If you're in crisis right now
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Survivors helped by the Barbra Schlifer Clinic since 1985
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Languages of interpretation at the Schlifer Clinic (plus ASL)
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Free 24/7 service navigation — call or text 2-1-1
| Situation | Who to contact |
|---|---|
| Immediate danger | 911 |
| Domestic / intimate partner violence, any time | Assaulted Women's Helpline: 416-863-0511 / 1-866-863-7868 (also text #SAFE) |
| Sexual assault — crisis or ongoing support | Toronto Rape Crisis Centre — women-run, feminist peer support |
| Sexual assault — medical / forensic care | SA/DVCC, Women's College Hospital Mobile Team: 416-323-6040 |
| Find an emergency shelter bed | ShelterSafe.ca, or call the Assaulted Women's Helpline for real-time space |
| Human trafficking | Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-833-900-1010 |
| Indigenous women, 24/7 | Talk4Healing — confidential, 14 languages |
| Male survivors of sexual abuse | 1-866-887-0015 |
| Emotional distress, general | Distress Centres of Toronto: 416-408-4357 |
| Suicide crisis | 988 (call or text) |
Domestic / intimate partner violence, any time
- Who to contact
- Assaulted Women's Helpline: 416-863-0511 / 1-866-863-7868 (also text #SAFE)
Sexual assault — crisis or ongoing support
- Who to contact
- Toronto Rape Crisis Centre — women-run, feminist peer support
Sexual assault — medical / forensic care
- Who to contact
- SA/DVCC, Women's College Hospital Mobile Team: 416-323-6040
Find an emergency shelter bed
- Who to contact
- ShelterSafe.ca, or call the Assaulted Women's Helpline for real-time space
Indigenous women, 24/7
- Who to contact
- Talk4Healing — confidential, 14 languages
'Women' here includes trans and non-binary people
Most anti-violence and health services in Toronto have broadened their intake to include trans women and non-binary people — don’t assume you’re excluded based on how a name reads. If you want a trans-inclusive service, say so at intake.Emergency shelters & transitional housing
Toronto has a well-developed women’s shelter network — most operate call-first since space is limited and locations are often confidential. The Assaulted Women’s Helpline is the fastest way to find same-day space; it has real-time visibility across the system.
Ernestine's Women's Shelter
Crisis intervention and holistic support for women and children rebuilding their lives after violence.
Interval House
Downtown/central women's shelter — crisis support, counselling, and safe housing.
Anduhyaun
Emergency shelter for Aboriginal women and their children, with culturally grounded support.
Other locations
YWCA Toronto Women's Shelter, North York Women's Shelter, Dr. Roz's Healing Place, Juliette's Place, plus Jewish Family & Child (Kosher) and Maison d'hébergement pour femmes francophones for faith/language-specific needs.
How intake works
Call the Assaulted Women’s Helpline or a shelter directly. You’ll be asked about safety needs (including whether you need to avoid co-ed space, or a shelter more affirming for trans women) and matched by current availability. If beds are full, the helpline can arrange interim options (e.g. hotel stays) while a longer-term bed is found.Legal support
Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic
Since 1985, free legal representation, counselling & interpretation for survivors of violence — family, immigration, criminal & sexual assault law, plus support at all three Toronto family courts. Interpretation in 89 languages + ASL.
Legal Aid Ontario
Waives income eligibility for domestic-violence survivors needing family-law help (restraining orders, keeping access to your children). Call the Contact Centre Mon–Fri 8–5 for free summary advice or to apply for a certificate.
- Independent Legal Advice for Survivors — up to 8 hrs free advice (phone/video) for survivors of sexual offences, incl. non-consensual sharing of intimate images.
- Luke’s Place — family-law support for abuse survivors, plus a Family Court Support Worker Program.
- Pro Bono Law Ontario — up to 30 min free advice for civil matters: 1-855-255-7256.
- CLEO — free plain-language legal information: 416-408-4420.
Economic & financial abuse
One of the least-visible barriers to leaving
Financial control is often the hardest barrier to leaving — survivors describe being left with no money, sometimes forced into bankruptcy. It’s a recognized, specifically-handled situation; you don’t need to solve it alone before seeking help.- RIWC Financial Empowerment & Literacy Program — free support for low-to-moderate income people, focused on newcomer, racialized & immigrant women.
- Ask any shelter intake worker about emergency financial assistance — most can help with immediate needs (transit, food, clothing) while you sort out longer-term income.
- Financially entangled with an abuser (joint accounts, debt in your name)? The Barbra Schlifer Clinic and Legal Aid Ontario can both advise on next steps.
- WomanACT coordinates the city-wide response to woman abuse — useful for understanding what’s available and for systemic advocacy.
Human trafficking support
Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline
Confidential, toll-free, 24/7 — connects you to local services.
Strides Toronto — Gender-Based Violence Program
Trauma therapy, case management, peer & group support for survivors of human trafficking.
- Toronto Police Human Trafficking Enforcement Team: 416-808-4838 — if you suspect someone is being trafficked.
- Free legal advice for a trafficking restraining order — Mon–Fri 8:30–5:30 via the Ministry of the Attorney General.
- Survivors of trafficking or domestic abuse can apply for priority access to social housing or a rent subsidy — ask a frontline agency to help.
- Victim Quick Response Program+ — emergency funding via Victim Crisis Assistance Ontario agencies.
Indigenous, newcomer & immigrant women
- Native Women’s Resource Centre of Toronto — trauma support for survivors of sexual violence, harassment & trafficking, serving Native women since 1985. See the Indigenous guide.
- 2-Spirited People of the First Nation — culturally specific supports for Two-Spirit communities, incl. for those living with HIV: 416-944-9300.
- Immigration status can be weaponized (sponsorship threats). If your abuser controls your paperwork or threatens deportation, the Barbra Schlifer Clinic’s immigration services and Legal Aid are equipped for exactly this — you are not required to stay because of your status.
- Newcomer Women’s Services (NEW) — settlement, employment, women-only English with free childcare: 416-469-0196. RIWC runs a Violence Against Women Program. See the newcomer guide.
Sexual, reproductive & mental health
Women's College Hospital
Ontario's only independent hospital focused on women's health. The Bay Centre for Birth Control offers contraception, reproductive & abortion care. No emergency department — for emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest ED.
Free sexual health clinics
Toronto Public Health Sexual Health Clinics & Planned Parenthood Toronto — free, confidential, no OHIP or referral, all ages. Hassle Free Clinic and the Bay Centre also offer free/low-cost abortion counselling & referrals.
WCH mental health isn't a crisis service
The Reproductive Life Stages and Trauma Therapy programs need a referral and aren’t for emergencies — for a mental health crisis, use the crisis lines above or go to an ED. Sexual Health Infoline Ontario: 1-800-668-2437.Workplace harassment & discrimination
- Barbra Schlifer Clinic workplace program — for women & gender-diverse people of precarious immigration/employment status who experienced sexual assault or harassment at work: summary advice, brief services & referrals.
- Ontario Human Rights Legal Support Centre (1-866-625-5179) — advice, advocacy & representation in human rights claims, including sex-based discrimination & harassment.
- Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario — where formal discrimination/harassment complaints are filed.
- If harassment comes from a partner/ex following you to work, the Assaulted Women’s Helpline can include workplace-specific safety strategies.
Personal safety — practical tools
- SafeTTC app — discreetly report harassment or safety concerns to TTC's Transit Control Centre, monitored 24/7.
- Designated Waiting Areas on subway platforms — the best-lit, camera-covered spot with intercom & emergency button; use them at night.
- TTC Request Stop Program — request a stop between regular stops on a night bus if travelling alone.
- iPhone Emergency SOS — press the side button 5 times to trigger an emergency call; set it up in advance.
- Campus WalkSafe / Safety Escort — most Toronto campuses pair you with security to escort you, no booking needed.
Stalking is a crime — document it
Criminal harassment/stalking is a distinct offence — you can report it even if no physical violence has occurred yet. Keep a record of dates, messages, and encounters; it strengthens both police reports and restraining-order applications. And trust your instincts: Toronto Police advise that a moment of embarrassment over a false alarm matters far less than your safety.Practical tips for accessing services
Quick-reference: key numbers
| Need | Contact |
|---|---|
| Immediate danger | 911 |
| Domestic / intimate partner violence, 24/7 | 416-863-0511 / 1-866-863-7868 |
| Sexual assault peer support | Toronto Rape Crisis Centre |
| Sexual assault medical / forensic care | 416-323-6040 (WCH Mobile Team) |
| Human trafficking | 1-833-900-1010 |
| Male survivors of sexual abuse | 1-866-887-0015 |
| Free legal + counselling for survivors | 416-323-9149 (Barbra Schlifer Clinic) |
| General service navigation, 24/7 | 2-1-1 (call or text) |
| Emotional distress / crisis | 416-408-4357 |
| Suicide crisis | 988 |
| Report a crime anonymously | 1-800-222-8477 (Crime Stoppers) |
Sexual assault peer support
- Contact
- Toronto Rape Crisis Centre
Sources
All sources accessed July 2, 2026. Service details change often — call first to confirm hours, intake, and availability before travelling.
- Assaulted Women's Helpline — AWHL
- Find a shelter — ShelterSafe
- Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic — Schlifer Clinic
- Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline — CCTEHT
- Women's College Hospital — WCH
Reflects publicly available program information as of mid-2026. Shelter space, intake, and program details change frequently — when safety is time-sensitive, call the Assaulted Women’s Helpline or 911 directly rather than relying solely on this document.