Searching for Victims Of Abuse Support Programs

Services include:

• information and assistance to support participation in the criminal court process
• wervices begin once police have laid charges and continue until the court case is over
• case-specific information (court dates, bail conditions)
• court preparation
• needs assessment
• emotional support
• crisis intervention
• referrals to community agencies

Vulnerable Victims and Family Fund -- financial and court-based supports to enable victims of crime and families of homicide victims to attend court

• travel arrangements and expenses
• language interpretation
• real-time captioning or other equipment for victims with disabilities

Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+) - program of last resort where no other available private or public resource is available
​
Victim Crisis Assistance Ontario - On-site early intervention and crisis intervention​

• needs assessment
• safety planning
• referrals to community services
• enhanced support for vulnerable victims
• assistance with applications to VQRP+

Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+) -- assistance with emergency expenses related to the eligible incident, may include home safety, accommodation, meals, transportation, basic necessities, dependent care costs, counselling, traditional Indigenous health services, cellular phones, vision care, dental care, aids for victims with disabilities, interpretation services, crime scene cleanup, government/medical documents and funeral expenses

• Additional assistance for victims of human trafficking includes storage locker, tattoo removal and treatment at a recovery facility
• No direct reimbursements are made to victims for the supports listed above
  
• Financial support is also available for victims who sustained serious physical injuries during a crime and for parents of homicide victims and spouses of homicide victims

Project Lifesaver: provides wrist transmitters to individuals who may wander due to cognitive impairment. Suitable for individuals living with Alzheimer's disease, autism, Down syndrome, acquired brain injury (VSW partners with Wellington County OPP and Guelph Police Service).

Spira Fire Victim Relief Fund: financial aid for those experiencing material loss due to a residential fire and are uninsured.

Intake, assessment, referral, wait list registration and appointment booking for mental health, addictions, and crisis services. Service provided through the phone line and drop-in sites.

Service categories include:

• information, assessment and referral
• crisis assessment
• support coordination
• peer / self help
• short-term crisis support beds
• court support and diversion
• community counselling and treatment
• support within housing
• day / evening treatment
• residential treatment
• Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT)
• eating disorders
• early psychosis treatment and support services

Consultation and assistance to consider options:

• access to help for vulnerable older adults and their families, especially those who have experienced or are at risk of abuse
• referral to community resources and informal seniors groups when appropriate
• temporary safe bed available through selected retirement homes with regard to elder abuse
• consultation for health professionals through the response network is available

Counselling is offered in person/phone or by video for most programs. Staff continue to be in contact with developmental service clients. Walk-in mental health clinics (Mon in Mount Forest - call for appointment, Tue in Harriston - call for appointment, Wed in Guelph - in-person walk in, and Thu in Fergus - in-person walk in. For appointments, call 519-824-2431.

Distress Line is available 7 days a week, 8 am-10 pm: 519-821-3760 or 1-888-821-3760

Individual, couple, and family counselling:

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): confidential counselling and referral services for employees and their families
• Service coordination / case management services for people with a developmental disability and autism spectrum disorder across the age continuum
• Access Information and Referral - AIR- intake for children's developmental services for Guelph and Wellington County

Support Groups

Children:

• Breaking Free - children who have witnessed family violence
• Child and Youth Sexual Assault Team (CYSAT) - children who have been sexually abused, and youth at risk for sexually offending
• High Conflict Communication - separating or divorcing families to foster good communication with children and develop a parenting plan

Men and Women:

• Partner Assault Response Program - for people who perpetrate violence
• men's and women's groups - people surviving childhood sexual abuse
• trauma counselling and support groups
• women who have experienced domestic violence
• member agency of Support Services Network for Male Survivors in Ontario

Consultation and Training:
Employers and community groups with respect to interpersonal work-related issues, stress, parenting, problem solving, conflict management and other areas where personal issues impact work and family life. (EAP)

**Satellite offices in Mount Forest, Fergus and Harriston

Free and confidential service designed for anyone in the Guelph-Wellington community who is experiencing any form of distress.

Trained volunteers provide emotional support, goal and safety planning, and assistance to callers in connecting with other community resources. Volunteers provide confidential, solution-focused response and assessment of crisis with intervention when required.

• support for people who are experiencing distress about their circumstances
• referral to community services
• training provided for volunteers on listening and communication skills, solution-focused conversation, and assessing high risk situations

ALL CALLS ARE CONFIDENTIAL in accordance with provincial legislation.

Distress Line

• 519-821-3760 ext. 1
• Supports mild to moderate levels of distress through active listening.

TeleConnect

• 519-821-3760 ext. 2
• Outbound call service designed to support community members of Guelph-Wellington who are struggling with independent living.

LGBTQ+ Support Line

• 519-669-3760
• Supports members of the LGBTQ+ Community by providing a safe space to chat and connect with resources. Texting is also an option.

