help of trained adults, to talk about the harm done and how to repair it

Probation

• Coordinates probation services
• Meets with the individual regularly
• Develops an action plan with the youth and the parent or guardian
• Helps the individual stay out of trouble and achieve their goals

Community Service Order

• Develops and supervises a plan for the individual to take responsibility for their actions and contribute to the community

Aboriginal Alternatives to Custody

• Coordinates meaningful programming that hold individuals accountable and address the issues that may have contributed to getting them into trouble

Office is accessible via appointment only; If you require assistance from Victim Services, you must leave a message with dispatch; non-urgent calls are responded to within one business day

• Offers on-site early intervention and crisis intervention
• Provides needs assessment, safety planning and referrals to community services
• Offers enhanced support for vulnerable victims
• Provides assistance with applications to VQRP+

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

• Provides immediate legal assistance to individuals appearing in court without a lawyer
• Informs individuals about legal rights, obligations and the court process
• Provides assistance in the courtroom for bail hearings and sentencing
• Assists with diversions, guilty pleas and adjournments
• Helps determine if further duty counsel services are required or if the matter requires Legal Aid Ontario's assistance in retaining a lawyer

May provide assistance in specialized courts including:

• Aboriginal persons (Gladue) court
• Domestic violence
• Drug treatment
• Mental health

Note: Criminal Duty Counsel cannot assist with trials

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

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

Provides financial and court-based supports to enable victims of crime and families of homicide victims to attend court, including:

• Travel arrangements and expenses
• Language interpretation
• Real-time captioning or other equipment for victims with disabilities

• ​Assists Indigenous women and their families who have experienced family violence
• Promotes a healthy lifestyle, health awareness, and mental health wellness

Services offered include:

• Cultural supports and ceremonies
• Emergency support
• Land-based activities
• Prevention of family violence
• Referrals to other services
• Safety planning
• Traditional healing

Human Trafficking is a criminal offence and involves recruiting, transporting, transferring, receiving, holding, concealing or harbouring a person, or exercising control, direction or influence over the movements of a person, for purpose of exploiting them or facilitating their exploitation

Offers the following services to victims/survivors of human trafficking:

• Provides a confidential 24-hour Crisis Line
• Offers trauma counselling
• Provides outreach to individuals at risk of being victimized
• Offers education, prevention and community supports that will increase awareness and understanding of the causes of human trafficking
• Offers information on police investigation, medical and legal procedures
• Provides individuals advocacy and accompaniment through any procedures they choose
• Offers referrals when requested
• Provides information and support for families and friends of the victim or survivor of human trafficking

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

Provides legal advice and assistance to individuals who do not have the means to assert or defend their legal rights through the following services:

• Client representation in clinic areas of practice
• Free summary legal advice
• Information and referral
• Law reform advocacy
• Public education
• Specialized legal services

Services are offered in the following areas:

• Birth certificates
• Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Disability or Pension benefits
• Canada Child Benefits (CCB)
• Consumer and Credit/Debt issues
• Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (CICB)
• Disability Tax benefits
• Employment Insurance (EI)
• Employment Standards (ESA)
• Human Rights
• Native Status applications
• Old Age Security (OAS)
• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
• Ontario Works
• Residential Tenancies (tenants only)