2. Find the support you need

Besides shelters, there are many other organizations and helplines that help survivors of domestic abuse.

Other organizations

The following organizations focus on helping people who have been abused:

• The Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres is a network of 20 community-based rape crisis centres across the province. Every centre offers counseling and referrals to people who have experienced sexual abuse.
• The Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres has centres in 35 hospitals across Ontario. The centres provide emergency care to women, children, and men who have been sexually assaulted or have experienced partner abuse. Their services include emergency medical and nursing care, helping in a crisis situation, collecting physical evidence for courts, medical follow-up, and counseling. The Network can be reached at 416 323-7327.
• There are many Family Service Agencies that offer individual and family counseling. Some agencies also offer other services, such as helping you create a plan to pay off and manage debt, or group programs for people getting separated or divorced. Fees are based on how much you can pay.

Helplines

There are many 24-hour emergency helplines available. These helplines offer emotional support and can refer you to community services that help people who have experienced abuse. Their services are available free of charge. You can call:

• the distress line in your region
• The Assaulted Women’s Helpline: 1-800-863-0511. Help is available in English and translators are available by phone in many other languages
• Talk4Healing: If you're an Indigenous woman living in Northern Ontario and speak English, Ojibway, Oji-Cree, or Cree, call 1-855-554-4325
• Ganohkwasra Family Assault Support Services: If you're part of the Six Nations of the Grand River community, call 519-445-4324

If you speak French, you can call:

• Fem’aide: 1-877-336-2433
• Oasis centre des femmes: 416-591-6565
• La Maison d’hébergement pour femmes francophones: 647-777-6433