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RESOURCE CENTRE

You have the right to heal and get the help and information you need.

Explore in-depth resources on women’s issues and services, including violence support, emergency care, harmful practices, and legal discrimination from a network of agencies, community organizations, and service-providers. The resources provided on this page consider relevance, accessibility, diverse lived experiences, and current cultural contexts. 


We aim to offer accurate, evidence-informed, holistic, and user-friendly resources that address various challenges and needs, and consequences of gender inequity to women, girls, and gender expansive community members. This page is constantly updated with new information as it becomes available and relevant. As part of our effort to exercise coordinated community-based responses, our team can also refer and connect you with local, provincial, and national resources through our Peer Support Services.

We seek to limit our recommendations of involving police interventions in certain activities that police currently or historically have engaged in via response or enforcement where and when we can. We share as many non-carceral, non-police crisis response and non-punitive and prevention intervention resources as possible to prevent, interrupt, and reduce the harms of criminalization of women, girls, trans, and gender non-conforming people. You will find that this page also contains alternative responses to crises when an emergency call or situation is reported. We can’t guarantee that there aren’t people who work with law enforcement in the places shared on this page. 

If you are in crisis, or worried about harm to yourself or others in any way, or require immediate support, we urge you to contact an emergency service such as Crisis Services Canada at 1-833-456-4566. Hospitals, walk-in clinics, and family doctors can give you advice on what to do if you are harmed, and can help you with your physical and psychological injuries or refer you to someone who can.

A 24-hour information line about community, social, health and government services in Toronto. Free, confidential and available in many languages.

If outside of the 416 and 647 area call: 416-397-4636 | www.211toronto.ca

Provides emotional support, crisis intervention and suicide prevention, intervention & postvention in English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Portuguese, Spanish, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu, Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm EST.  For at-risk and vulnerable individuals in Peel Region.

Phone: 905-459-7777

Provides peer support by trans people for trans and questioning callers. Crisis and other supports and resources are provided in both English and Spanish from 10:00 am to 4:00 am EST.

Phone: 1-877-330-6366

Provides peer support by and for 2SLGBTQ+ people 29 and under across Ontario. Trained peer support volunteers with a diversity of 2SLGBTQ+ identities provide a range of supports, including questioning gender identity/sexual orientation; coming out; mental health; relationships; social isolation; and referrals to further support. Phone, text and chat are available from Sunday to Friday, 4:00 pm to 9:30 pm EST. This is not a crisis line. Those in immediate crisis will be referred to their local distress centre, Kids Help Phone or Trans Lifeline.

Please note that the phone line is currently unavailable, but text and chat support remains available. Check youthline.ca for updates.

Text: 647-694-4275, Chat: youthline.ca, Phone: 1-800-268-9688

An international hotline that provides youth and particularly Muslim youth with the tools needed to address a range of issues including mental health, drugs and alcohol, bullying, religion, marriage and divorce, domestic issues, pornography, and career or work-related issues. Peer-counsellors provide immediate, anonymous, and confidential support over the phone from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm, 7 days a week and text support from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Monday to Friday.

Phone: 1-866-627-3342 (NASEEHA), Text: 1 (866) 627-3342 (NASEEHA) 

This multicultural youth helpline and service serves all youth and specifically responds to the needs of Black youth.  Contact with the helpline results in a professional, culturally relevant assessment aimed at identifying the root causes of problems and informing the next steps. The helpline can be accessed by youth, families, schools and other stakeholders. Service is provided in English. French and other languages are available upon request. Other languages are available upon request. This is not a crisis line.  The helpline is open from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm, 7 days a week. Clients can also submit service requests 24 hours a day using the contact us form on the website blackyouth.ca.

Toronto phone: 416-285-9944, National phone: 1-833-294-8650, Email: [email protected]

The helpline provides information about home care and community care and offers over-the-phone supportive counselling, de-escalation, and safety planning to seniors in emotional distress or crisis from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday to Friday and 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on weekends. The helpline can connect callers to Woodgreen’s mobile crisis intervention and outreach service for adults 65+ with dementia, addictions or mental illness who need temporary, short-term support.

The mobile service is staffed by crisis workers who can provide in-person assessment, crisis counselling, short-term intensive case management, harm reduction and concurrent disorder services, mental health and addictions support and referrals to other services. The mobile crisis team is available 365 days a year from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Phone: 416-217-2077

Provides support and resources for Indigenous women, by Indigenous women, across Ontario, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Services are grounded in Indigenous culture, wisdom and tradition and are available in Oji-Cree, Ojibway, Cree, Algonquin, Inuktitut, Mohawk, Oneida, Odawa, Potawatomi, Micmac, Black Foot, Anishinaabe, Moose Cree, Swampy Cree and English and French

Phone: 1-855-554-HEAL (4325), Text: 1-855-554-HEAL (4325), Chat: talk4healing.com

This national service provides support to former Residential School students in crisis 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Support is provided by trained crisis counsellors, many of whom are Indigenous.