Toll free phone service provides general information on range of legal aid services ; legal, financial eligibility criteria ; legal aid application information.

Other services include:

• duty counsel (legal aid lawyer in an Ontario courthouse) - criminal, refugee and immigration, family or youth courts, mental health
• summary legal advice for family law (criminal matters referred to local services)
• certificate program for complex cases
• poverty law, civil services - delivered through community legal aid clinics
• referrals to other social assistance agencies

Duty counsel assistance for qualified applicants is available at the Guelph courthouses when court is scheduled:

• Criminal Duty Counsel - 36 Wyndham St S (Ontario Court of Justice Criminal Division)
• Family Duty Counsel - 74 Woolwich St (Ontario Court of Justice, Family and Superior Court of Justice, County of Wellington Courthouse)

• Programs include victim and survivor support services
• Tributes and memorials
• Public awareness campaigns
• Project Red Ribbon
• Campaign 9-1-1
• Youth engagement
• Fundraising
• Public policy initiatives

Note: Volunteers welcome

Safe steps is a 6- week foundational program for mothers where there has been domestic violence in the home. The focus of the program is to provide a good understanding on the impact of violence on children and youth and, learn strategies and tips to support children impacted by the violence. The 6 -week program consists of learning about stages of child development and brain development of children, exploration of children and youth experience of domestic violence, feelings and emotion regulation, boundaries, sexual abuse prevention, safety plans and safety planning with children and, self-esteem and resilience- building tools. Child- focussed activities are discussed with the mothers to support them with engaging their children in the journey of healing from the violence experienced in the home.

Program is offered virtually to mothers only, once a week for 1.5 hours over a period of 6- weeks. A letter of participation and certificate is provided to mothers who complete the program.

Please email [email protected] for more information or to register for the program.

Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+) - program of last resort where no other available private or public resource is available
​
Victim Crisis Assistance Ontario - On-site early intervention and crisis intervention​

• needs assessment
• safety planning
• referrals to community services
• enhanced support for vulnerable victims
• assistance with applications to VQRP+

Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+) -- assistance with emergency expenses related to the eligible incident, may include home safety, accommodation, meals, transportation, basic necessities, dependent care costs, counselling, traditional Indigenous health services, cellular phones, vision care, dental care, aids for victims with disabilities, interpretation services, crime scene cleanup, government/medical documents and funeral expenses

• Additional assistance for victims of human trafficking includes storage locker, tattoo removal and treatment at a recovery facility
• No direct reimbursements are made to victims for the supports listed above
  
• Financial support is also available for victims who sustained serious physical injuries during a crime and for parents of homicide victims and spouses of homicide victims

SADVTC is 24/7 on call team of forensic nurses and social workers who respond to the needs of individuals who have experienced sexual assault, domestic violence and human trafficking. Emergency and short-term follow up care is also offered to those accessing the team.

Individual and group counselling

Provides services and support to people and their families who have experienced sexual violence

• Offers individual counselling to all genders (16 years of age and older) in both Kitchener and Cambridge
• 24 Hour Support Line and support groups, advocacy, referrals, and accompaniments for women to the hospital, police, and courthouse

Family Court Support Worker Program -

• Information on the family court process
• Assistance in preparing for family court proceedings (documenting history of abuse, accessing Legal Aid)
• Referral to specialized services and supports in the community
• Safety planning
• Court accompaniment to proceedings when appropriate

Anti-Human Trafficking Program - Wrap-around services to those experiencing sexual exploitation and those who are at risk within Waterloo Region.

• Counselling
• Advocacy
• Crisis support
• Safety planning
• Related accompaniments
• Practical assistance
• Support through legal processes
• Support with obtaining housing
• Connections to community supports
• Public education and outreach

Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+) - program of last resort where no other available private or public resource is available
​
Victim Crisis Assistance Ontario - On-site early intervention and crisis intervention​

• needs assessment
• safety planning
• referrals to community services
• enhanced support for vulnerable victims
• assistance with applications to VQRP+

Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+) -- assistance with emergency expenses related to the eligible incident, may include home safety, accommodation, meals, transportation, basic necessities, dependent care costs, counselling, traditional Indigenous health services, cellular phones, vision care, dental care, aids for victims with disabilities, interpretation services, crime scene cleanup, government/medical documents and funeral expenses

• Additional assistance for victims of human trafficking includes storage locker, tattoo removal and treatment at a recovery facility
• No direct reimbursements are made to victims for the supports listed above
  
• Financial support is also available for victims who sustained serious physical injuries during a crime and for parents of homicide victims and spouses of homicide victims

Information and assistance to support participation in the criminal court process * services begin once police have laid charges and continue until the court case is over
Case-specific information (court dates, bail conditions)
Court preparation
Needs assessment
Emotional support
Crisis intervention
Referrals to community agencies

