Get help now

If you or someone you know is experiencing gender-based violence, support is available – whether it’s someone to talk to or help getting out of an unsafe situation.

• Call a crisis hotline
• Find a shelter
• Take a risk assessment
• Call a helpline
• Find mental health supports

If you are in an emergency situation, call 911 (in Canada), for emergency services in your area. If you are outside the 911 service area, please access the available emergency services in your area.

Provincial and territorial crisis hotlines

Contact a crisis hotline in your province or territory for immediate support and resources for people experiencing gender-based violence.  

Shelters

Contact your local shelter if you’re in crisis or to learn more about the services they offer.

• Sheltersafe.ca is an online resource for women across Canada seeking safety from violence and abuse. Use the interactive map to find the nearest shelter.

Risk assessment and planning

Do a risk assessment and create a safety plan.

• How to plan for your safety if you are in an abusive relationship
• iHEAL is a free, private and secure app that helps Canadian women who have experienced abuse from a current or past partner to conduct a risk assessment of their situation, integrate the appropriate safety planning and access a personalized list of crisis services in their area.

Helplines

Human trafficking hotline

The Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline connects victims and survivors with social services, law enforcement, and emergency services. They also receive tips from the public.

Call: 1-833-900-1010 (toll free, 24/7, multilingual)

Online chat (24/7)

Indigenous peoples helpline

Hope for Wellness is a helpline for Indigenous people across Canada who need immediate emotional support, crisis intervention or referrals to community-based services. The experienced and culturally sensitive counsellors offer a safe space to talk in English, French, Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut.

Call: 1-855-242-3310 (toll-free, 24/7, multilingual)

Online chat (24/7, multilingual)

Suicide helpline

Suicide Crisis Helpline (988.ca) is a 24/7 safe space to talk to a trained responder that will listen without judgement, provide support and understanding, and share helpful resources.

Call or text: 988 (toll-free, 24/7, multilingual)

Trans hotline

Trans Lifeline Hotline provides peer support and resources for trans and gender-diverse people.

Call: 1-877-330-6366

Youth and young adult helpline

Kids Help Phone is a 24/7 helpline available to anyone in Canada aged 5 to 29 who wants confidential and anonymous care from trained responders.

Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free)

Text: CONNECT to 686868

(If you identify as Indigenous, text “FIRST NATIONS”, “INUIT” or “METIS” to 686868  to ask to be connected with a First Nations, Inuit or Métis crisis responder)

Online chat

Mental health support

Consult Health Canada’s Mental health support page for a list of helplines, resources and programs for adults, youth, families, Indigenous people, and veterans. 

Related links

• Additional support services for those affected by gender-based violence
• Find family violence resources and services in your area