Phone: 1-866-925-4419

Provides private and confidential crisis intervention and support services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted or experienced physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, ritual or financial abuse; anyone who has had unwanted sexual touching; incest survivors; survivors of childhood and adult sexual assault and family and/or friends. Referrals can be made to other services.

Phone: 416-597-8808

Provides anonymous and confidential crisis counselling, safety planning, emotional support, information and referrals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all women in Ontario who have experienced any form of abuse. Services are also available at all times for women who are deaf, deaf-blind and hard of hearing.

Phone: 1-866-863-0511, TTY: 1-866-863-7868

The Victim Crisis Response Program provides immediate on-scene crisis response, intervention, and prevention services to victims, survivors, family members and witnesses of crime and sudden tragedies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Also provides follow-up referrals to a wide range of programs, services and counselling. The Crisis Response team pairs a Crisis Counsellor with expertise in trauma management and crisis intervention with a trained volunteer. The Crisis Response Program is reflective of the diverse communities in Toronto and provides services in over 35 languages. Please note that some of these services have been modified during COVID-19.

Phone: 416-808-7066

Talk to or text a counsellor. For support at any time of day, children and youth can call 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868 to contact Kids Help Phone. Kids Help Phone can also help you find public resources, services and support for children and youth based on your Location.

A 24/7 service that offers confidential support, referrals, and professional counselling through phone and text.

Step by step information about legal problems.

stepstojustice.ca

Receive information on how to apply for legal aid for court.

legalaid.on.ca Phone: 1-800-668-8258. 

This organization provides programs and services that help people affected by the justice system develop key life skills, navigate issues of criminal justice, and build productive futures after incarceration.

johnhoward.on.ca

This organization provides free legal services to low and no-income Black Ontarians who are facing a legal issues directly related to anti-Black racism.

blacklegalactioncentre.ca

Works with diverse communities to support families during times of crisis, to ensure the safety of the child/youth. 

If you have concerns about a child, please call 416-924-4646 or toll free at 1-866-527-0833.

Provides healthy food for food insecure people. 

To access food banks or referrals to neighbourhood food banks, call 416-203-0050.

The new community-based response model service is person-centred and trauma-informed, focuses on harm reduction. It will be geographically-based and operate in areas of Toronto where there is a demonstrated need and calls for people in crisis are the highest. The service will: Feature mobile multidisciplinary teams of trained crisis support specialists (e.g. community health nurses, crisis counsellors, harm reduction workers, peer workers) Initially operate 24 hours a day, six days a week, Sunday to Friday and move to a 24 hours a day, seven days a week operation. Provide case management support including follow-up support, primary health care, referrals, holistic support, trauma counselling, housing and other individualized supports.

To learn more about the service, visit www.Toronto.ca/CrisisService. Individuals aged 16 years and older can access the TCCS by calling 211 or 911. Multidisciplinary crisis teams will respond to calls received based on the call type, location, and availability of teams.

CTRI envisions a world where everyone is trauma-informed. 

They offer a list of resources such as stress reduction exercises, mindfulness tools, and video workshops: ca.ctrinstitute.com/resources.

TAIBU Community Health Centre offers Black-identifying clients from throughout the Greater Toronto Area access to primary care, health promotion and disease prevention programs in a culturally affirming environment. 

Clinic: (416) 644-3536 Administration: (416) 644-3539 Make an Appointment Online: https://www.taibuchc.ca/en/online-appointment/

Gerstein Crisis Centre offers 24 hour crisis services for individuals 16+ living in the City of Toronto who are living with mental health, concurrent or serious substance use issues. Gerstein Crisis Centre brings decades of experience in providing strengths-based, non-medical, trauma informed service.

Crisis services 24/7 and can be reached by calling 416-929-5200.

Awo Taan is a Calgary shelter for women fleeing domestic violence and all form of abuse. Call their 24/7 helpline (403) 531-1972 or (403) 531-1976.

24-hour family violence help line: 403-234-SAFE (7233) or toll-free 1-866-606-7233.

Counsellors will also respond to emails at: [email protected], or text messages at: 403-604-6689.

Available to Albertans 24/7 in over 170 languages: 310-1818

Online chat available daily 8am-8pm.

