Health & Wellness

Abuse/Violence Related Support

Bethlehem Housing and Support Services - Violence Against Women Services

58 Welland Ave
St Catharines, ON
L2R 2M5

Assists women who have experienced abuse during the course of their lives. Abuse may have occurred during a past relationship or it may be an ongoing concern in a current relationship.

Community Support Workers meet with participants and offer supports including safety planning, referrals to emergency shelters, advocacy, and accompaniment.

Operates from a feminist perspective which includes empowerment, re-affirmation, support, and advocacy, while maintaining a non-judgmental approach.

Support services include:

• Short-term, supportive counselling for women in the community
• Development of safety strategies or plans for women and their children
• Provision of information on rights, options, and available services
• Referrals or linking women to appropriate services
• Cultural interpretation
• Advocacy with other agencies (i.e. legal, financial, etc.)

https://www.bethlehemhousing.ca

Intake Support Worker: 905-641-1660 ext 228

Fax: 905-684-1666

Mon-Thu 8:30 am-4:30 pm, Fri 8:30 am-12 noon

Birchway Niagara

8903 McLeod Rd
Niagara Falls, ON
L2H 3S6

Provides shelter and services for women and children experiencing abuse. Services include:

• 24-hour support line (call or text - 905-356-5800)
• Counselling and emotional support for women and children/youth who are being or who have been abused
• Safety planning
• Transitional and housing support
• Public education program
• Referrals

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

Services are available on an in-shelter or office visit basis.

https://www.birchway.ca/

Office: 905-356-3933

Crisis: 905-356-5800

Administration Mon-Thu 9 am-5 pm, Fri 9 am-1 pm
Support Line/ShelterServices Mon-Sun 24 hours

Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton / Niagara, Centre de santé communautaire Niagara - Counselling and Community Initiatives

810 East Main St
Welland, ON
L3B 3Y4

Children's Mental Health Program:

A wide variety of services are available to assist children, youth and families coping with mild to moderate mental health issues. Individualized assessment, counselling, case management and follow-up services are available to French-speaking children who have been exposed both directly and indirectly to some form of trauma such as violence, abuse, intimidation, war or torture.

The Service Coordination Program provides assistance to children and youth who require specialized mental health services that are currently not available in French. Services in this program may include: accompaniments and interpretation services, assisting English-speaking mental health professionals in the development of case plans for French-speaking clients, carrying out client assessments, counselling/treatment and case management services as agreed upon and in collaboration with the English-speaking service provider.

Adult Counselling Services:

Counselling services for those facing issues such as depression, bereavement, relationship difficulties with children etc.

Provides counselling and transitional support services for individuals identifying as women and for women who have been or are currently victims of abuse and/or sexual abuse. Also offering services for men who have been victims of abuse and/or sexual abuse during their childhood. Practical assistance such as accompaniments to lawyers' appointments, referrals to shelters or other housing options and safety planning are available. Off site services may be available to abusive partners through the Partner Abuse Response (PAR) program.

The CSC also partners with a 24 hour French Language Crisis line for victims of woman abuse "Femaide" 1-877-336-2433 1-877-FEMAIDE.

https://www.cschn.ca

Office: 905-734-1141

Crisis : 1-877-336-2433 (1-877-FEMAIDE)

Toll Free: 1-866-885-5947

Fax: 905-734-1678

Mon-Fri 9 am-5 pm

Design for A New Tomorrow

60 James St
Ste 502 St Catharines, ON
L2R 7E7

Support individuals who have experienced abuse in intimate adult relationships in their journey towards healthy self-directed lives and respectful relationships.

A community based program funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services which provides individual and group counselling to enable women to become non-victims of physical or mental abuse. Participates in the Coalition to End Violence Against Women, which promotes and facilitates a coordinated community response to the abatement of violence against women.

