Crisis Intervention

018 - ASSAULTED WOMEN'S HELPLINE
Crisis Line:1-866-863-0511

 P.O. Box 369, Station B, Toronto, ON M5T 2W2 TTY: 1-866-863-7868
  Administration: 1-888-3641210
  Fax: (416) 364-0563

Website: www.awhl.org
   
Office Hours: 24 hours a day, seven days a week
   
Area Served: Ontario 

The Assaulted Women's Helpline offers a 24 hour telephone and TTY crisis line seven days a week to all women who have experienced abuse. We provide crisis counselling, emotional support, safety planning, information and referrals. We recognize abuse as one example of women's social, political and economic inequality in the world. The Helpline is dedicated to working towards equality for all women. We are committed to helping and working with women who are isolated by language, cultural, physical or economic barriers. We can help you find groups or services in the language of your choice, including sign language. 

WHAT IS ABUSE? 

Abuse can take many forms - physical, emotional/psychological, sexual, financial or neglect. The goal of an abuser is to frighten and control you. If you feel unsafe and are experiencing any of these forms of abuse, you live with violence. 

Physical 
Pushing, shoving, hitting, beating, physical abuse with a weapon, torture. 

Emotional/Psychological 
Yelling, not letting you see your friends or family, insults, harassment, abusive language, deliberate deprivation of emotional care or isolation. 

Sexual 
Forced sex, sexual harassment, unwanted sexual touching, rape and incest. 

Financial 
Denying you access to money, preventing you from having a job, any activity that prevents you from gaining financial independence.

Neglect
Depriving you of your basic needs and human rights, withholding food or attendant care.

We also speak to friends and family members of abused women, service providers and other professionals in contact with abused women. Our service is anonymous and confidential. You do not have to give your name. Our toll free number won't show up on your phone bill. We do not have call display. Call our Helpline today if you or someone you know is being abused. You are not to blame, no matter what anybody says. Abuse is always the responsibility of the abuser. Children who witness abuse are affected by violence in the home. Violence hurts children even if they are not being the ones physically hurt. 

ADDITIONAL SERVICES 

  • Translation available in up to 154 languages.
     
  • Publications: If you would like to order copies of our pamphlets, client cards, etc. to spread awareness about the Assaulted Women's Helpline, please download and fax in the order form to the Training, Resource and Outreach team at (416) 364-0563.
     
  • Training seminars and workshops for the non-profit and private sectors.
     
  • Shelternet is an on-line national not-for-profit organization committed to working towards the prevention of violence against women and their children. Women may find a shelter anywhere in Canada at www.shelternet.ca.

Editor's Note: Additional helpful websites:  www.lfcc.on.ca    
                                                                             www.ontariowomensdirectorate.gov.on.ca
                                                                             www.equalityrules.ca

 

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