Plan for your safety:

If you are thinking of leaving an abusive relationship, this can be a difficult time. There is a greater risk of violence when an intimate relationship is ending. You can get support and plan for your and your children’s safety.

  • 911
    Dial 911 if you are concerned about your immediate safety.
  • Assaulted Women’s Helpline
    1 866 863 0511 or TTY 1 866 863 7868 or (Toronto) 416- 863-0511
    This service offers a 24-hour crisis line for abused women in Ontario. It is anonymous and confidential and the toll-free number won’t show up on your phone bill. Services can be provided in up to 154 languages.
  • Neighbours Friends and Families
    Information on how to support a neighbour, friend or family member who is being abused.
  • Kanawayhitowin
    Information that deals with woman abuse in Aboriginal communities across Ontario. This website has been created to support women experiencing abuse, families, communities and front line workers to better educate themselves with resources and strategies. To engage and unite communities around the seriousness of this issue, and hope for the healing of future generations.
  • WHO@ (Working to Halt Online Abuse)
    For information and links to resources on cyberstalking, including safety tips.
  • Za-geh-do-win
    Information about health, family violence and healing for Aboriginal communities in Ontario. On the pull down menus, select “Spousal Abuse”, “Sexual Assault” and “Family Healing” for publications and videos related to violence against women.

Find a women’s shelter:

Find resources and support in relation to sexual assault:

Get legal information and support:

  • Findhelp
    1-800- 836-3238
    TTY: 1 888 340 1001
    A community agency that gives information in many languages. They take calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Community Legal Education Ontario / Éducation juridique communautaire Ontario (CLEO)
    CLEO provides a directory of legal resources, information, and referral services for service providers and families who need information about family law and courts in Ontario. Topics include family law services at Ontario courts, family violence resources and resources for children, youth, and parents. CLEO also produces a legal rights handbook, “Do you know a woman who is being abused?” and provides plain language legal information on many topics.
  • Your Legal Rights
    Provides legal information for community workers and advocates who work with low-income and disadvantaged communities. CLEONet has resources, news, events, and webinars produced by community organizations and legal clinics across Ontario.
  • Community Legal Clinics
    Find a community legal clinic near you.
  • Lawyer Referral Service
    1-800-268-8326 or 416-947-3330 (within the GTA)
    By calling one of these numbers you will get the name and number of a lawyer who will provide a free half hour consultation. Please note that they will only provide one referral per legal issue.
  • Legal Aid Ontario (LAO)
    LAO runs a “Family Violence Authorization Program” for people who are experiencing violence and need urgent legal assistance. If your partner has abused or bullied you, you can get a legal aid certificate for two hours of free legal advice. You will have to go to a community legal clinic or women’s shelter to get a form called “Advice Lawyer Family Violence Authorization”. LAO also provides other types of legal aid.
  • The Ontario Women’s Justice Network (OWJN)
    OWJN provides accessible legal information for women and their supporters in a manner that reflects the diverse experiences and realities of women, promoting an understanding of the law with respect to violence against women.
  • Springtide Resources
    Includes fact sheets and legal information specifically addressed to women with disabilities and Deaf women. Under ‘select a population group’, select ‘Women with disabilities/Deaf women’.
  • Sexual Assault is a Crime
    Legal information from the Scarborough Hospital Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Care Centre.
  • Canadian Society of Elizabeth Fry Societies
    Works with and for women and girls in the justice system, particularly those who are, or may be, criminalized.
  • ARCH Disability Law Centre
    Legal information and resources for women with disabilities.
  • The Government of Canada: Department of Justice
  • The Government of Ontario: Ministry of the Attorney General
  • Foreign Affairs
    Useful information on children and travel abroad, child custody, child abduction, and more.
  • Court Prep
    An animated web site for youth who are going to court. Includes witness tips, justice procedures and an interactive courtroom. Developed by the Scarborough Hospital Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Care Centre and Toronto Child Abuse.
  • Ontario Human Rights Commission
    416 314 6266 or 1 866 625 5179
    The Human Rights Legal Support Centre offers legal services to individuals throughout Ontario, who believe they have experienced discrimination.The website provides definitions of sexual harassment and workplace guidelines as well as information on how to participate in the human rights system.

FLEW’s Advisory Council Members and Specialty Partners: