Community Resources

As we are not equipped to take disclosures or provide support services to those impacted by sexual violence, we have compiled a non-exhaustive list of resources across so-called “Canada”. For more information please visit our Terms of Service.

We encourage you to refer to Ending Violence Association of BC’s comprehensive list of resources available via their Services Directory which allows you to search for services based on your postal code.

Vancouver Island

Victoria Sexual Assault Centre (VSAC)

The Victoria Sexual Assault Centre (VSAC) is a feminist organization committed to ending sexualized violence through healing, education, and prevention. They are dedicated to supporting women and all Trans survivors of sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse, through advocacy, counselling, and empowerment. At any point, you can call VSAC’s access line (250-383-3232) to find out what is available to you.

Sexual Assault Response Team (SART)

Information courtesy of the VSAC website: If you have been sexually assaulted within the last 7 days, you have access to the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART). The SART team is available to anyone (all genders) 13 years old and over. The SART team is available 24/7 and can identify and explain your options, as well as provide you with support, medical care, information and referrals. The SART is comprised of a support worker from the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre, a specially trained Forensic Nurse Examiner (FNE) and, if you choose, the police. The SART team can meet you at the Victoria Sexual Assault Clinic, Victoria General Hospital or a police station.

There are 3 ways to access this team, either:

  • Call the Vancouver Island Crisis Line:  1-888-494-3888  (to connect with the SART team who can connect you with the Victoria Sexual Assault Clinic); 
  • Go to the Victoria General Hospital (VGH) emergency room department; or
  • Go to your local police stations in the greater Victoria Area.

Vancouver Island Crisis Line

Vancouver Island Crisis Line 1-888-494-3888 available 24/7 (general crisis support, suicide prevention, access to SART, access to Integrated Mobile Crisis Response Team (Emergency Mental Health))

Men’s Therapy Centre

Men’s Therapy Centre (formerly Men’s Trauma Centre) 1-866-793-6367

The Men’s Therapy Centre provides support and/or counselling services to any man*: cis, gay, bi-sexual, trans, non-binary, 2spirit, queer, gender fluid+, who has experienced emotional, physical or sexual trauma in childhood or as an adult.

BC Wide

Women Against Violence Against Women (WAVAW) Rape Crisis Centre

WAVAW is BC’s largest rape crisis centre, operating on unceded Coast Salish Territories. They offer trauma-informed feminist support to survivors of sexualized violence. WAVAW services are open to cis and trans women and people of all marginalized genders, including Two-Spirit, trans, and non-binary people.

WAVAW provides immediate emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year through their 24-Hour Crisis Line. Through this line you can get information about WAVAW services or referrals to other community programs and organizations.

You can also text WAVAW at (604)-245-2425. The text and online chat service (WAVAW Connect) is available Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.

British Columbia Society for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse (BCSMSSA)

The BCSMSSA is a non-profit society established to provide therapeutic services for males who have been sexually abused at some time in their lives. BCSMSSA provides treatment and support services to male survivors of sexual abuse and supports significant-others and relatives of the survivors. Check out their website for more information on what services they provide.

VictimLink

VictimLinkBC is a toll-free, confidential, multilingual service available across B.C. and the Yukon 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be accessed by calling or texting 1-800-563-0808 or sending an email to [email protected].

It provides information and referral services to all victims of crime and immediate crisis support to victims of family and sexual violence, including victims of human trafficking exploited for labour or sexual services.

Victim Services & Violence Against Women Program Directory

The Victim Services & Violence Against Women Program Directory provides contact information for service providers across British Columbia that assist victims of crime and women and children impacted by violence. Access the directory by clicking here.

Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS)

BWSS provides educationadvocacy, and support services to assist all women in its aim to work towards the elimination of violence and to work from a feminist perspective that promotes equality for all women

Call BWSS Crisis Line (available 24/7) at 1-604-687-1867 or toll-free at 1-855-687-1868. Their crisis line provides emotional support to women experiencing gender-based domestic violence.

Canada Wide

Victim Services Directory

The Victim Services Directory (VSD) has been created by the Policy Centre for Victim Issues of the Department of Justice Canada to help service providers, victims and individuals locate services for victims of crime across Canada. Access the VSD by clicking here.

A one-page PDF is available for download with community resources specific to the Vancouver Island area: