Crisis Intervention

A family sitting together

There are organizations across the city that provide counselling for newcomers who experience a crisis. They provide emotional support, safe spaces and tips on how to cope with stress. Additionally, there are specific supports available for newcomers who experience gender-based violence.

In an emergency where someone may be hurt (for example serious medical problems, fire, or to report crime in progress) call 911.

Programs

Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Program

Hamilton Regional Indian Centre
905-548-9593
 
34 Ottawa St N, Hamilton, ON L8H 3Y7, Canada

Focused on improving Indigenous health and the reduction of family violence through the provision of services for those most at risk, notably women and children. The delivery of programs and services are culturally appropriate and address the prevention, aftercare, and concurrent impacts of family violence on health.

Services can include:

  • healing circles
  • peer counselling
  • crisis intervention
  • education and training

Assaulted Women's Helpline

Assaulted Women’s Helpline
#7233 (Text on Bell, Rogers, Fido, or Telus mobile phone), 1-866-863-0511, 1-866-863-7868, 416-863-0511
 

Provincial telephone and online (chat) crisis counselling, emotional support, information and referrals to emergency shelters, legal information and community services, as well as culturally appropriate resources for abused women.

  • liaison with diverse communities
  • confidential and anonymous

Banyan Community Services, Partner Assault Response

Banyan Community Services
 
688 Queensdale Ave E, Hamilton, ON L8V 1M1

12 week group education and counselling program on intimate partner violence and non-abusive ways of resolving conflict. Topics include:

  • Domestic Violence Defining Abuse
  • How Beliefs and Attitudes Affect Behaviour
  • The Effects of Abuse on Children, Partners and Self
  • Understanding Triggers and Warning Signs
  • The Impact of Substance Abuse
  • Healthy Relationships
  • Respectful Communication
  • Dealing with Conflict
  • Responsibility and Accountability

Survivors/partners of the offender are provided with support, including safety planning, referrals to community resources, and information on offender’s progress.

Centre de Santé Communautaire Program Combating Violence Against Women and Sexual Assault

Centre de Santé Communautaire Hamilton/Niagara
1-866-437-7606, 1-877-336-2433 (Fem'aide), 905-528-0163
 
1320 Barton St E, Hamilton, ON L8H 2W1, Canada

Offers personalized, confidential support services to those directly and indirectly affected by domestic violence or related to sexual assault, regardless of their sexual identity or orientation, by providing a safe, confidential space. Services include:

  • Activities and support groups for women
  • Services for children exposed to violence
  • Support for survivors of sexual assault (women and men)
  • Services for families and loved ones of survivors of sexual assault
  • Anti-human trafficking program
  • Community awareness and prevention activities

COAST Hamilton Services

COAST Hamilton
905-972-8338
 

Emergency crisis line and response team to assist individuals who have serious mental health issues and who are in crisis. Also supports caregivers in the management of acute mental health concerns and crisis. Intake can be initiated by individuals directly or through their family members and caregivers. Referrals are accepted from community agencies and professionals.

Counselling and Community Services

Interval House of Hamilton
289-895-8580 (Flamborough), 905-522-0127 (Hamilton), info@intervalhousehamilton.org
 
100 Main St E, Hamilton, ON L8N 3W7, Canada
7 Innovation Dr, Dundas, ON L9H 7H9, Canada

Provides support for women and their children who are experiencing domestic violence and abuse including:

  • community counselling services
  • individual counselling
  • employment counselling
  • peer support
  • wellness and recovery groups

Crisis Line for Sexual Assault Centre Hamilton and Area

Sexual Assault Centre Hamilton and Area
905-525-4162, sacha@sacha.ca
 

24 hour crisis line offering confidential support for survivors of all genders who have experienced sexual violence as well has friends, family, and any others seeking information. Can organize accompaniment to the hospital or the police. All services are confidential and free of charge. 

Elder Abuse Prevention Training and Webinars

Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario
1-833-916-6728, admin@eapon.ca
 

Offers a variety of recorded training videos and educational resources to help prevent elder abuse in Ontario.

Materials cover the following forms of abuse:

  • financial abuse
  • emotional abuse
  • physical abuse
  • sexual abuse
  • neglect

Fem'aide

1-877-336-2433, info@femaide.ca
 

Francophone helpline for women

  • crisis intervention
  • support and referral to community agencies
  • confidential calls

Good Shepherd Centres, 24 Hour Women's Crisis Line Services

Good Shepherd Centres
905-523-6277
 
25 Ray St N, Hamilton, ON L8R 2X5, Canada

24 hour confidential crisis line offering support for individuals experiencing domestic violence. Offers emergency counselling, crisis intervention, safety planning, and referral to community services or other emergency shelters.

Good Shepherd Women's Emergency Services, Martha House

Good Shepherd Centres
905-523-6277, 905-523-8895, info@gsch.ca
 
25 Ray St N, Hamilton, ON L8R 2X5, Canada

A 40-bed emergency shelter for individuals and their children who are fleeing violence and abuse.

Programs and service:

  • Safe, short-term accommodation in private family-style units
  • Safety planning and emergency transportation to the shelter, if needed
  • Referrals and advocacy for legal, medical, financial, employment, housing and community services
  • Recreational and therapeutic programs for children
  • Counselling
  • Access to cultural interpreters

Good Shepherd Women's Emergency Services, Mary's Place

Good Shepherd Centres
905-523-6277, 905-540-8000, info@gsch.ca
 
20 Pearl St N, Hamilton, ON L8R 2Y8, Canada

A 20 bed emergency shelter, providing safety, support, and emergency accommodation to women who are dealing with homelessness, poverty, mental illness, and/or violence.

Programs and services: 

  • Emergency accommodation and safety planning
  • Referrals and advocacy for medical, legal, and other community services
  • Assistance in establishing permanent housing
  • Recreational and educational daily activities for residents and women living in the community

Hamilton Police Service, Seniors Safety Program

Hamilton Police Service
905-546-4925 (Senior Support Officer), info@hamiltonpolice.on.ca
 
155 King William St, Hamilton, ON L8R 1A7, Canada

Address issues, concerns, and challenges affecting seniors and disabled adults with respect to the law. This position is a community-based and community-driven initiative. 

Information and support is available to seniors, their families or service providers. Programs and presentations are researched, developed and presented on a variety of topics (such as quality of life issues, frauds and scams, personal/home safety, etc.). Reports of abuse (physical, financial, psychological, or neglect) are forwarded to the officers for assessment and further investigation if required. Cases identified as criminal offences are followed up. Major cases may be referred to the Crimes Against Seniors Unit for further investigation.

HARRC Incident Reporting Form

Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre
 
1 James St N, Hamilton, ON L8P 1A2, Canada

A contact form for people who have experienced or witnessed acts of racism or hate in Hamilton, who require support or referral services due to racism, or have questions about how to report a hate crime.

Honouring the Circle Transitional Housing

Native Women's Centre
1-888-308-6559, 289-527-2637
 

Offers transitional housing and support programs for up to 12 months for Indigneous women and their children who are at risk of homelessness, poverty, or abuse. Families are offered tools of empowerment, self-reliance, and economic independence in the hopes that they can find sustainable and safe permanent housing.

Hub (The) Youth Program

Hub (The)
 
21 Rebecca St, Hamilton, ON L8R 1B3, Canada

Empowers high-risk youth by interrupting cycles of violence, exploring interpersonal relationships, and providing wraparound supports. Services include:

  • 24/7 Violence Interruption, Prevention, and Crisis Support - credible messengers attend scenes of violence at all hours to help mitigate and resolve conflict with peaceful and restorative solutions
  • Justice System Support - supports youth involved in the criminal justice system with system navigation, custody support, and release planning
  • Youth Drop-In Program - provides youth with a space to gather for food, meaningful discussions, and connection
  • Case Management
  • Outreach

Inasmuch House Crisis Line Services

Mission Services of Hamilton
289-212-6399 (Text), 905-529-8600
 

Offers text message and web chat support for women experiencing abuse and homelessness. Provides confidential emotional support, practical advice, safety planning, and referrals to other local services.

Inasmuch House Women's Shelter Services

Mission Services of Hamilton
1-833-654-4217 (Toll-free), 289-212-6399 (Text), 905-529-8149, 905-529-8600
 

An emergency shelter for women and non-binary people, with or without children, who are experiencing domestic abuse and/or homelessness.

