Additional Resources
Get Help Now
IF YOU’RE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER CALL 911
Domestic Violence Crisis Support 24/7
Gillian’s Place (North & West Niagara)
Call/Text 905-684-8331
Birchway Niagara (South Niagara)
Call/Text – 905-356-5800
Femmes victimes de violence
1-877-336-2433 Fem’aide
Niagara Sexual Assault Centre
905-682-4584
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
General Resources About Domestic Violence
- Domestic Violence is a Crime
- Domestic Violence Links and Contact Information for Other Community Agencies
- Safety Concerns Brochure
- Niagara Women Abuse Screening Project- Asking Woman about Abuse, Addictions and Mental Health: A Guide for Professionals to Respond to Disclosures
Navigating the System Project
In 2025, CEVAW in partnership with Community Potential, published the report Navigating the System: A Gender-Based Violence Perspective, a report that this report explores how survivors of gender-based violence navigate support services across Niagara. Drawing on a three-year project, it identifies barriers to accessing services and opportunities to strengthen referrals, coordination, and survivor-centered responses across the region.
The project also produced three practical resources to help survivors, service providers, and community members navigate Niagara’s gender-based violence support system. Together, these tools aim to improve referral accuracy, reduce barriers to accessing support, and strengthen coordination across services.
| Resource | About |
|---|---|
| Navigating the System: A Gender-Based Violence Perspective – Final Report for the CEVAW Referral Pathways Mapping Project 2025 | The final report from CEVAW’s three-year project examining referral pathways, service coordination, and systemic barriers within Niagara’s gender-based violence support system. Includes findings, service mapping, and recommendations to improve referral accuracy, strengthen cross-sector collaboration, and support more accessible, survivor-centred services. |
Community Partner Decision-Support Tool English – ACCESS HERE French – ACCESS HERE | A visual guide to help service providers and community partners respond safely to disclosures of gender-based violence, assess immediate needs, and identify appropriate referral pathways. |
Where to Get Help Brochure English – ACCESS HERE French – coming soon! | An accessible resource for survivors and those supporting them, offering practical safety planning information, crisis contacts, and guidance on accessing services in Niagara. |
| Community Organization Reference List ACCESS HERE (will download automatically) | A downloadable directory of Niagara organizations and services to help community partners identify relevant supports and make informed, appropriate referrals. |
| Niagara Knowledge Exchange Blog Post: Strengthening Niagara’s Gender-Based Violence Response Through Collaboration and System Mapping | A community article highlighting key findings from CEVAW’s three-year Navigating the System project, including gaps in service navigation, barriers to accessing support, and opportunities to strengthen collaboration, referral pathways, and survivor-centered responses across Niagara. |
National Clearinghouse on Family Violence
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ncfv-cnivf/index-eng.php
Ministry of Community & Social Services
www.mcss.gov.on.ca
Niagara Regional Police Domestic Violence Resources
http://www.niagarapolice.ca/en/whatwedo/domesticviolence.asp
The DVU also investigates all incidents of physical abuse of our seniors, commonly referred to as Elder Abuse. This may consist of abuse or neglect of a senior who is residing in a care facility or their own residence and may be perpetrated by a family member, caregiver or other person.
Members of the DVU are highly trained in the area of Domestic Violence Investigations, Interviewing, Major Case Management, ODARA – Ontario Domestic Violence Assault Risk Assessment, and Search Warrants. For further information on the DVU you can contact the Supervisor at (905) 688-4111 Ext. 5611.
