Ottawa & Ontario
If you are experiencing intimate partner violence, coercive control, stalking, threats, sexual violence or post-separation abuse, support is available.
You do not have to know exactly what service you need before reaching out.
Call 911 if violence is occurring now, there is a serious threat to safety, or urgent medical help is needed.
Choose what you need
You can seek community, healthcare, shelter or legal support without first contacting police.
Emotional support, practical assistance, advocacy and referrals after crime or traumatic circumstances. You can contact Victim Services without first calling 911.
Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Appointments required; no walk-ins. Email is not monitored 24/7.
Free, anonymous crisis support, safety planning, information and referrals.
#SAFE (#7233) on Bell, Rogers, Fido or Telus; TTY: 1-866-863-7868
Text and online chat support for women and members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities experiencing violence or abuse in Ottawa and Lanark County.
Current hours vary. Visit the official website for availability.
If you are unsure who to contact, 211 connects people to community, housing, legal, financial, health and social services in more than 150 languages.
Toll-free: 1-877-330-3213
Report intimate partner violence or speak with Ottawa Police by telephone when it is not an emergency.
Crisis intervention, safety and risk information, justice-system information, possible financial assistance and community referrals.
Information and services for victims of crime, including access to the Victim/Witness Assistance Program.
Toronto area: 416-314-2447
Crisis support and emergency shelter related to violence.
Support for women and children experiencing violence.
Support for self-identified women and gender-diverse people age 16+ and dependants.
French-language support for women and children affected by intimate-partner or family violence.
Alternate: 613-744-7789
Culturally grounded crisis support for First Nations, Inuit and Métis women and children fleeing violence.
Emergency housing navigation within the City of Ottawa.
Trauma-sensitive healthcare for people age 16+ after sexual or intimate-partner violence. Services may include injury care and documentation, evidence collection, STI testing, pregnancy-related care, crisis counselling, safety planning and referrals.
Civic Campus Emergency Department, 1053 Carling Avenue. Emergency access is 24/7. Some services are available with or without police involvement.
Crisis support for people affected by sexual violence.
Support for women and gender-diverse survivors of sexual violence.
Confidential legal assistance concerning family-law matters. Two hours of free advice with a certificate lawyer for domestic-violence survivors who need immediate advice, available through participating shelters and community legal clinics.
Ottawa Legal Aid office: 613-238-7931
Main line is generally available Monday–Friday, approximately 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Eligibility and hours may change.
Free legal services for women and gender-diverse people who have experienced violence and abuse, including legal advice and appointments with clinic lawyers.
Call to set up an appointment; you may have to leave a message. Toronto-based; call to confirm remote options.
Free, confidential support to help women subjected to intimate partner violence across Ontario navigate family law, including virtual services province-wide.
Step-by-step plain-language legal information on Ontario law, including courts, partner abuse, protective orders and family-law steps.
Domestic assault defence lawyers in Toronto who handle partner assault charges, bail hearings and no-contact orders — sometimes needed when a survivor has been charged herself.
Toll-free: 1-866-243-6161
Culturally grounded counselling, shelter, housing support, court support, safety planning and advocacy for First Nations, Inuit and Métis women and children.
24/7 Crisis / Oshki Kizis Shelter: 613-789-1141
Provincial French-language support for women affected by gender-based violence.
TTY: 1-866-860-7082
Ontario-wide information and referrals to community supports for male survivors.
You do not have to make every decision today. You can call simply to ask questions, understand your options, make a safety plan or learn what may happen next.
The B.R.A.V.E. Framework™
Build Safety • Recognize Control • Anchor Stability • Validate Experience • Empower Agency
Seeking information does not require someone to be ready to leave a relationship, make a police report, begin legal proceedings or make a particular decision. These resources can help you understand available options and make informed decisions about your safety and circumstances.