Services available for residents include:

  • safe shelter with access to meals, clothing, laundry, and other personal supports
  • child and youth workers
  • legal advocacy
  • transitional housing support worker
  • safety planning
  • referral to other community services

Interval House of Hamilton Crisis and Support Line

Interval House of Hamilton
905-387-8881
 
630 Sanatorium Rd, Hamilton, ON L9C 7S7, Canada

Provides anonymous and confidential crisis support, safety planning, information, and referrals for women that have experienced abuse or violence. 

John Howard Society Family Support Program

John Howard Society of Hamilton, Burlington & Area
289-260-6905, reception@jhshba.ca
 
654 Barton St E, Hamilton, ON L8L 3A2, Canada

The Family Support program provides support, information, early intervention, and referral to other services for parents with youth ages 12 to 17 who are experiencing parenting challenges or parent/child conflicts. This is a strength-based, family-centered service offered in individual and group formats. This program is delivered on- and off-site throughout Hamilton, Burlington, and area. 

Funded by the United Way of Halton & Hamilton.

John Howard Society Intimate Partner Violence Program

John Howard Society of Hamilton, Burlington & Area
365-323-1441, reception@jhshba.ca
 
654 Barton St E, Hamilton, ON L8L 3A2, Canada

An 8 session program developed utilizing restorative practice principles and the Duluth Model to assist individuals who have been involved in incidents of intimate partner violence. 

Sessions include:

  • Defining domestic violence and understanding anger
  • Understanding power and control, cycle of abuse, and intergenerational trauma
  • How beliefs and attitudes influence behaviour
  • The effect of abuse on children, partner, self, and family
  • Impacts of substance use/abuse
  • Building healthy relationships and respectful communication
  • Effective conflict resolution skills

Kizhaay Anishinaabe Niin (I Am a Kind Man) Program

Hamilton Regional Indian Centre
905-548-9593 ext. 237
 
34 Ottawa St N, Hamilton, ON L8H 3Y7, Canada

Provides an opportunity for communities to engage Indigenous men and youth in understanding violence against Indigenous women and support them in joining together to end the violence. Kizhaay Anishinaabe Niin workers provide one-on-one peer counselling and group activities to assist men who are committed to ending violence against Indigenous women in their personal lives and within their community.

Learning Effective Anti-Violence in Families

Good Shepherd Centres
905-523-8766 ext. 5227 (Mary's Place (Good Shepherd)), 905-529-8149 (Inasmuch House (Mission Services))
 
20 Pearl St N, Hamilton, ON L8R 2Y8, Canada

An early intervention program that provides group supports for children and youth who have witnessed violence, by offering opportunities to share their feelings regarding the abuse and violence they have witnessed in a creative and supportive environment.

The specifics of the course vary slightly by organization. Contact each location for specific details.

Psychiatric Emergency Service (PES), St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton

St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
905-522-1155 ext. 32197
 
50 Charlton Ave E, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada

Provides care by clinicians and psychiatrists who assess and treat patients with acute mental health problems who have presented to the emergency department. Works in partnership with other inpatient and outpatient mental health services to assist individuals in finding the right level of care.

SACHA Counselling and Support Groups

Sexual Assault Centre Hamilton and Area
905-525-4162 (24 Hour Support), 905-525-4573, 905-525-4592, sacha@sacha.ca
 
75 MacNab St S, Hamilton, ON L8P 3C1, Canada

Offers con­fi­den­tial trau­ma-informed support services for survivors of sexual violence, 16 years of age and older, who have experienced sexual violence at any point in their lives. Services include individual and group counselling.

 

SACHA Diverse Communities Outreach Program

Sexual Assault Centre Hamilton and Area
905-525-4573 ext. 230, 905-525-4592, sacha@sacha.ca
 
75 MacNab St S, Hamilton, ON L8P 3C1, Canada

Offers supportive programming for women from Hamilton's diverse racial and cultural communities, in particular women who are immigrant, newcomers, and refugees. Services include: individual support, women's support groups, information and referral, advocacy and accompaniment, and practical assistance such as childcare, bus tickets, and snacks. 

