Here is a list of crisis support resources you can access in times of emergencies, including helplines and websites.
RESOURCE DATABASES
BC Women’s Hospital: Resources for violence against women
CRISIS LINES
Canada: Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre (formerly the WAVAW Rape Crisis Centre)
Website: https://www.salalsvsc.ca/
Call: (604) 255-6228
About: "We are a feminist, anti-oppressive, decolonizing sexual violence support centre operating on unceded Coast Salish Territories. We provide support services to survivors of sexualized violence who have shared experiences of gender marginalization: cis and trans women, Two-Spirit, trans and/or non-binary people. We advocate for social and systemic change through education, outreach and activism." This includes a 24-hour crisis and info line, hospital, police, and court accompaniment, and counselling.
We interviewed the Salal team to learn more about how they support survivors. Stay tuned for the video!
USA: RAINN Sexual Assault Hotline
Blurb: "National Sexual Assault Hotline. Free. Confidential. 24/7."
Website: rainn.org
Call their helpline: +1 (800) 656-4673
Vancouver, BC: DTES Women’s Centre
Blurb: “DEWC is one of the few safe spaces within the Downtown Eastside exclusively for self-identified women and their children”
Website: dewc.ca
Call: 604-681-8480
Crisis Services Canada
Blurb: “If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, the Canada Suicide Prevention Service is available 24/7”
Website: crisisservicescanada.ca
Call: +1 (833) 456-4566
Canada: Kids Help Phone
Blurb: “Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only 24/7, national support service. We offer professional counselling, information and referrals and volunteer-led, text-based support to young people in both English and French.”
Website: kidshelpphone.ca
Call: +1 (800) 668-6868
Battered Women’s Support Services
Blurb: The BWSS provides many support services for survivors, including their 24/7 crisis line, transition houses and shelters.
Website: bwss.org
Call: (604) 652-1867 or +1 (855) 687-1868
Hope for Wellness 24/7 Help Line
Available to all Indigenous peoples across Canada who are seeking immediate crisis intervention
Call: 1-855-242-3310
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
CHIMO Community Services
Their website: https://chimoservices.com/
Phone: +1 (604) 279-7077
About: CHIMO provides a variety of services, and aid people in crisis by providing safe housing, crisis counselling, and more!
The CHIMO team gave us a tour of their counselling offices and also talked to us in depth about their services. Stay tuned for the videos!
SHELTERS
We do not provide the addresses of these women's shelters in order to protect the safety of their staff and users. To learn more about each one, call them at the listed number or visit their website.
Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter
Their website: https://www.rapereliefshelter.bc.ca/
Call their 24-hour crisis line: (604) 872-8212
Vancouver, BC: Kate Booth House
Call: (604) 872-7774
Vancouver, BC: Powell House
Call: (604) 683-4933
Vancouver, BC: Bridge Shelter
Call their 24-hour Crisis Line: (604) 684-3542
Vancouver, BC: Helping Spirit Lodge
For Indigenous women and their children
Call: (604) 872-6649
Surrey, BC: Shimai Transition House
For women escaping violent relationships who use drugs or alcohol
Call: (604) 581-9100 or 1-877-581-9100
Surrey, BC: Ama House
For women aged 55 and above
Call: (604) 542-5992
LEGAL HELP
Government of BC: Victim Services & Violence Against Women Program Directory
View the directory here.
Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter
In addition to having a shelter, they also provide advocacy to the police for survivors, among other services: learn more.
Prabhpreet K. Sangha at Lehal Law
Prabhpreet K. Sangha is an attorney at Lehal Law in Surrey, BC, practicing immigration law and representing a lot of vulnerable immigrants. The firm accepts Legal Aid clients that can't afford a lawyer, including victims or survivors of employer abuse or family violence. Individuals that need legal guidance can reach Ms. Sangha at pksangha@lehallaw.com
The Justice Centre at Battered Women's Support Services (BWSS)
Access information about their legal resources here
POLICE REPORTING
Vancouver Police Department (VPD)
The VPD team gave us permission to share this informative resource to understand the process of reporting a crime (refer to their website for the most updated information):
Some key points mentioned on their website: What to expect when making a police report
When you first call police, a civilian call-taker will ask you for some basic information, and a police officer on patrol will be assigned to investigate.
An officer, usually in uniform, will meet with you in person and ask you basic details of what happened to you.
With your permission, the officer will call an ambulance to transport you to a hospital.
Depending on the nature of the sexual assault, you may be asked to have a sexual assault examination at the hospital, given by a trained doctor or nurse. The exam will help preserve DNA evidence that could assist with the investigation.
To preserve DNA evidence, the officers may ask you to provide the clothing that you were wearing at the time of the assault.
You will be asked to come to the police station to provide details of what happened, which will be recorded.
You will be provided with contact information for Victim Services, or the police officer can provide a referral to Victim Services on your behalf.
With your input, a plan to ensure your safety will be put in place, whether the suspect is known or not known to you.
Your report will be reviewed by a sergeant from the Sex Crimes Unit. Depending on a number of factors, a detective from that unit may be assigned to your file and will continue to investigate it.
You will be kept updated on the progress of the investigation. If you have a support worker, they can also contact the investigator for you.
COMMUNITY POLICING CENTRES
Chinese Community Policing Centre
Website: https://www.chinesecpc.com/
About: The Chinese CPC provides a variety of services, including community-based victim services, to people who have experienced crimes like domestic abuse or violence. Their team specializes in providing culturally-sensitive services to members of the Chinese and Chinese immigrant community in Vancouver.
We interviewed the Chinese CPC to learn more about their work. Stay tuned for the video!
Strathcona Community Policing Centre
Website: https://www.strathconacpc.ca/
About: "The Strathcona Community Policing Centre involves local citizens in partnership with the police, working together to create crime prevention and safety programs and foster community engagement right here in the neighbourhood."
We interviewed the Strathcona CPC to learn more about their work. Stay tuned for the video!
COPYWRITING SERVICES FOR SURVIVORS
itsharpo collaborations offers copywriting services for survivors hoping to craft various forms of writing material. Their service can support survivors with their victim impact statements or writing out their appeals. To learn more and get in touch, visit their website at www.itsharpo.com
Know a resource that should be listed on our database?
Send us an email at info@boltsafety.org