 

House to Home (H2H) by WINS, support vulnerable women and families who are financially disadvantaged. Women coming out of crisis situations, transitioning to housing, new to Canada and those who have fallen on difficult times can be referred to WINS for basic needs directly or through their network of 80+ partnered agencies.

If you are looking for a referral for H2H by WINS,  please contact 403.234.8081.

Visit the website to learn more: https://www.winsyyc.ca/house-to-home-by-wins

An app that provides free, anonymous, and confidential referrals to the Canadian abortion clinic or provider nearest you, for both abortion pill and aspiration abortion options. 

www.choiceconnect.ca

24-hour, Canada-wide, toll-free number that provides information on reproductive and sexual health and referrals on pregnancy options. 

www.actioncanadashr.org – Click on “Find a Service Provider” for sexual health centres in your province or email [email protected].

Francophone women. Offre aux femmes d’expression française aux prises avec la violence sexiste, du soutien, des renseignements et de l’aiguillage vers les services appropriés dans leur collectivité. 

Call: 1-877-336-2433  Websitehttps://femaide.ca/

Immediate help (crisis intervention and counselling) to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Call the toll-free Help Line 1-855-242-3310 or visit the website with online chat: www.hopeforwellness.ca

A specialized service for seniors in the Home and Community Care Support Services Toronto Central area which provides assistance in stabilizing age-related mental health and addiction crises, risk and safety assessments, immediate referrals to community mobile crisis units, and support for families and caregivers. 

Call416-619-5001  

The Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic provides free legal, counselling and cultural interpretation services for women survivors of violence.

Call: 416-323-9149 x 234 | www.schliferclinic.com

A multi-service accredited children’s mental health centre that provides a range of mental health, counselling and support services to at-risk and vulnerable youth aged 12-24, and their families.

Phone: 416-925-9250

 Available to Albertans 24/7 in over 170 languages: 310-1818 – Online chat available daily 8am-8pm

24-hour family violence help line: 403-234-SAFE (7233) or toll-free 1-866-606-7233

Counsellors will also respond to emails at: [email protected], or text messages at: 403-604-6689

Support for Albertans Fleeing Abuse
24-hour line: 1-866-644-5135

Offers talk, text and chat support to people in all areas of Alberta who have been impacted by sexual violence.
1-866-403-8000

The heartbeat of Awo Taan Healing Lodge Society is a shelter facility, a place of refuge, healing, and hope for vulnerable women and their children in times of crisis in Calgary, Alberta. The shelter provides basic needs and housing for up to 32 people for a 3-week period.

In addition to meeting basic needs, Awo Taan works to help clients escape cycles of violence or abuse. Their counsellors provide support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to connect our clients to further support and guidance.
Crisis Line 1: (403) 531-1972 or 531-1976 – Crisis Line 2: (403) 531-1970 ext. 210 or 211 – Main Line: (403) 531-1970, ext. 200 – Healing Circles: (403) 531-1970, ext. 205 or 215

Legal resources, contacts and even bail support for anyone who might be questioned about having tried to obtain an illegal abortion, regardless of whether that person did in fact attempt to manage one or was simply having a pregnancy complication but accused anyway.

www.ifwhenhow.org

An online hub for finding endless information about abortion, contraception, reproduction, sexual health, trans health and more.
www.ourbodiesourselves.org

A City of Toronto agency that delivers direct service, accessible space and ongoing leadership that makes a real difference in people’s lives while promoting broader understanding and respect. They respond to the evolving needs of the LGBTQ2S community, from counselling services and queer parenting resources to coming out groups, trans programming and senior’s support.

Front Desk: 416-392-6874 | [email protected]

A Toronto-based organization and members committed to improving the lives and working conditions of people in low-wage and unstable jobs.

(416) 531-0778 or 1-855-531-0778

The Caregivers’ Action Centre (CAC) started through conversations over a decade ago. CAC is winning improvements in working conditions and migrant rights while building a powerful movement of Care Workers. 

Call, text, or Whatsapp 647-782-6633 | www.caregiversactioncentre.org/resources

The Workers’ Health and Safety Legal Clinic (WHSLC) provides legal services to low-income non-unionized workers who need assistance with legal matters that relate to their employment rights or their health and safety rights at work. Their legal services include summary legal advice, brief legal services, referrals, and legal representation.

The Workers’ Health and Safety Legal Clinic’s services are available by phone and email Mon-Fri between 9 am and 5 pm. They are not providing in-person services at this time.

416-971-8832 (Local) or 1-877-832-6090 (Toll free) | email: [email protected].