Senior Wellness Programs

Mishka Social Services
 
1545 Stone Church Rd E, Hamilton, ON L8W 3P8, Canada

Friendly Visiting - Regular in-home visits with trained staff and volunteers, with activities including conversation, playing cards, running errands, walking, and more.

Community Education - 6-week group program rotating computer literacy and elder abuse education classes. 

Sex-Trafficking Survivor Counselling

Sexual Assault Centre Hamilton and Area
905-525-4162 (24 Hour Support), 905-525-4573 ext. 224, 905-525-4592, sacha@sacha.ca
 
75 MacNab St S, Hamilton, ON L8P 3C1, Canada

Offers confidential support services for survivors of sexual violence, 16 years of age and older, who have left sex-traf­fick­ing at any point in their lives. Services include individual, group counselling and advocacy.

St. Matthew's House Housing Focused Street Outreach Team

St. Matthew's House
905-546-2424 ext. 2828, unsheltered@hamilton.ca
 
414 Barton St E, Hamilton, ON L8L 2Y3, Canada

Outreach workers connect clients experiencing chronic or episodic homelessness to immediate support, including shelter, food, and income support, and engage with those experiencing longer-term homelessness, providing assistance to rapid re-housing and housing first support. 

In partnership with the City of Hamilton Public Health Unit.

Trauma-Informed Care Program (Babaamendam)

Ontario Native Women's Association
1-800-667-0816, onwa@onwa.ca
 
412 Rennie St, Hamilton, ON L8H 3P5, Canada

Provides trauma-informed care, creating a safe space for Indigenous women and their families to help exit oppressive and violent situations. Services include navigating mental health, addiction, and clinical services.

  • Safety planning and plans of care
  • Supportive and traditional Indigenous counselling
  • Advocacy and referrals
  • Access to traditional ceremony and cultural teachings
  • Cultural supports and holistic services
  • Land-based therapy
  • Traditional healing
  • Connection to community resources
  • Education and awareness
  • Accompaniment as requested and needed

Victoria and Friends Women's Shelter

Interval House of Hamilton
905-387-8881
 
630 Sanatorium Rd, Hamilton, ON L9C 7S7, Canada

An emergency shelter for women, with or without children, who are experiencing family violence, abuse, and/or human trafficking. Offers emergency shelter, a safe environment, meals, and access to support workers.

Violence Against Women Counselling

Banyan Community Services
 
688 Queensdale Ave E, Hamilton, ON L8V 1M1

Offers support to women who have been exposed to abuse and violence, whether physical, sexual, emotional, or financial. Programs provide knowledge and understanding of abuse, safety planning, and access to community resources.

Wasa-Nabin Youth Program

Hamilton Regional Indian Centre
905-548-9593
 
34 Ottawa St N, Hamilton, ON L8H 3Y7, Canada

Program that assists the Urban Indigenous youth at risk in providing access to activities that will ensure choices to healthy lifestyles. Objectives include:

  • general social supports
  • youth in care
  • healthy eating and physical development
  • education
  • justice intervention
  • violence prevention

Willowbridge Community Services Counselling Services

Willowbridge Community Services
1-855-755-4173, 519-753-4173, hello@willowbridge.ca
 
54 Brant Ave, Brantford, ON N3T 3G8, Canada

Provides confidential counselling and psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and families to explore the strengths and resources they can use to overcome the challenges they are facing.

Services are available for:

  • Family and Children
  • Couples
  • Group Therapy
  • Individuals
  • 2SLGBTQIA+
  • Indigenous
  • Multicultural
  • Men's/Women's Specific

YWCA Hamilton Support for Gender-Based Violence

YWCA Hamilton
905-522-9922 ext. 112, adeschamps@ywcahamilton.org
 
75 MacNab St S, Hamilton, ON L8P 3C1, Canada

Services designed to help newcomer, immigrant, and refugee women address their unique needs through community resources and referrals, short term sessional counseling, and workshops.

Supports and services offered: 

  • One-on-one counseling
  • Specialized workshops
  • Needs assessment and referrals
  • Enhanced supports (child care access, transportation, translation services)