Resources
Ottawa Victim Services provides practical and emotional support to people affected by crime and tragedy, including referrals to other services. But we recognize that you may want to find information and other services by yourself, too. We’ve put together a collection of useful resources for you below.
You’ll find links to:
Organizations and services
like charities, financial support and legal help
Crisis lines
phone numbers you can call for help at any time, on any day
Learning resources
such as information, counselling and other supports
211 Ontario
211 is a helpline that easily connects people to the social services, programs and community supports they need.
Phone: 2112SLGBTQI+ Around the Rainbow, Family Services Ottawa
Education, counselling and support services to 2SLGBTQI+ families and individuals.
Assaulted Women’s Helpline
We can help you identify an abusive situation.
Phone: 1-866-863-0511Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic
The Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic offers legal, counselling and interpretation services to marginalized and racialized populations of women and gender diverse people who have survived violence.
Phone: 416-323-9149Canadian Benefit for Parents of Young Victims of Crime
A federal income support for parents or legal guardians taking time away from work to cope with the death or disappearance of their child.
Canadian Emergency Response Psychosocial Support Network
Mental health guidance & resources in times of crisis or disaster
Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline
You can reach out 24/7 — whether you’re being trafficked, you know someone who is, or you’re a trafficking survivor.
Phone: 1-833-900-1010Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime
A charity organization that offers support, research and education to victims of serious crime in Canada.
Canadian Victims Bill of Rights
An Act for the Recognition of Victims Rights
Centre d’Aide aux Victimes d’Actes Criminels, Gatineau
A non-profit Francophone organization that offers services directly to any crime victim or witness.
Centre d’Aide et de Lutte Contre les Agressions à Caractère Sexuel (CALACS) Francophone d’Ottawa-Carleton
Un organisme féministe qui offre une multitude de services aux femmes survivantes.
City of Ottawa
Local government services and information about things like public safety and social support.
Correctional Service of Canada
A government service that provides victims with the information they need to have an effective voice in the federal correctional system.
Distress Centre Ottawa
Feeling suicidal? Call 9-8-8
In distress? Call 613-238-3311This is a charitable organization that helps people in crisis by:
- Providing emotional and practical support
- Helping to prevent suicide
- Connecting them to other services and resources
Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre Programs Against Violence
Are you a woman experiencing violence from a partner?
Call (English): 613-745-4818
Call (French): 613-745-3665
Call toll-free: 1-877-336-2433A free, bilingual and confidential program that offers services to women and children in Ottawa and Renfrew County whose lives have been affected by gender-based violence.
Family Law Education for Women (FLEW)
FLEW provides family law education and outreach for women across Ontario, particularly isolated and vulnerable women.
Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime
An independent resource that helps victims in Canada learn more about their rights, find services, and make complaints about any federal agency or legislation dealing with victims of crime.
Fem’aide (Ontario – French-language support)
The Francophone helpline for women dealing with violence.
Phone: 1-877-336-2433Have You Been a Victim of Crime?
This handbook provides information about victims’ rights, where to get help, and the criminal justice system. It includes a glossary of terms and a summary of resources.
Home Safety Audit Guide
A guide to keeping your home secure and protecting it against burglars.
Hope for Wellness Help Line
Are you Indigenous and need immediate support?
Call toll-free: 1-855-242-3310This helpline is available to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. It offers:
- Phone counselling in Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut
- Immediate counselling and crisis intervention in English and French
- Support service via online chat
Identifying a Scam
Information about how to tell if something is a scam and how to keep yourself safe.
Immigrant Women Services Ottawa
Immigrant Women Services Ottawa is a community based agency serving immigrant and racialized women.
Phone: 613-729-3145Interval House of Ottawa
At Interval House of Ottawa, we provide wrap-around care to women and gender-diverse people who are fleeing domestic and gender-based violence.
Phone: 613-234-5181Kids Help Phone
Kids Help Phone’s e-mental health services are available 24/7 across Canada.
Phone: 1-800-668-6868
Text: CONNECT to 686868Know Your Rights as a Victim of Crime in Ontario
A summary of the Ontario Victims’ Bill of Rights, including what information you should have access to, how you should be treated and what you can ask for.
Lanark County Interval House & Community Support
Lanark County Interval House and Community Support offers emergency and on-going programs to women and children living in or escaping from domestic violence.
Phone: 613-257-5960 (crisis line)Legal Aid Ontario
Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) will provide you with the services best suited to your legal matter.
Phone: 1-800-668-8258LGBT Youthline
A youth-led organization that provides anonymous peer support, referrals and resources to 2SLGBTQ+ folks aged 29 and under.
Little Black Book of Scams
A guide to keeping yourself and your family safe from scams, identity theft and fraud.
Luke’s Place (Legal & Family Court Support)
Improving the safety & experience of women & their children as they proceed through the family law process after leaving a relationship in which they had been subjected to abuse.
Phone: 1-866-516-3116Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse Helpline
Support for male survivors of sexual abuse. Get 24/7 multilingual crisis and referral services for male survivors of sexual abuse, both recent and historical.Supports include counselling, peer support, and referrals to community support services to meet long-term needs.
Toll-free phone: 1-866-887-0015
Managing Distress
A brochure about grounding and mindfulness to help you cope after being affected by a mass violence incident, such as a shooting or terrorist attack.