* public education * intervention * treatment * follow-up * counselling * women's group

The Partner Assault Response Program is for individuals who have been abusive to their partners and are committed to change. Individuals are ordered by the court to attend the program in response to a criminal charge involving domestic violence.

https://www.design4newtomorrow.ca

Office: 905-684-1223 ext 1

Fax: 905-684-8067

Mon-Fri 8:30 am-4:30 pm

Gillian's Place

15 Gibson Place
St Catharines, ON
L2R 0A3

Offer confidential, non-judgmental advice and support for women, and gender - and sexually - diverse individuals, and their children experiencing gender-based violence and abuse.

Services include:

• emergency shelter
• 24/7 support line (call/text)
• compassionate counselling
• safety planning
  
• legal advice and support
• child and youth programming
• violence prevention programs and education
• second-stage housing
• transitional housing and support
• mental health and addictions 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

Individuals and families 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.

https://www.gilliansplace.com

Administration : 905-684-4000

Crisis: 905-684-8331

Fundraising : 905-684-4000 ext 254

Fax: 1-866-617-7604

Mon-Sun 24 hours

Niagara Health - Sexual Assault / Domestic Violence Treatment Program

St Catharines Site, 1200 Fourth Ave
St Catharines, ON
L2S 0A9

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 or urgent care centre in the Niagara Region. The on-call Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence nurse will be contacted.

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.

https://www.niagarahealth.on.ca/site/sexual-assault-domestic-violence-treatment-program

Office: 905-378-4647 ext 45300

Emergency Medical Service Mon-Sun 24 hours * Counselling Intake Wed 9 am-12 noon

Niagara Sexual Assault Centre

Landmark Building, 43 Church St
Suite 503 St Catharines, ON
L2R 7E1

Crisis intervention and culturally sensitive counselling, supports and referrals

• a 24 hour telephone crisis line
• individual counselling and support groups
• legal support, advocacy, information, and referrals
• court support, accompaniment and advocacy program
• information on alternatives to legal justice system
• public education and training to end gender based violence in our community
• all services confidential
• Trans/ gender diverse positive environment

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, and Welland.

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 12 days 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 defense * Sex Trafficking Awareness Programs

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)

https://www.niagarasexualassaultcentre.com

Office: 905-682-7258

Crisis: 905-682-4584

Crisis: 905-329-4011

Fax: 905-682-2114

Administration Mon-Fri 9 am-4:30 pm * Crisis Support Line and Sex Trafficking Crisis Line Mon-Sun 24 hours

Ontario. Ministry of the Attorney General, Court Services - Victim / Witness Assistance Program, St Catharines

Robert S K Welch Courthouse, 59 Church St
St Catharines, ON
L2R 7N8

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. Services include:

• 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 (VVFF) -- Helps support victims of violent crime, families of homicide victims and families of motor vehicle fatalities participate more fully in the criminal court process by providing financial assistance and court-based supports for:

• travel to attend key court dates
• language interpretation services
• special accommodations for victims with disabilities, such as real-time captioning
• basic necessities for victims of human trafficking or gun and gang violence while attending for court

https://www.ontario.ca/page/victimwitness-assistance-program

Office: 905-685-2671

Fax: 905-685-2673

Mon-Fri 8:30 am-5 pm

Ontario. Ministry of the Attorney General, Court Services - Victim / Witness Assistance Program, Welland

Welland Courthouse, 102 East Main St
Welland, ON
L3B 3W6

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. Services include:

• 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 (VVFF) -- Helps support victims of violent crime, families of homicide victims and families of motor vehicle fatalities participate more fully in the criminal court process by providing financial assistance and court-based supports for:

• travel to attend key court dates
• language interpretation services
• special accommodations for victims with disabilities, such as real-time captioning
• basic necessities for victims of human trafficking or gun and gang violence while attending for court

https://www.ontario.ca/page/victimwitness-assistance-program

Office: 905-735-4326

Office: 905-685-2671

Mon-Fri 8:30 am-4:30 pm