The HRLSC provides services throughout Ontario and has lawyers located in Toronto, Guelph, Hamilton, London, Thunder Bay, and Windsor. 

1-866-625-5179 | www.hrlsc.on.ca 

The Sexual Harassment and Assault Resource Exchange (SHARE) is a service that supports all workers in Ontario with experiences of workplace sexual harassment, workplace-related sexual assault, and gender-based harassment in the workplace. 

They provide free, confidential legal advice to workers about all legal and non-legal options to address their experience. Services are available to all workers regardless of age, immigration status, or income.

Their goal is to support diverse groups of workers and empower them with legal information to make informed decisions about which steps, if any, they would like to take.

1-866-625-5179, press 5 for SHARE

IAVGO is a charitable not-for-profit community-based legal clinic that has provided free legal services to injured workers in Ontario since 1975. They are funded by Legal Aid Ontario. IAVGO operates Advocates for Injured Workers, a student legal aid clinic.

416-924-6477 (Local) 1-877-230-6311 (Toll-free in Ontario) 1-866-521-8535 (Toll-free in Canada for Migrant Workers) 

Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre (DEWC) provides a safe, non-judgmental environment for self-identifying women (cis, trans, 2S), from all walks of life, who live and/or work in the Downtown Eastside. DEWC provides supportive surroundings with meals, counselling, advocacy, and programs which nurture and empower members.

604-723-6782

WhereToStart.ca is the access point for free and confidential mental health services for children, youth and families who live in the Region of Peel, which comprises of the cities of Mississauga and Brampton, and the town of Caledon. When you call them, they will listen to your concerns and help connect you with the most appropriate mental health program or service for you.

WhereToStart.ca’s four core service providers deliver child and youth mental health programs and services to children and youth up to age 25 who live in the Region of Peel. Services are free and confidential and include assessment, treatment and education delivered by qualified mental health professionals. Your treatment plan will be customized to address your individual needs and circumstances.

wheretostart.ca 

The Legal Aid Program provides contribution funding to the provinces and territories for the delivery of legal aid services for economically disadvantaged persons. This federal-provincial/territorial collaboration on legal aid is based on the shared responsibility for criminal justice by the federal government, under its constitutional authority for criminal law-making and procedure, and by the provincial/territorial governments, under their constitutional authority for the administration of justice, including legal aid.

www.justice.gc.ca/eng/fund-fina/gov-gouv/aid-aide.html

‘me too’ movement’s healing resources includes toolkits, a directory, and healing support specialists who can connect survivors with counsellors, therapy centres, and other resources.

You can get help or find curated resources by visiting the ‘me too’ site: metoomvmt.org/explore-healing/resource-library/

me too’s Moving from Bystander to Advocate: This guide includes guidance to support people who are witnessing a sexual assault, sexual abuse or sexual violence and for when someone confides in you their experience of sexual assault.

Visit the guide: metoomvmt.org/take-action/action-toolkits/moving-from-bystander-to-advocate/

This guide focuses on the critical role that loved ones play in supporting survivors and their healing, as well as the importance of self-care and healthy ways to process while supporting others.

www.rainn.org/sites/default/files/Toolkit_0.pdf

Community partner of Legal Aid BC – Legal aid applications, transition houses for women, crisis line and victim services, counselling, early childhood programming and parental support.

www.trailfair.ca/crisis-legal-assistance-services

Advice and representation for criminal matters, Indigenous legal issues, family law matters, child protection, human rights complaints, letters of administration, police complaints.

www.allard.ubc.ca/community-clinics/indigenous-community-legal-clinic/information-clients

Rise is a pro bono community legal clinic and teaching facility serving women and gender diverse people all over BC. They provide unbundled legal services (primarily in family law) for clients otherwise unable to access legal help.

Their clients include people who are economically disadvantaged, members of marginalized groups, and people seeking protection from family violence. They also provide legal support to advocates, transition house workers, settlement, and community workers across the province.

www.womenslegalcentre.ca/request-an-appointment

The Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP (CRCC) is an independent body that reviews complaints about police officer conduct and may provide recommendations for RCMP policies and practices. 

www.crcc-ccetp.gc.ca/en/make-complaint-form

For 40+ years, the warmth of The Kettle Society has empowered with people living with mental illness, substance use, poverty, and/or homelessness by providing housing, employment, community services and enrichment programs in Vancouver, BC.

Phone: 604-251-2854
www.thekettle.ca/community-services

In Canada, the #MeToo movement led to the formation of Aftermetoo, a registered Canadian charity dedicated to ending sexual violence in the workplace.