Mental Health and Substance Use Resource List
African, Caribbean, Black (ACB) Mental Health and Substance Use Resource List
Mental Health Crisis Line
Are you experiencing severe anxiety, self-harming, or thinking of suicide?
Call (within Ottawa): 613-722-6914
Call toll-free (outside Ottawa): 1-866-996-0991This crisis line can help you access:
- Screening, assessment and referrals
- Support in a crisis and to prevent suicide
- Transfer to the Local Crisis Team or emergency services
Métis Nation of Ontario Mental Health & Addictions Crisis Line
Phone: 1-877-767-7572
Minwaashin Lodge
Support for First Nations, Inuit and Métis women and children who are affected by domestic violence and other forms of violence, including the effects of the residential school system.
Neighbourhood & Friends 2SLGBTQIA+ Resources
A leading source of intimate partner violence (IPV) prevention education in Ontario.
Ontario Board of Parole
An independent agency that makes decisions about paroles and temporary absences for people serving sentences at correctional facilities.
Ontario Network of Victim Service Providers
A non-profit organization that helps victims of crime, tragedy and disaster make plans to cope.
Ontario Victims’ Bill of Rights
As a victim of crime in Ontario, the Ontario Victims’ Bill of Rights says you should be treated with courtesy, compassion and respect for their personal dignity and privacy by justice system officials.
Ottawa Muslim Community Services (OMCS)
Email: info@omcs.ca
Telephone: 613-858-8782OMCS is a registered charity that offers mobile social services. They aims to build a stronger, healthier community and increase accessibility to religious and culturally appropriate services via mobile social services, education and collaboration.
Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre
Have you experienced sexual assault or gender-based violence?
Call: 613-562-2333A charity that provides crisis support, trauma counselling, education, referrals and advocacy.
Ottawa Victim Services brochure
Information about OVS programs and services.
Parole Board of Canada
An independent administrative tribunal that helps people who leave prison to live in society again and stay within the law.
Reporting a Scam
Information about who to contact if you spot a scam or become a victim of one.
Responding to stressful events
Advice from the Government of Canada on how to deal with natural or human-caused disasters such as earthquakes, health emergencies, terrorist attacks or war.
Rural Roots (Lanark, Leeds & Grenville)
Rural Roots: Seeing, naming and changing intimate partner violence in rural communities – support, resources and pamphlets
Sexual Assault Partner Abuse Care Program (SAPACP)
Have you experienced sexual or intimate partner violence?
Call: 613-798-5555 x 13770Specialized health services available on site at the Ottawa Hospital providing private and confidential trauma sensitive medical care to persons 16 years of age and older who have experienced sexual or intimate partner violence in the greater Ottawa region.
Sexual Assault Support Centre of Ottawa (SASC)
Are you a woman who has experienced sexual assault?
Call: 613-234-2266A feminist charity that provides support to women survivors, including crisis support, help with healing, referrals and information.
ShelterSafe
ShelterSafe is an online resource for women and their children seeking safety from violence and abuse.
Sibling Sexual Behaviour & Abuse (SSB/A) Webinar Resource Package
Sibling sexual behaviour & abuse (SSB/A) is the most common yet often overlooked form of child sexual abuse. This webinar series was designed for professionals working with those impacted by SSB/A including social workers, counsellors, psychotherapists, psychologists, victim services staff, sexual assault support workers, gender-based violence teams, and anti-violence workers; as well as parents/caregivers, members of the community, adult survivors, families, and those who have caused harm.
Suicide Crisis Helpline (Canada)
A safe space to talk, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Call or text 988Talk4Healing (Ontario)
Talk4Healing Helpline offers help, support, and resources 24/7 through talk, text, and chat.
Phone: 1-855-554-4325The Homicide Support Group
A support group for people who knew a victim of homicide, run by the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime. The group meets online on the last Thursday of every month.
Trans Lifeline
A grassroots hotline offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis. Run by and for trans people.
Tungasuvvingat Inuit
Inuit-specific social support, counselling and crisis intervention for women aged 16+ and their children.
Unsafe at Home Ottawa
Unsafe at Home Ottawa is a secure text and online chat service for women and members of 2SLGBTQ+ communities in Ottawa and Lanark County who may be living through increased violence and abuse at home
Victim Fraud Toolkit
A guide to dealing with identity theft and fraud, such as when someone uses your personal information to access your bank account or get a credit card in your name.
Victim Services Ontario
A government service that supports victims of crime through direct services and funding.
Victim Support Unit, Ottawa Police Services
Helps victims of crime and tragedy with crisis support and referrals to community resources. OVS partners with them through our OVS-VSU program.
Victim Witness Assistance Program
A court-based program that helps victims and witnesses of crime understand and participate in the criminal court process.
Voicefound
A charitable organization that provides emotional and practical support to victims of human trafficking, child sexual abuse, and sexual exploitation.
Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health
Rooted in culture and serving Indigenous people of every background and stage of life, Wabano is more than a health centre. Whatever your path, we are here for you.
Phone: 613-748-0657You belong Here
Pinecrest Queensway Community Health Centre & Refugee613 have created the You Belong Here, series of three multilingual infographics to help newcomers identify, address and report acts of hate in our community.
You May Know Someone
This booklet offers tips and information to help you support a victim of crime.
Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa (YSB)
Are you in crisis and aged 17 or under?
Call: 613-260-2360A charity that’s committed to providing a safe, non-judgmental and accessible environment for youth in Ottawa.
