Calgary, AB: Sexual Violence Resources
- BOLT Safety
- 7 days ago
- 5 min read
CW: sexual violence, domestic abuse
If someone’s life is in danger, call 911 immediately.
Who this resource is for:
Victims / survivors of sexual violence and/or domestic abuse
Allies who either know someone who has experienced violence, or wish to learn how to help those in crisis
Kindly note: If you have experienced harm, it was not your fault, and we stand with you in whatever choice you make moving forward.
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MEDICAL CARE
Life-threatening injuries: call 911, ask for an ambulance
With minor or less apparent injuries: may go to the hospital and request a sexual assault examination (also known as a ‘rape kit’) to be performed and collect evidence
Medical professionals can provide testing, options, guidance on pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
Survivors may feel vulnerable, angry, confused, depressed, or another way after a sexual assault – all of which are valid. There are mental health professionals who can help with the healing process. More immediately, survivors may find comfort in their chosen ‘Safe Buddies’, which include trusted friends or family members.
For mental health related support and helplines, follow the links below:
Canadian Immigrant Women's Association
Website: https://ciwa-online.com/
Phone: 403-263-4414
Email: welcome@ciwa.org
About: Supports immigrant and refugee women, girls and their families. With more than 50 programs that can offer support with settlement needs, language and employment training, family matters and much more.
Sagesse
Website: https://www.sagesse.org/
Phone: 403-234-7337 or 587-801-7337
About: support individuals impacted by abuse, while also challenging norms and advocating for large-scale societal change that will eradicate abuse in Alberta. Offers support groups, workshops and domestic abuse screening services.
211 Alberta
Website: https://ab.211.ca/
Phone: 211
About: An essential service that helps Albertans find the right resource or service for whatever issue they need help with, at the right time. 211 is available 24/7 by phone, text and chat. Services include: addiction support, mental health support, crisis resources, housing, and more
Coping After a Traumatic Event
Full resource from HealthLink BC:
It is normal to experience emotional, behavioural, and physical changes after experiencing a traumatic event, like:
Feeling hopelessness or numbness
Withdrawing from social connections, getting flashbacks to the incident(s)
Having trouble sleeping, eating
Experiencing fatigue, headaches, dizziness that can’t otherwise be explained
Healthy ways of coping can include:
Speaking with a counselor
Referrals can be obtained from your family physician
Can also contact the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA): https://cmha.ca/find-help/find-cmha-in-your-area/
Connecting with family, friends, or a support group
Eating balanced meals and sleeping adequately
Physical exercise (going on walks, playing sports)
Being kind to yourself and giving yourself time and space to heal
Avoid relying on substances, like alcohol, to cope
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CRIME REPORTING AND LEGAL OPTIONS
Survivors have the choice to decide whether they want to press charges or file a police, institutional, or otherwise systems-based report.
POLICE
Choosing to speak with the police about any incident does not generally obligate an individual to press charges or engage in legal proceedings; for instance, individuals may choose to simply consult the police about the nature of the crime, and their options going forward.
VICTIM SERVICES
Alberta RCMP
Phone number: 1-866-403-8000
About: offers free text, call and chat to learn more information about available supports, police reporting options and the criminal justice process.
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UNDERSTANDING DOMESTIC ABUSE
There are many forms of abuse. Specifically, domestic abuse, or intimate partner violence, is a form of abuse used by the abuser to maintain power in a relationship through verbal, emotional, mental, sexual, reproductive, financial, or physical abuse and coercion.
Help is available. Options include:
Find a ‘Safe Buddy’ to check-in regularly (trusted friends or family) and make a safety plan
Online safety: use of ‘incognito’ web browsers and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to minimize the risk of web searches being tracked
Safe housing and shelters
YW Crisis shelter
Phone: 403-263-1550
Crisis line: 403-266-0707
About: a short-stay crisis shelter for women and their children leaving domestic abuse and violence. The shelter provides basic needs, including food and personal items, as well as individual domestic abuse counselling and support
Safe Hubs:
Intermediate safe spaces are available in your community, acting as a bridge between where you are, and professional support. We’ve partnered with organisations and businesses in your local community, and you can find them on our interactive map at boltsafety.org/safehubs
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BEING AN ALLY
If you’re worried about the safety of a loved one, how can you help? Be kind, understanding, and above all else, non-judgmental.
If their life is in danger, call 911. Otherwise, you can share resources and information, like this article, to help guide and inform their decision.
For someone in an abusive relationship: Victims may be unaware they’re in an abusive relationship if they are experiencing gaslighting, or dependent on their abuser for essentials like a home, their meals, and financial resources. Gaslighting is when the abuser denies ever being abusive when confronted about their actions and behaviour, and is a form of mental and emotional abuse. For the person you are trying to help, even though they may not immediately leave their relationship, you showing belief in their experience validates it, and may give them the strength and assurance needed to leave.
For a victim / survivor of sexual violence: As an ally, you can also offer to go with them to the police, the hospital, to court, or be with them when they call a crisis line or shelter. When victims are isolated from their support networks, it, unfortunately, gives their abuser more power over them.
Believe them. Stand with them, no matter what they decide to do (or not do). Be an ally.
More BOLT Safety resources:
Let’s talk about consent: https://www.boltsafety.org/post/let-s-talk-about-consent
Making a personal safety plan: https://www.boltsafety.org/post/safety_plan
What is gaslighting? https://www.boltsafety.org/post/what-is-gaslighting
Recognizing signs of abuse: https://www.boltsafety.org/post/recognizing-signs-of-abuse
Kindly note: when an individual experiences violence, their choice, dignity, and autonomy is taken away from them physically, emotionally, and psychologically. This resource is not meant to be prescriptive, but rather offer options that a survivor may choose to pursue – in the aftermath of a traumatic experience, the choice should fully be in the survivor’s hands.
Terminology: We generally advocate for the use of the term ‘survivor’, however, we additionally use the term ‘victim’ in the context of being victimized by a crime. This is also to respect the varied vocabulary that individuals may choose to describe their experiences.
End victim-blaming: The victim of a crime is never to blame for what was done to them by a perpetrator. The role of an ally is to provide non-judgmental, empathetic, and heartfelt support.
If you know of a resource that should be included here, please email our team at info@boltsafety.org
In solidarity,
The team at BOLT Safety Society
Donate: ko-fi.com/boltsafety
BOLT Safety Society is a federally registered not-for-profit organization in Canada.
Disclaimer: We endeavor to verify published information with experts. You are using our information, resources, and programs at your own risk. Please contact us if you see an error so that we can investigate the matter and make corrections where necessary.