Support Resources
Helpful resources, hotlines, and guides for your journey
In Crisis? Get Immediate Help
Emergency Services
Call your local emergency number
Crisis Text Line (US)
Free, 24/7 crisis support via text
International Assoc. for Suicide Prevention
Find a crisis centre in your country
Country-Specific Hotlines
ON
1-866-863-0511 | TTY: 1-866-863-7868 | Text AWHL to 741741
Global
Emergency: 911 (US/Canada) | 999 (UK) | 000 (Australia) | 112 (EU) | 111 (NZ)
USA
1-800-799-7233 | Text START to 88788
United Kingdom
0808 2000 247
Australia
1800 737 732
Canada
1-866-863-0511
New Zealand
0800 044 334
South Africa
0861 322 322
India
9152987821
France
3919
National Domestic Violence Hotline
24/7 confidential support for anyone experiencing domestic violence, seeking resources or information, or questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship.
Contact
1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) | TTY: 1-800-787-3224 | Text START to 88788
Crisis Services Canada
Connects people in distress with local crisis centres across Canada. Provides immediate support for mental health crises.
Contact
1-833-456-4566 (24/7) | Text 45645 (4pm-midnight ET)
Legal Aid Ontario
Free legal services for low-income Ontarians, including family law, immigration, criminal, and refugee matters.
Contact
1-800-668-8258
Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
Tax-free monthly payment to eligible families to help with the cost of raising children under 18. Apply through CRA.
Contact
1-800-387-1193
Assaulted Women's Helpline
Provides crisis counselling, safety planning, emotional support, and referrals to women in Ontario who have experienced any form of abuse.
Contact
1-866-863-0511 | TTY: 1-866-863-7868 | Text AWHL to 741741
How to Navigate a CPS Investigation — Know Your Rights
A practical guide to understanding your rights when CPS (Child Protective Services) becomes involved with your family. Written in plain language for mothers.
Ontario Works — Financial Assistance for Families
Provides money for basic needs like food and housing to people in financial need while they look for work.
Contact
Contact your local Ontario Works office
International Domestic Violence Hotline Directory
Global directory of domestic violence hotlines and crisis resources. If you are in immediate danger, call your local emergency number (911, 999, 000, 112, etc.).
Contact
Emergency: 911 (US/Canada) | 999 (UK) | 000 (Australia) | 112 (EU) | 111 (NZ)
National Domestic Violence Hotline (USA)
Free, confidential support 24/7 for anyone affected by domestic violence. Call, text, or chat online.
Contact
1-800-799-7233 | Text START to 88788
National Sexual Assault Hotline (USA)
Free, confidential support for sexual assault survivors 24/7. Call or chat online with a trained staff member.
Contact
1-800-656-4673
National Domestic Abuse Helpline (UK)
Free, 24-hour helpline for women experiencing domestic violence, their family, friends, and colleagues.
Contact
0808 2000 247
1800RESPECT (Australia)
Australia's national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line. Free, confidential, 24/7.
Contact
1800 737 732
Assaulted Women's Helpline (Canada)
24-hour crisis line for women who have experienced abuse. Available in multiple languages across Canada.
Contact
1-866-863-0511
Safeline – National Helpline (New Zealand)
New Zealand's national sexual harm helpline providing confidential support for survivors of sexual abuse.
Contact
0800 044 334
Stop Domestic Violence – Lifeline (South Africa)
Crisis support for domestic violence survivors in South Africa. Confidential and free.
Contact
0861 322 322
iCall – Mental Health Helpline (India)
Psychosocial helpline providing counselling support, referrals, and crisis intervention across India.
Contact
9152987821
Femmes Support (France / Europe)
French national hotline for women who are victims of violence. Free, confidential, 24/7. Also serves French speakers across Europe.
Contact
3919
Intimate Partner Violence Resources – Crisis Lines & Helplines
A comprehensive guide to crisis lines for people experiencing abuse, including the Assaulted Women's Helpline (1-866-863-0511), Fem'aide for French speakers (1-866-860-7082), Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868), LGBT Youth Line (1-800-268-9688), Ontario Male Survivors Line (1-866-877-0015), Senior Safety Line (1-866-299-1011), and Toronto Rape Crisis Centre.
