Violence Against Women Services
- Definition of Violence Against Women
- Violence Against Women Program
- Child Witness Program
- Peer Support Program
- Chrysalis House
Definition of Violence Against Women
Violence Against Women is an intentional pattern of behaviours to establish and maintain power and control over a woman’s thoughts, beliefs, conduct and how she lives her life. The different types of abuse can include but are not limited to: physical and sexual violence, threats, isolation, economic deprivation, attacks on a woman’s personality and mind and coercive use of children.
Intimate relationships include those between opposite-sex and same-sex partners. These relationships vary in duration and legal formality, and include current and former dating, common-law and married couples.
Although both women and men can be victims of intimate violence, the overwhelming majority of this violence involves men abusing women. Sometime the issue of who is the perpetrator can be clarified by asking which partner is afraid by the other’s behaviour.
- Click the butterfly for more information on VAW
Violence Against Women program
This program is available in English and French
Support and counselling services to abused women and their children who live in Kanata, Nepean, Goulbourn, West Carleton, Rideau, Osgoode and Bay wards.
The Violence Against Women Program offers:
- Individual Support
- Referrals and information about services in the community.
- Crisis Counselling
- Advocacy
- Support Groups
We serve:
- Women from any age, culture, religion, sexual orientation and ability.
- Women who have left or who are still with their partner.
- Women who would like to know more about abusive relationships, the impact on themselves and their children, healthy relationships, self-esteem, anger, etc.
Support Groups:
- Free and confidential, help with childcare and transportation is available.
- Wheelchair accessible
If you are in immediate danger abuse call 911.
If you are in danger from violence and abuse and need emergency shelter or crisis support, the following Ottawa-based crisis lines are available 24 hours a day:
| Chrysalis House: | 613-591-5901 |
| Interval House: | 613-234-5181 |
| La Présence: | 613-241-8297 |
| Maison D'Amitié: | 613-747-0020 |
| Nelson House: | 613-225-3129 |
| Women's Crisis Line: | 613-745-4818 |
| Distress Centre: | 613-238-3311 |
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For more information please contact:
Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre 613-591-3686
Nepean, Rideau, Osgoode Community Resource Centre 613-596-5626
Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre 613-820-4922
This program is available thanks to funding from the Ministry of Community and Social Services, Government of Ontario.
Child Witness Program
This program is available in English only
A program for children who have witnessed women abuse
The Child Witness Program offers:
- Counselling, referral and advocacy for children and mothers.
- Support groups for children ages 6-11 who have witnessed woman abuse in their homes. Children learn ways of coping through discussion, videos, crafts and activities.
- A group for mothers is offered at the same time, offering education, support and a link to what their children are learning.
We serve:
- Residents of Kanata, Goulbourn and West Carleton wards, as well as residents from areas served by the Community Resource Centre of Nepean, Osgoode and Rideau and Pinecrest-Queensway Health and Community Servies.
- Children ages 6 – 18 who have witnessed woman abuse in their homes.
- Children whose mother has left or who is still with her partner.
- Children residing at Chrysalis House and the Carling Family Shelter.
For more information please contact:
Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre 613-591-3686
This program is available thanks to funding from the Ministry of Community and Social Services, Government of Ontario.
Peer Support Program
A volunteer program created to offer women, especially survivors of violence, an opportunity to work individually and collectively to end violence against women
Peer Supporters provide support to women who have been in an abusive relationship by:
- developing a short-term supportive relationship with an abused woman, and
- offering one-time support or accompany a woman to community appointments.
Another aspect of the Peer Supporter’s role is prevention and social action activities to end violence against women. As a group, the Peer Supporters take on various activities and projects to further this goal.
Peer Support Volunteers are:
- women residing in Kanata, Nepean, Goulbourn, West Carleton, Rideau, Osgoode and Bay wards.
- Women from any age, culture, religion, sexual orientation and ability.
In the year 2000, Peer Supporters received over a hundred tulips from Canada Trust. Peer Supporters decided to plant three memorial gardens to commemorate those who have experienced violence. Large engraved stones were placed at each garden with the following inscription:
TO HONOUR ALL WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHO
HAVE
EXPERIENCED VIOLENCE,
LET YOUR SPIRIT SOAR.
The Peer Support Program chose the tulip as a symbol of renewal and hope. Volunteers, staff and survivors of abuse planted them in our three communities in November 2000. Tulip beds were created in Goulbourn at the Village Square (Map), in Kanata at Walter Baker Park (Map) and in West Carleton at the City of Ottawa building (Map).
Peer Supporters continue to maintain the gardens with the hope that they will always be a place of solace. The gardens represent our support and comfort to those who have suffered from abuse.
Look for the tulips in the spring and let them remind you that we all need to work together to end violence.
For more information about the Peer Support program please contact:
Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre 613-591-3686
This program is available thanks to generous donations from our community.
Chrysalis House
Chrysalis House is a safe and secure twenty-five bed home in Western Ottawa. It is a place where a woman can go to protect herself and her children from violence and abuse. In this supportive environment, a woman can focus on her personal needs and choices as well as on her children's needs.
Volunteer & Community Education at Chrysalis House
The Volunteer & Community Education program aims to increase the community’s knowledge of violence against women issues. The program also aims to increase volunteer opportunities to support the growing and diverse needs of the shelter and the women we serve. Opportunities open to all genders.
After an initial screening process, interview, and appropriate training, Chrysalis House volunteers are able to participate in various roles.
Chrysalis House offers a crisis phone line 24 hours/day 613-591-5901
Services provided during a woman's stay may include:
- Crisis intervention
- One-to-one supportive counselling
- Group support
- Education and information
- Assistance with accessing financial, legal and housing support
- Accompaniment services
- Advocacy
- Referral to Community Resources
Service is also provided to all children, youth and parents staying at the house. This may include:
- Crisis intervention
- One-to-one support
- Group support
- Education and information
- Advocacy
We serve:
Any woman (over 16) and child who is in an abusive home and needs to leave her home to keep herself and her child safe. Chrysalis House provides services to women of diverse age, culture, sexual orientation and ability.
If you are in immediate danger call 911
If you are in danger from violence and abuse and need emergency shelter or crisis support, the following Ottawa-based crisis lines are available 24 hours a day:
| Chrysalis House: | 613-591-5901 |
| Interval House: | 613-234-5181 |
| La Présence: | 613-241-8297 |
| Maison D'Amitié: | 613-747-0020 |
| Nelson House: | 613-225-3129 |
| Women's Crisis Line: | 613-745-4818 |
| Distress Centre: | 613-238-3311 |
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For more information please contact:
Chrysalis House Business Line – 613-591-5991
Chrysalis House 24 hour crisis line – 613-591-5901
Chrysalis House TTY line - 613-591-8912
This program is available thanks to funding from the Ministry of Community and Social Services, Government of Ontario.
We are always looking for
special items for Chrysalis House residents.