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YWCA Crisis Line

Crisis Line 905-576-2997

or 1-888-576-2997

Y's WISH Emergency Shelter
If this is an emergency please call 911

 

If you're afraid, call us.  It is the first step.  And it can change your life forever.

 

Leaving an abusive situation is one of the toughest things you'll ever have to face.  How will you look after small children?  Where will you find affordable housing?  If you're new to Canada, how will you find support in an unfamiliar environment? We can help. 

 

Our 24-hour confidential Crisis Line is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Caring, knowledgeable staff provides information, support and advice for:

 

If you are being abused

If you want to talk about abuse in your family

If you are concerned about a friend, family member or co-worker

If you need information or referrals to community and social assistance programs

 

We can offer advice in Spanish, Italian, French, Greek, Russian and American Sign Language.

 

Our services include:
 

  • 15-bed shelter

  • Safety, security and support

  • Short-term crisis counselling

  • Safety planning for women and children

  • Access to community agencies including housing, social services, legal aid and more

  • In-house women’s groups

  • Supportive counselling for women and children, both individual and group settings

  • Information, referrals and advocacy

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is Abuse?

Abuse can take many forms including physical, emotional/psychological, sexual, financial and neglect.

 

The abuser attempts to intimidate and control the woman by using force or threats, often leaving the woman feeling devastated and alone.

 

Abuse can happen to any woman, at any time, regardless of her sexual orientation, age or culture.

 

Abuse affects women and children from all faiths, educational levels and socioeconomic backgrounds.

 

You are not alone.

Statistics Canada estimates that police-reported intimate partner violence represents only 30% of actual incidents. Studies have shown that 1 in 3 women have experienced violence before the age of 16.

 

How do I know if I am abused?

 

Does your partner:

• Criticize you?

• Call you names or put you down?

• Get excessively jealous?

• Control your finances?

• Prevent you from seeing family or friends?

• Prevent you from working outside the home or attending school?

• Hit, slap, push, punch, spit or harm you in any physical way?

• Threaten to hurt, kill or harm you, your children, family, friends or pets?

• Do you feel frightened of your partner?

 

If you answered YES to any of these questions, you may want to contact our Crisis Line at 905-576-2997 or 1-888-596-2997 for support.

 

What are the effects of abuse on children?

 

Children of abused women are affected in many ways by the violence in their lives.


They often:

  • Blame themselves for the violence

  • Have physical ailments such as stomachaches and headaches

  • Suffer from low self-esteem

  • Experience sleep disturbances

  • Become withdrawn or extremely passive

  • Act like mother’s little helper

  • Experience eating problems

  • Act out aggressively, exhibit bullying

  • Become self-destructive

 

How can I help my friend or family member?

 

Do:

  • Assure her you believe her

  • Listen and talk to her

  • Let her know you care

  • Help her create a safety plan

  • Reassure her she is not to blame for the abuse

  • Respect her confidentiality by not revealing her situation to others

 

 

Do Not:

  • Blame her if she returns to her partner

  • Tell her what to do

  • Tell her she should stay for the children

  • Offer to speak to her partner for her

  • Disrespect her confidentiality by revealing her situation to others

  • Do not judge
     

Abuse is NEVER okay. It is against the law.

 

 

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