in-house safe shelter services
Women’s House is a safe, secure and supportive environment with room to accommodate up to 13 women and children. It is a place where all women and children in need will be helped using a harm reduction approach. It is also available for women who find themselves in a housing crisis. It is a co-operative setting where all women participate in household chores and meal preparations. Women’s House is accessible to women with disabilities, infants and children. Women’s House offers counselling for in-house clients and 24 hour support lines. During their stay at Women’s House, women and children have the opportunity to access counselling regarding their abuse. Both individual and group counselling is available, free of charge. As well as counselling, women receive help in accessing the services of a variety of community agencies, including legal aid, housing, social assistance, other counselling services, medical help and other services as required. Women’s House is a pet friendly shelter.
Community Counselling
Women’s House offers individual counselling to women in the communities of Kincardine, Lucknow, Port Elgin, Southampton, Hanover, Wiarton, Owen Sound, Walkerton, Markdale and Durham. These services are available free of charge. These counselling services are for women 16 years and over who are experiencing abuse or healing from abuse.
‘Our Community Counselling services also include support groups which provide a safe environment for women to meet and talk to heal from abuse. Some examples of past support groups are “Changing Relationship Patterns” and “Self Esteem”. In addition, from time to time there are a number of workshops offered to deal with specific issues. Child-care and transportation may be available for your counselling appointments if done in advance.
24 Hour Information and Support Telephone Lines
Calls to Women’s House are always answered by a trained, supportive counsellor 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Callers do not have to give their names, and we do not subscribe to call display. Confidentiality is of utmost importance. This service is Women’s House most used service, receiving between 1500 to 2000 calls per year. Counselling by phone and appropriate referrals are given to callers in an effort to help women in crisis obtain the best possible service from whatever their location. Our local support line number is 1-519-396-9655. Our toll free support line number is 1-800-265-3026 and can be accessed anywhere in the 519 area code.
Transitional Support Program
The aim of this program is to assist women in developing a transition plan towards a non-violent, non-abusive life in the community. This includes developing a safety plan and seeking out available support systems. Our Transitional Support Worker will assist women in developing a Transition Plan which may include referrals to other agencies in the community. The Transitional Support Worker will also assist a woman by acting as an advocate on her behalf in seeking assistance and tapping resources within the community in the areas of housing, education, job training, income support, legal aid and legal representation, Children’s Aid advocacy, transportation and child care.
Second Stage Housing program
This program includes housing projects in Saugeen Shores, Wiarton and Kincardine. Participation in the program provides time and assistance to abuse survivors who want to establish safety and stability for themselves and their children, free from their abuser.
There are 1, 2, and 3 bedroom units which are available up to one year. Residents commit to working with Women’s House staff to explore options, make connections with local community service providers and agencies, strengthen coping strategies and establish effective support systems that will allow them to live abuse-free lives.
Call 519 396 9814 ext. 235 to connect with our Second Stage Counsellor.
Child Witness Program
Facilitated by partnerships among Women’s House Serving Bruce & Grey, Women’s Centre in Owen Sound, Bruce Grey Children’s Centre and The Children’s Aid Society, the Child Witness Program offers services to children and mothers who have experienced woman abuse. The program offers individual counselling for children between the ages of 4 and 16 in addition to group counselling. The program offers children a chance to heal from the experience of witnessing woman abuse and meet other children who have also experienced family violence. The Child Witness Program gives mothers the chance to be supported as they help their children heal.
Sexual Assault Counselling
To access this service, please call our toll free line at 1-866-578-5566.
Support is available 24/7 to women 16 and over for information, advice or just a caring voice. Recovering from sexual assault might be the bravest thing you ever do. When you’re ready, we’re here to help. We also provide:
Resources for friends and family of survivors.
Confidential support if you have been sexually assaulted recently or in the past.
One to one counselling with a sexual assault counsellor.
Support & accompaniment (when requested, we can go with you to the police, court, or hospital).
Information and referrals to other services.
Access to survivor support groups.
Information about: sexual assault, incest and child sexual abuse; legal, medical, police and court procedures
Public Education
We facilitate public education initiatives to provide awareness and understanding of Gender Based Violence. We utilize an intersectional feminist, anti-oppression and anti-racist lens to educate about harm reduction approaches, human trafficking, violence against women, consent, and much more. For more information, or to book a public education presentation, please call 519-372-1113 ext. 226.
Family Court Support
Our staff offer information about family law procedures and processes, assistance in recording the history of abuse for court documentation, safety planning related to court attendances and more. This may manifest in debriefing of lawyers appointments, court outcomes, Family Law Information Centre meetings, and consultations with duty counsel. We also support women by accompanying them to family court proceedings, sharing information and support in accessing Legal Aid and other community supports and services.
Note: This program does not offer legal advice or replace advice from a lawyer.
Youth Sexual Assault and Anti-Human Trafficking Program
The Youth Sexual Assault/Human Trafficking Counsellor works collaboratively alongside young women and girls throughout Bruce/Grey County who have experienced, or been exposed to, sexual violence or human trafficking. This is facilitated in a non-judgmental and supportive environment, based on a holistic approach addressing the unique and specific needs of each woman, with a goal of empowerment and healing.
Therapeutic support and psycho-education is provided to explore the impacts of violence, trauma, and to enhance strategies for coping from person-centered, harm-reduction, strength-based framework.
For more information about Youth Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking supports, or to make a referral, please email yc@whsbg.on.ca
Business Line 519.396.9814
Support Line 519.396.9655
Toll Free 1.800.265.3026
24hr Sexual Assault Services 1.866.578.5566