Website: www.aftermetoo.com

PSPNET is a clinical unit located at the University of Regina within the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT) that delivers and conducts research on various aspects of Internet-delivered Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (ICBT) for Public Safety Personnel (PSP), including first responders.

Website: www.pspnet.ca

Wellness Together Canada was created in response to a rise in mental health and substance use concerns since the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Wellness Together Canada is a collaborative project. Their mission is to provide high-quality resources for everybody. They are supported by a wide network of organizations, with decades of experience. Whatever the need, their partners are prepared to help.

Wellness Together Canada is designed to be used on demand. That means you get to choose what you need, when you need it. Their services range from basic wellness information, to one-on-one sessions with a counsellor, to community support. Whatever it is you’re looking for, they’re here to point you towards the best resources out there.

If you would like additional information about their mental health and substance use resources and support call 1-866-585-0445 to speak with a Program Navigator.

Immediate Crisis Support: Text WELLNESS to 741741

Website: www.wellnesstogether.ca

Oasis Youth Care Program exists to provide extensive transitional support services in Housing, Life Coaching, Life Skills Training and Mentoring, to vulnerable and racialized youth ageing out of the child protection and foster care system.
Central to our program model is the key belief that despite a difficult start to life, youth from care can thrive and succeed, as youth in the general population, when they are supported with a gradual and extended evidence-based transition process.

Website: www.oasisyouthcare.com

Help Ahead is for anyone under 18 looking for mental health and well-being services in Toronto, in both English or French, or for anyone looking to support a child or youth aged 0-18 and their family in accessing local services or programs.

Website: www.helpahead.ca
Phone: 1-866-585-6486

mindyourmind exists in the space where mental health, wellness, engagement and technology meet. We work with community partners and young people aged 14 to 29 to co-create interactive tools and innovative resources to build capacity and resilience.

Website: www.mindyourmind.ca
Phone: 1-866-585-6486

SAVIS provides 24/7 support through our support and crisis line, offering free, confidential and non-judgmental assistance to survivors of sexual assault and violence. This support line can be used by anyone who has experienced distress or trauma and to support people of survivors such as friends, partners and family members. The line is answered by staff and skilled volunteers who have successfully completed in-depth frontline training. Our support line is routed through an answering service that will take the caller’s contact number and pass it on to the worker who is on call. The caller’s contact number is always kept confidential.

Tel: 905-825-3622 
Email: [email protected]

The Women’s Mosque of Canada is a sacred space for Muslim Women to pray, learn and grow.

Contact: [email protected]

Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre provides support services to survivors of sexualized violence who are of marginalized genders: cis and trans women, Two-Spirit, trans and/or non-binary people. WAVAW offers one-to-one counselling and support groups free of charge to survivors who’ve experienced sexual assault. Bus tickets and childcare subsidies can be prearranged. ​

Phone: 1 877 392 7583 (24/7 crisis and information line, free and confidential) or 604 255 6344

Website: www.wavaw.ca

MOSAIC (M.O.S.A.I.C. Multi-lingual Orientation Service Association for Immigrant Communities) is one of Canada’s largest settlement non-profit organizations. Their newcomer services change the lives of immigrants, refugees, and individuals from diverse backgrounds in Greater Vancouver and throughout BC.

To speak with a counsellor, call 236 512 6093.

Or email ​​[email protected] or [email protected]

Indigenous culturally-aware crisis support for Indigenous peoples in British Columbia. 

Phone: 1 800-588 8717

Online chat service for adults. Available noon to 1:00 a.m. PST.

Website: www.crisiscentrechat.ca

International Women of Saskatoon (IWS) is a non-profit, grassroots and an equality-seeking women’s organization dedicated to improving the status of immigrant and refugee women and their families residing in Saskatoon and area by assisting them to become full participating members in all aspects of the Canadian society.

Website: https://iwssaskatoon.org/

MOSAIC (M.O.S.A.I.C. Multi-lingual Orientation Service Association for Immigrant Communities) is one of Canada’s largest settlement non-profit organizations. Our newcomer services change the lives of immigrants, refugees, and individuals from diverse backgrounds in Greater Vancouver and throughout BC.

Email: [email protected] | Phone: 604-254-9626

MOSAIC provides interpretation and translation services in over 80 languages. Contact MOSAIC Interpretation and Translation Services for all your needs. MOSAIC provide the language support you need to gain access to new opportunities. Their team of over 300 professional, certified and/or accredited interpreters and translators provide services in over 80 languages. They help with any personal or professional interpretation and translation needs.

Website: https://mosaicbc.org/our-services/interpretation-and-translation-for-business/

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