Contact
Assaulted Women's Helpline: 1-866-863-0511 | Fem'aide: 1-866-860-7082 | Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 | LGBT Youth Line: 1-800-268-9688 | Ontario Male Survivors: 1-866-877-0015 | Senior Safety Line: 1-866-299-1011
Women's Emergency Shelters – Toronto
Emergency shelters in Toronto for women experiencing abuse: Ernestine's Women's Shelter (416-746-3701), Interval House (416-924-1491), Nellie's (416-461-1084), North York Women's Shelter (416-635-9630), The Redwood (416-533-8538), Women's Habitat of Etobicoke (416-252-5829), YWCA Women's Shelters (416-693-7342), and more. Find a shelter near you at sheltersafe.ca.
Contact
Ernestine's: 416-746-3701 | Interval House: 416-924-1491 | Nellie's: 416-461-1084 | North York Women's Shelter: 416-635-9630 | The Redwood: 416-533-8538 | Women's Habitat: 416-252-5829 | YWCA: 416-693-7342
Women's Emergency Shelters – Greater Toronto Area
Emergency shelters across the Greater Toronto Area including Peel, Durham, York, Halton, and surrounding regions. Includes Herizon House (1-866-437-4066), Halton Women's Place (905-878-8555), Interim Place Mississauga (905-403-0864), Sandgate Women's Shelter York Region (1-800-661-8294), and more.
Contact
Herizon House: 1-866-437-4066 | Halton Women's Place: 905-878-8555 | Interim Place: 905-403-0864 | Sandgate York Region: 1-800-661-8294 | Denise House Oshawa: 1-800-263-3725 | Bethesda House: 1-800-338-3397
Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Care Centres – Toronto & GTA
24-hour care for women, men, and trans people who have experienced sexual assault or domestic violence. Includes Women's College Hospital (416-323-6040), Scarborough and Rouge Hospital (416-495-2555), Mackenzie Health York Region (905-832-1406), Lakeridge Health Oshawa (905-576-8711), and Chantel's Place Peel Region (905-848-7580).
Contact
Women's College Hospital: 416-323-6040 | Scarborough & Rouge Hospital: 416-495-2555 | Mackenzie Health: 905-832-1406 | Lakeridge Oshawa: 905-576-8711 | Chantel's Place: 905-848-7580
Support Services for Abuse Survivors – Toronto
Counselling, legal support, and community services for survivors of abuse. Includes Barbra Schlifer Clinic (416-323-9149) offering legal representation and counselling, Victim Services Program of Toronto (416-808-7066) for crisis intervention, YWCA Toronto (416-961-8100), Scarborough Women's Centre (416-439-7111), North York Women's Centre, and Family Service Toronto's Violence Against Women Program.
Contact
Barbra Schlifer Clinic: 416-323-9149 | Victim Services Toronto: 416-808-7066 | YWCA Toronto: 416-961-8100 | Scarborough Women's Centre: 416-439-7111 | Riverdale Immigrant Women's Centre: 416-465-6021
Indigenous-Specific Abuse Support Services – Toronto
Culturally specific support services for Indigenous women and families experiencing violence. Includes Anduhyaun Inc (emergency shelter and second stage housing), Native Child and Family Services Toronto (416-969-8510), Native Women's Resource Centre (416-963-9963), Anishnaabe Kwewag Gamig Regional Women's Shelter (905-352-3708), and 2-Spirited People of the First Nations (416-944-9300).
