Searching for Shelter For Abused Women

Operates a 24-bed emergency shelter for women and children who have been affected by abuse and violence

Offers the following services:

• Advocacy
• Assistance in finding housing
• In-House Child Care
• Parenting Skills
• Short and Long-Term Counselling

• Operates a 24-bed emergency shelter for women who have been victims of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, and their children
• Operates a 24-hour crisis support phone line and walk-in crisis service
• Offers long-term and crisis counselling for women who have been victims of sexual assault or abuse both current and historic
• Offers educational groups on topics such as self-esteem, self worth, exploring the cycle of violence, healthy relationships, safety planning, housing, and advocacy
• Offers client referrals for counselling and to government services
• Provides community education and awareness on the issues of abuse
• Provides on site child care for women who are residents of the shelter for court dates, doctors appointments, group sessions
• Offers on site child care for non-resident women during group sessions, Call for information on programs offering this service
• Offers parenting support and counselling sessions
• Offers a Family Court Support Worker Program

Note: A woman does not have to be a resident of the centre to access these 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

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 (OW)
• Residential Tenancies (tenants only)

Note: No advice or representation is given regarding Family Law, Criminal Law, or Refugee Law

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 certificate program for complex and serious cases

Areas of law served include:

• Criminal
• Domestic violence
• Family

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

Until we can reopen our offices, we continue to offer individual and group services by phone, email and virtual meetings.
You can reach us by phone and email: www.centrevictoria.ca/nous-joindre
Our 24/7 Fem'aide service is always available 24/7 at 1-877-336-2433.

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If you are looking for a shelter, call Fem'aide 1-877-336-2433 or the accommodation closest to you:

• Maison Genevra / YWCA Sudbury - www.ywcasudbury.ca - 705-673-4754
• Maplegate House for Women (Elliot Lake) - www.maplegate.info - 705-461-7977
• Women In Crisis (Sault Ste. Marie) - www.womenincrisis.ca - 705-759-1230
• Chadwic Home (Wawa) - www.chadwichome.com - 705-856-2848

Operates a counselling centre dedicated to providing services to Francophone women who have experienced any type of violence including sexual, physical, psychological, verbal, economical

Offers an array of services including the following:

• Fem'aide, a 24-hour crisis telephone service
• Individual counselling
• Support groups
• Referrals to other community agencies and services
• Crisis intervention services
• Accompaniment to various appointments and meetings
• Public education and awareness campaigns

Operates an emergency shelter for abused women and their children in a crisis situation

• Offers overnight shelter and the basic essentials required to be safe during a crisis time
• Provides a 24-hour crisis line

• 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