Victim Services Niagara
905-688-4111 ext.5084
http://victimservicesniagara.on.ca/
Ask about additional supports such as:
S/P – Safety Planning – personal safety plan is developed by client and staff/volunteer
S/L – SupportLink – a cell-phone pre-programmed to dial 911
MTERS – Mobile Tracking Emergency Response System – (former DVERS program) a personal alarm system
Application process for S/L and MTERS to meet specific criteria outlined by Victim Services Niagara
Victim Witness Assistance Program (VWAP) –
St. Catharines – 905 685-2671
Welland – 905 735-4326
http://victimservicesniagara.on.ca/
Senior Safety Line
1-866-299-1011
http://www.onpea.org/
Other language supports (not available 24/7)
Interpreters Niagara-Hamilton
905-682-1900 Ext 218
http://www.informationniagara.com/interpreters-niagarahamilton/
Canadian Women’s Foundation
http://www.canadianwomen.org/facts-about-violence
The Recovery Village Columbus, Substance Abuse and Domestic Violence: A Volatile Mix
https://www.columbusrecoverycenter.com/treatment-programs/substance-abuse-and-domestic-violence/
More Information & Community Resources
| Agency | Phone Numbers | Web Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Clearinghouse on Family Violence Operated by the Public Health Agency of Canada | https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/stop-family-violence.html | |
| Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services | https://www.ontario.ca/page/ministry-children-community-and-social-services | |
Niagara Regional Police Domestic Violence Resources The Domestic Violence Unit (DVU) also investigates all incidents of Elder Abuse (abuse of older adults Elder Abuse. Members of the DVU are highly trained in the area of Domestic Violence Investigations, Interviewing, Major Case Management, Ontario Domestic Violence Assault Risk Assessment (ODARA), and Search Warrants. | For further information on the DVU you can contact the Police Non-Emergency line at (905) 688-4111. | https://www.niagarapolice.ca/what-we-do/special-victims-unit/domestic-violence/ |
Victim Services Niagara Programs include:
Some programs require applicants to meet specific criteria to be approved. Click here for more information, or call Victim Services Niagara directly. | 905-688-4111 ext.5084 | http://victimservicesniagara.on.ca/ |
| Victim Witness Assistance Program (VWAP) | St. Catharines – 905 685-2671 | https://www.ontario.ca/page/victimwitness-assistance-program |
| Senior Safety Line | 1-866-299-1011 | http://www.onpea.org/ |
| The Recovery Village Columbus | Substance Abuse and Domestic Violence: A Volatile Mix | |
| “Facts About Gender-Based Violence” – Canadian Women’s Foundation | http://www.canadianwomen.org/facts-about-violence |
National Clearinghouse on Family Violence
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ncfv-cnivf/index-eng.php
Ministry of Community & Social Services
www.mcss.gov.on.ca
Niagara Regional Police Domestic Violence Resources
http://www.niagarapolice.ca/en/whatwedo/domesticviolence.asp
The DVU also investigates all incidents of physical abuse of our seniors, commonly referred to as Elder Abuse. This may consist of abuse or neglect of a senior who is residing in a care facility or their own residence and may be perpetrated by a family member, caregiver or other person.
Members of the DVU are highly trained in the area of Domestic Violence Investigations, Interviewing, Major Case Management, ODARA – Ontario Domestic Violence Assault Risk Assessment, and Search Warrants. For further information on the DVU you can contact the Supervisor at (905) 688-4111 Ext. 5611.
Victim Services Niagara
905-688-4111 ext.5084
http://victimservicesniagara.on.ca/
Ask about additional supports such as:
S/P – Safety Planning – personal safety plan is developed by client and staff/volunteer
S/L – SupportLink – a cell-phone pre-programmed to dial 911
MTERS – Mobile Tracking Emergency Response System – (former DVERS program) a personal alarm system
Application process for S/L and MTERS to meet specific criteria outlined by Victim Services Niagara
Victim Witness Assistance Program (VWAP) –
St. Catharines – 905 685-2671
Welland – 905 735-4326
http://victimservicesniagara.on.ca/
Senior Safety Line
1-866-299-1011
http://www.onpea.org/
Other language supports (not available 24/7)
Interpreters Niagara-Hamilton
905-682-1900 Ext 218
http://www.informationniagara.com/interpreters-niagarahamilton/
Canadian Women’s Foundation
http://www.canadianwomen.org/facts-about-violence
The Recovery Village Columbus, Substance Abuse and Domestic Violence: A Volatile Mix
https://www.columbusrecoverycenter.com/treatment-programs/substance-abuse-and-domestic-violence/