If You Need Help Now
If something feels off, you don't have to figure it out alone.
These resources are available to you right now confidentially, without judgment.
Emergency Services
for
Immediate physical danger
Dial 911
Assaulted Women's Helpline
24/7 · 154 languages · TTY available
1-866-863-0511
Fem'aide (French)
Francophone women · 24/7
1-877-336-2433
Kids Help PhoneYouth
support · 24/7 · Text HELLO to 686868
1-800-668-6868
Find Help by Province or Territory
Every province and territory in Canada has local resources. This Government of Canada directory covers all regions in one place.
Understanding Abuse
Awareness is the first step. These resources help explain what abuse can look like including forms that aren't always visible.
General Domestic & Intimate Partner Violence
Department of Justice Canada — Get Help with Family Violence Safety planning, legal information, and resources for those experiencing family violence. Includes supports for offenders seeking change. justice.gc.ca
Alberta Council of Women's Shelters — Types of Domestic Violence A clear breakdown of physical, emotional, financial, sexual, and cultural forms of abuse — written for the public. acws.ca
Coercive Control
Department of Justice — Coercive Control Research Paper
An in-depth Canadian examination of what coercive control is, how it operates, and its relationship to legislation.
canada.ca — Office of Federal Ombudsperson
Sagesse — What Is Coercive Control
Plain language definitions, pattern recognition, and resources for those experiencing coercive and controlling behaviour.
sagesse.org
Financial & Economical Abuse
Women and Gender Equality Canada — Economic Abuse
Definitions, statistics, and links to financial recovery and support resources across Canada.
canada.ca — WAGE
Canadian Centre for Women's Empowerment (CCFWE)
Home of the STEAR tool — practical support for rebuilding financial safety after economic abuse.
ccfwe.org
Elder Abuse
Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (CNPEA)
Resources, research, and legal advocacy for older adults experiencing abuse — including financial, emotional, and physical harm.
cnpea.ca
Indigenous Woman & Communities
Hope for Wellness Helpline
24/7 mental health counselling and crisis intervention for Indigenous peoples across Canada. Available online and by phone.
hopeforwellness.ca · 1-855-242-3310
MMIWG Support Line
Support for families and survivors connected to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
1-844-413-6649
2SLGBTQ+ Communities
Canada.ca — Family Violence Resources
Includes 2SLGBTQ+-specific listings within the provincial and territorial directory. Abuse affects all relationship types.
canada.ca — Stop Family Violence
For Friends, Family & Bystandadrs
If you're worried about someone you care about, these resources can help you understand what to say — and what to do. You don't need to have all the answers to show up.
Neighbours, Friends & Families
A Canadian resource specifically designed for people who suspect someone they care about may be in an abusive relationship. Offers practical guidance on how to approach conversations, what signs to look for, and how to support someone safely.
1-855-225-0220 · neighboursfriendsandfamilies.ca