Contact
Native Child & Family Services: 416-969-8510 | Native Women's Resource Centre: 416-963-9963 | Anishnaabe Shelter: 905-352-3708 | 2-Spirited People: 416-944-9300
National Domestic Violence Hotline (USA)
24/7 support for victims of domestic violence and abuse
Contact
1-800-799-7233 TTY: 1-800-787-3224 Text: START to 88788
Canadian Assaulted Women's Helpline
24/7 crisis support for women in Canada experiencing abuse
Contact
1-866-863-0511 TTY: 1-866-863-7868
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (USA)
Free, confidential support for people in distress, 24/7
Contact
Call or Text: 988 Chat: 988lifeline.org
Canada Suicide Prevention Service
Free 24/7 support for anyone in Canada thinking about suicide
Contact
Call: 1-833-456-4566 Text: 45645 Francophone: 1-866-277-3553
Crisis Text Line (USA/Canada)
Free 24/7 text-based crisis support
Contact
USA: Text HOME to 741741 Canada: Text HOME to 686868
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline (USA)
Free, confidential 24/7 support for sexual assault survivors
Contact
1-800-656-4673 (HOPE) Online chat at online.rainn.org
International Association for Suicide Prevention
Global directory of crisis centres worldwide
Contact
Visit website for country-specific helplines
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline (USA)
24/7 support for child abuse victims and concerned adults
Contact
1-800-422-4453
Kids Help Phone (Canada)
24/7 support for young people in Canada
Contact
Call: 1-800-668-6868 Text: 686868
SAMHSA National Helpline (USA)
Free treatment referral and information service for substance abuse
Contact
1-800-662-4357 (HELP)
National Center on Domestic Violence (USA)
Legal assistance and resources for domestic violence survivors
Contact
1-800-799-7233
Legal Aid Ontario
Free legal assistance for eligible Ontario residents
Contact
1-800-668-8258
National Alliance on Mental Illness (USA)
Mental health support, education, and advocacy
Contact
1-800-950-6264 Text: NAMI to 741741
Canadian Mental Health Association
Mental health services and support across Canada
Contact
Visit website for local branch contact
Women's Shelters Canada
Directory of women's shelters across Canada
Contact
Visit website for shelter directory
National Housing Resource Center (USA)
Housing assistance and resources for those experiencing homelessness
Contact
1-800-ASK-USDA
National Human Trafficking Hotline (USA)
24/7 support for trafficking victims and concerned citizens
Contact
1-888-373-7888 Text: HELP or INFO to 233733
Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline
24/7 support for trafficking victims in Canada
Contact
1-833-900-1010
Postpartum Support International
Support for pregnancy and postpartum mental health
Contact
1-800-944-4773 Text: 503-894-9453
StrongHearts Native Helpline (USA)
Domestic violence helpline for Native Americans
Contact
1-844-762-8483
Family Rights Group (USA)
Support for families navigating child welfare system investigations and removals
Contact
Helpline: 1-800-457-7077 Monday-Friday 9am-5pm ET
Parent Representation Hotline (USA)
Legal assistance for parents in child welfare cases
Contact
Check website for state-specific hotlines
Justice for Children and Youth (Canada)
Free legal services for children and families in Ontario dealing with CAS
Contact
416-920-1633 info@jfcy.org
National Coalition for Child Protection Reform (USA)
Resources and advocacy for families wrongly accused or navigating CPS
Contact
703-212-2006
Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth (Ontario)
Independent voice for children and youth in care or receiving services
Contact
1-800-263-2841 advocacy@provincialadvocate.on.ca
National Center for Youth Law (USA)
Legal advocacy for children and families in child welfare system
Contact
510-835-8098
Parents Anonymous
Peer support groups for parents under stress or facing CPS involvement
Contact
1-520-260-0899 Find local groups on website
Rise Magazine
Magazine by and for parents affected by child welfare system
Contact
info@risemagazine.org
Canadian Association of Social Workers
Information about social work practices and family rights in Canada
Contact
613-729-6668
Child Welfare Information Gateway (USA)
Federal resource on child welfare, including parent rights and support services
Contact
1-800-394-3366 info@childwelfare.gov
SAMHSA's National Helpline
Treatment referral and information service for mental health and substance abuse
Contact
1-800-662-4357 (HELP) Available 24/7 in English and Spanish
Benefits.gov
Find government benefits you may qualify for
HUD Housing Counseling
Free housing counseling and resources for finding affordable housing
Contact
1-800-569-4287
Medicaid and CHIP
Free or low-cost health coverage for eligible women and children
CareerOneStop
Find local job centers, training programs, career assessments, and job search tools. Sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor
Women's Law - Legal Information
Comprehensive legal information for women experiencing abuse, including restraining orders, divorce, child custody, and immigration issues
Childcare.gov
Search for licensed childcare providers, learn about financial assistance programs, and access child care resources by state
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Mental health education, support groups, and resources
Contact
NAMI Helpline: 1-800-950-6264 (M-F, 10am-10pm ET) Text 'NAMI' to 741741
211 - Community Resources Helpline
Connect with local services for housing, food, utilities, and more
Contact
Dial 2-1-1 Or text your ZIP code to 898211
Adult Education Finder
Locate free adult education programs in your area. Services include GED preparation, high school equivalency, English language learning, and basic skills training
National Domestic Violence Hotline
24/7 confidential support for victims and survivors of domestic violence
Contact
1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) Text START to 88788
Creating a Safety Plan
Step-by-step guide to create a personalized safety plan for leaving an abusive situation
Understanding Your Credit Report
Guide to checking and rebuilding your credit after financial abuse
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Free and confidential emotional support 24/7
Contact
988 Call or text anytime
National Human Trafficking Hotline
24/7 confidential support for trafficking victims and survivors
Contact
1-888-373-7888 Text 233733