Domestic Violence Resources
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Resources for Women Experiencing Abuse
This post is a living, breathing, resource. If you find any information on this page to be incorrect or out of service, or if you have any valuable resources to add, please email courtneynaray@gmail.com
If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, you do not have to figure everything out alone.
You don’t have to wait until its “bad enough”.
You can ask questions just because something doesn't feel right.
I’ve put together this collection of organizations, hotlines, legal resources, books, and podcasts because sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing where to begin.
You don’t need to read/listen/watch everything. You don’t need to make a decision today.
Start wherever feels useful.
If you are in immediate danger, call your local emergency number:
Canada: 911
United States: 911
United Kingdom: 999
Australia: 000
New Zealand: 111
🚨 HELP & CRISIS SUPPORT
CANADA:
Assaulted Women’s Helpline – Ontario
24/7 crisis line, counselling, safety planning, information and referrals
📞 1-866-863-0511
📱 #SAFE (#7233) from Bell, Rogers, Fido or Telus mobile phones
TTY: 1-866-863-7868
🌐 awhl.org
ShelterSafe – Canada
Find a women’s shelter or transition house anywhere in Canada
211 Canada
Connect with local community, housing, social and crisis services
📞 211
🌐 211.ca
Talk4Healing – Indigenous Women
Culturally grounded support for Indigenous women
📞 1-888-200-9997
Fem’Aide – French-language support in Ontario
📞 1-877-336-2433
TTY: 1-866-860-7082
Halton Women's Place - Support for Women in Halton
🌐 https://haltonwomensplace.com/
Indigenous Support 🇨🇦
Hope for Wellness Help Line
For First Nations, Inuit and Métis people across Canada. 24/7 emotional support, crisis intervention and referrals to community-based services. Support is available in English and French, and by request in Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut.
💬 Online chat: hopeforwellness.ca
Talk4Healing – Indigenous Women in Ontario
24/7 culturally appropriate support for Indigenous women in Ontario.
📞 Thunder Bay: 807-346-4357
💬 Online chat: Talk4Healing
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Crisis Line
24/7 crisis support for individuals impacted by MMIWG and 2SLGBTQQIA+ issues.
UNITED STATES:
National Domestic Violence Hotline
📞 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
📱 Text START to 88788
💬 Online chat available
UNITED KINGDOM:
National Domestic Abuse Helpline – Refuge
📞 0808 2000 247
Available 24/7
💬 Online chat available
🌐 Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline
Women’s Aid
AUSTRALIA:
1800RESPECT
National domestic, family and sexual violence support
📞 1800 737 732
📱 Text 0458 737 732
💬 Online chat and video call
NEW ZEALAND:
Women’s Refuge
📞 0800 733 843
24/7 crisis support
Shine
📞 0508 744 633
24/7 confidential support
🌐 Shine
Are You OK
📞 0800 456 450
24/7 family violence helpline
🌎 INTERNATIONAL
NO MORE Global Directory
Search for domestic and sexual violence services by country or region.
⸻
⚖️ LEGAL RESOURCES (Ontario)
Legal Aid Ontario – Domestic Violence
📞 1-800-668-8258
GTA: 416-979-1446
Luke’s Place
Legal information and support for women experiencing abuse, particularly in the context of family law.
Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic
Legal, counselling and interpretation services for women experiencing violence.
Law Society of Ontario – Lawyer Referral Service
Coercive Control - Department of Justice Canada
⸻
📱 TECHNOLOGY & DIGITAL SAFETY
Tech Safety Canada
Resources for technology-facilitated abuse, stalking, monitoring, privacy and digital safety.
Tech Safety & Privacy Toolkit
🌐 Technology Safety and Privacy Toolkit
Tech Safety Planning Toolkit
🌐 Tech Safety Planning Toolkit
⸻
📚🎧🎥Understand What’s Happening
The books and podcasts that help you put language to the experience.
📚READ
Why Does He Do That?
Lundy Bancroft
The Verbally Abusive Relationship
Patricia Evans
It's Not You
Ramani Durvasula, PHD
The Body Keeps the Score
Bessel van der Kolk
What My Bones Know
Stephanie Foo
Traumatic Cognitive Dissonance
Peter Salerno, PsyD
Healing From Hidden Abuse
Shannon Thomas, LCSW
Trauma Bonding
Lauren Kozlowski
Dinner for Vampires
Bethany Joy Lenz
⸻
🎧 LISTEN
Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse
Kerry McAvoy, PHD
Navigating Narcissism
Ramani Durvasula, PHD.
Why She Stayed
Grace Stuart
You Are Not Crazy
Jessica Knight