In its fifth consecutive year, shelters across the province are actively engaging the community to raise awareness about the often-overlooked issue of women’s abuse in Canada.
November is designated as Women Abuse Prevention Month in Ontario. However, the strength of an entire community is essential to putting an end to violence against women.
This November, we extend an invitation to everyone, regardless of your location, to join us in demonstrating support. To support the community, we’ve compiled a list of educational, preventative, and action-focused resources to help those affected by gender-based and domestic violence. We want to collectively convey to women and their children that they are not alone and their community stands in solidarity with them.
We encourage you to share this list with anyone who it could help.
Read – Understanding Domestic Violence, Warning Signs and Prevention:
- Take action: 10 ways you can help end violence against women | UN Women
- Push forward: 10 ways to end violence against women | UN Women
- The Facts about Gender-Based Violence | Canadian Women’s Foundation
- Family Violence Prevention Resources – Women – Information sheets, Booklets & Fact sheets | Canada.ca
- Building the Field of Teen Healthy Relationships | Canadian Women’s Foundation
- Prevent violence and abuse – Canada.ca
- Information on preventing violence and abuse, including knowing how to build healthy relationships, practising positive parenting and responding to stress.
For Women:
Support Organizations & Tools
- STEAR – Personalized Support for Economic Abuse Recovery – CCFWE
- STEAR is a free, easy-to-use web and mobile app that centralizes safety, financial, and legal information for women who have experienced IPV and Economic Abuse. The app aims to be a one-stop-shop for victims of GBV, connecting them with appropriate resources to help rebuild their economic security during an abusive relationship or post-separation. This app includes a short questionnaire that will help guide users to the appropriate resources according to their situation.
- Safe Pathways Northwest Territories
- Blank PDFs and forms to help create a safety plan and information on what you can do to stay safe. Create and use this plan as a guide and reminder to find ways to be safe.
- Loblaws, Shoppers Drug Mart and other Toronto stores roll out ‘Ask for Angela’ campaign
- Toronto Victim Services has partnered with Loblaw Companies to launch a new program aimed at improving safety and helping those experiencing domestic violence. The system involves training staff to be aware of what it means when a person at one of the participating stores approaches them, asking for Angela. The code word “Angela” will in turn, let the employee know that the person approaching them needs help.
- Assaulted Women’s Helpline
- For over 30 years, the Assaulted Women’s Helpline has served as a free, anonymous and confidential 24-hour telephone and TTY crisis telephone line to all women in the province of Ontario who have experienced any form of abuse. Deaf, deaf-blind and hard-of-hearing services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 1-866-863-0511
- iDetermine.ca
- The Redwood’s safe, accessible, and private online platform for women, trans and gender-diverse individuals who are looking for support to leave or cope with an abusive relationship. To get help 24/7 live chat on iDetermine.ca, text 647.370.8300 or call 416.533.8538.
- Shelter Movers
- Shelter Movers is a national, volunteer-powered charitable organization providing moving and storage services at no cost to individuals and families fleeing abuse. We collaborate with local businesses and community agencies to support people, primarily women and children, as they transition to a life free of violence.
- Luke’s Place
- Family Law Information & Safety Help; online digital resources with more services in Ontario and within the Durham Region
- Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario (EAPO)
- EAPO is the provincial organization recognized for its leadership in elder abuse prevention in the province, providing education, training, resource development and information about the increasingly complex issues of elder abuse.
- Domestic Violence Resources | Canadian Association of Social Workers
- Resources for those who are or know someone who is seeking help
- Get help to deal with violence and abuse | Canada.ca
- Luke’s Place
- Family Law Information & Safety Help; Digital resources with more services in Ontario and in the Durham Region
- The Redwood
- The Redwood offers safety, healing and opportunities for growth for women and their children fleeing abuse. Families receive case management and counselling services from Resident Services Counselors, access to empowering and life-changing programs, and transitional support when they are ready to take the steps toward a new life.
Local Support
- Find family violence resources and services in your area | Canada.ca
- Provincial and territorial resources on gender-based violence | Women and Gender Equality Canada
- Victim Services Directory & Map | Canada.ca
- The Victim Services Directory (VSD) has been created by the Policy Centre for Victim Issues of the Department of Justice Canada to help service providers, victims and individuals locate services for victims of crime across Canada.
- Alberta:
- British Columbia:
- Manitoba:
- New Brunswick:
- Newfoundland:
- Northwest Territories:
- Nova Scotia:
- Nunavut:
- Ontario:
- Get help if you are experiencing violence | ontario.ca
- The Ontario Association of Interval & Transition Houses (OAITH)
- OAITH is a coalition of first-stage emergency women’s shelters, 2nd stage housing organizations and community-based women’s organizations who work towards ending violence against all women
- Mulberry Finder
- Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Services in Ontario
- Wrapped in Courage – Ontario Support Database
- Database for gender-based violence services that are available across Ontario
- Family Transition Place (Ontario)
- Our Mission is to support the holistic well-being of those affected by gender-based violence and promote healthy relationships and community through education.
- PEI:
- Quebec:
- Saskatchewan:
- Victims of Crime and Abuse | Justice, Crime and the Law | Government of Saskatchewan
- 211 Saskatchewan
- This website was developed in partnership between the Ministry of Justice and 211 Saskatchewan (a service of United Way), to provide information and resources for people experiencing violence and those who support them.
- Yukon: Support a victim of domestic violence | Government of Yukon
Prevention:
- Engaging Men to End Gender-Based Violence
- CREVAWC
- The Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women & Children (CREVAWC) invests in and conducts research that investigates systemic and structural barriers to the safety of women and children, reflecting Western’s desire to serve the public interest and advance knowledge locally and globally.
- Safer Access for Everyone in the Rainbow Project (SAFER)
- SAFER delivers training, a public education campaign, and national and regional knowledge mobilizing events, to address and prevent gender-based violence (GBV) against 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. SAFER has been made possible due to the generous support provided by the Women’s Program at Women and Gender Equality (WAGE).
- Wrapped In Courage
- Awareness Campaign and local events across Ontario
For People Working With Survivors:
- For service providers | Luke’s Place
- Training and resources for service providers
- Resources for professionals: Stop family violence | Canada.ca
- Access resources from the VEGA (Violence, Evidence, Guidance, Action) Project to assist providers in recognizing and responding safely to family violence. Online content is aimed at health care and social service providers, including students and those in practice.
- Domestic Violence Resources, Continuing Education, and Training for Social Workers | Canadian Association of Social Workers
For Men:
- Engaging Men to End Gender-Based Violence: Resource & Strategy Center
- Engaging Men is a critical strategy in the effort to promote gender equity and end gender-based violence. This site is a virtual hub to advance your strategic planning, program development, and implementation to meaningfully engage men to end and prevent domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking (U.S.-based).
- 1in6
- At least 1 in 6 men have been sexually abused or assaulted. If you’re a man who has experienced sexual abuse or assault, you are not alone. 1in6 is here to support you in your path to a happier, healthier future.
- Domestic Abuse, Violence and Trauma Support for Men
- Are You a Man Who Has Experienced Domestic Abuse, Violence or Trauma? Introducing the first program of its kind. The Canadian Centre for Men and Families is offering support services dedicated to men and open to all male-identified people. Join us for positive, affirming and confidential support.
Note: This resource list has been curated by the Canadian Women’s Chamber of Commerce for educational purposes in order to support women, non-binary and transgender people in Canada. We are not affiliated with these groups and are not responsible for any changes in availability, outdated information or broken links on these websites.
Are we missing a resource? Contact Us.