Ottawa. City Operations

The Victim Support Unit (VSU) provides crisis intervention and referrals to victims/survivors of crime and persons involved in tragic circumstances. In a partnership with Police Officers, Crisis Counsellors provide service to victims/survivors through the provision of crisis intervention, risk and needs assessment, and referral to appropriate community resources.

• For victims/survivors of crime and tragic circumstances (including homicides, suicides, intimate partner violence, sexual assaults, sudden deaths)

  • Crisis Counsellors are responsible for :

    • Early intervention and crisis intervention

    • Assessing needs, providing information on available services and the criminal justice process

    • Assessing needs and providing information on available services and the criminal justice process

    • Offering information on risk and safety needs

    • Assisting in developing an individual safety plan

    • Providing information on potential financial assistance

    • Connecting with community-based programs for long-term and comprehensive support

    • Offering insight on the impacts of trauma and coping strategies

    • Enhanced support for vulnerable victims

The unit works in partnership with Ottawa Victim Services (OVS), a community-based non-profit organization that delivers on-scene response and follow-up services to victims/survivors of crime.

• Abuse / Assault - Child Abuse Services
• Abuse / Assault - Counselling for Abused People
• Abuse / Assault - Crisis Lines for Abused People
• Abuse / Assault - Sexual Assault Support
• Abuse / Assault - Shelter for Abused Women
• Abuse / Assault - Victims of Abuse Support Programs
• Emergency / Crisis - Crisis lines
• Emergency / Crisis - In-Person Crisis Services
• Emergency / Crisis - Victims of Crime Support Programs