Vulnerable Victims and Family Fund -- financial and court-based supports to enable victims of crime and families of homicide victims to attend court * travel arrangements and expenses * language interpretation * real-time captioning or other equipment for victims with disabilities

Provides free legal services in the following areas:

• Criminal legal issues
• Family legal issues
• Refugee and immigration legal issues
• Domestic violence
• Mental health legal issues

Information and assistance to support participation in the criminal court process * services begin once police have laid charges and continue until the court case is over
Case-specific information (court dates, bail conditions)
Court preparation
Needs assessment
Emotional support
Crisis intervention
Referrals to community agencies

Vulnerable Victims and Family Fund -- financial and court-based supports to enable victims of crime and families of homicide victims to attend court * travel arrangements and expenses * language interpretation * real-time captioning or other equipment for victims with disabilities

Provides caring and compassionate support and advocacy for children and youth who are victims or witnesses of crime and their families - enabling and empowering them to use their voice, tell their story, help them be heard, and support them so that they can heal and develop into strong community members.

• Working collaboratively with partners in the community to establish a Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC) in Waterloo region - a seamless, child focused and best practice model for investigating report of child abuse and providing wraparound support to these young victims, witnesses and their families so they fell heard, helped and begin to heal from the trauma.
  
• Provide proactive education and awareness about the challenges experienced, and support available, as well as strategies to help reduce the risk of kids becoming victims.
  

Revive provides supportive services to people of all genders who are impacted by sexual harm. This includes:

• support groups for male-identified survivors of sexual trauma
  
• educational and support groups for people who have offended sexually
  
• support groups for the partners of people who have sexually offended

Facilitated Dialogues are available to support anyone 18+ in preparing to have a conversation with another party about their experiences of sexual harm. Revive will meet with and support all parties choosing to have a dialogue to identify their needs, goals and readiness for this type of engagement.

Member agency of Support Services Network for Male Survivors in Ontario

A collaborative partnership between the Waterloo Regional Police Service and the Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network, Home and Community Support.

• Senior Support Team's mission is to prevent and respond to elder abuse by working in partnership with the community and by providing an opportunity for change and healing to people affected by elder abuse, thereby enhancing the safety and well being of older adults
  
• Senior Support Team's mandate includes providing information and consultation, direct intervention, investigating matters of a criminal nature, education and training and community development
  

The Family Violence Project of Waterloo Region is a collaborative of agencies that provides wrap-around, seamless services to victims of domestic violence - all from a single location

The Family Violence Project offers services such as:

• police trained to deal with family violence
• personal counselling for adults and children
• assistance with developing safety plans
• shelters
• crisis/medical support for sexual assault
• financial counselling
• children's services
• support groups
• outreach services to the community
• legal services
• specialized elder abuse services
• rural outreach services and specialized programs
  - all under one roof.

Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+) - program of last resort where no other available private or public resource is available
​
Victim Crisis Assistance Ontario - On-site early intervention and crisis intervention​

• needs assessment
• safety planning
• referrals to community services
• enhanced support for vulnerable victims
• assistance with applications to VQRP+

Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+) -- assistance with emergency expenses related to the eligible incident, may include home safety, accommodation, meals, transportation, basic necessities, dependent care costs, counselling, traditional Indigenous health services, cellular phones, vision care, dental care, aids for victims with disabilities, interpretation services, crime scene cleanup, government/medical documents and funeral expenses

• Additional assistance for victims of human trafficking includes storage locker, tattoo removal and treatment at a recovery facility
• No direct reimbursements are made to victims for the supports listed above
  
• Financial support is also available for victims who sustained serious physical injuries during a crime and for parents of homicide victims and spouses of homicide victims

SADVTC is 24/7 on call team of forensic nurses and social workers who respond to the needs of individuals who have experienced sexual assault, domestic violence and human trafficking. Emergency and short-term follow up care is also offered to those accessing the team.

Provides Information and assistance to support participation in and understanding of the criminal court process

• services begin once police have laid charges and continue until the court case is over
• information about victims' rights, the criminal justice process and their specific case (e.g., court dates)
• needs assessment and referrals to community agencies
• crisis intervention, emotional support, victim advocacy
• facilitates victim's input and liaises with Crown Attorneys, police, regarding bail, safety, resolution of charges, release conditions, publication bans, testimonial aids, trial preparation and court orientation
  
• information and support on Victim Impact Statements, Statement on Restitution
• facilitates access to court orders, such as bail conditions, probation orders, peace bonds
• debriefing and follow-up support

Vulnerable Victims and Family Fund -- financial and court-based supports to enable victims of crime and families of homicide victims to attend court

• travel arrangements and expenses
• language interpretation
• real-time captioning or other equipment for victims with disabilities