Domestic Violence Support and Resources in BC

If you are in immediate danger, call your local police or dial 9-1-1.

Here are some provincial resources for survivors of domestic violence, including victim services, legal information, support services and more. For services available in your community, please go to our online directory of programs and services for women, children and youth experiencing violence at https://bcsth.ca/directory/

Emergency and Crisis Lines                 

bc211.ca

  • Dial or text 211

211 is a free 24 hour service that connects people to resources in their community. The call line can provide information and referral to a broad range of community, government, and social services. The support worker is able to transfer the call to Transition Houses, Shelters and Safe Homes.

A searchable map shows contact information for BC’s Transition Houses and a list of Shelters with the number of beds available at https://bc211.ca 

VictimLink BC

  • 1 (800) 563-0808

24-hour telephone help line providing crisis support in 130 languages. VictimLink BC can connect you to Safe emergency shelter, community-based victim service programs, counselling programs and other treatment and healing programs.

Lamathut Crisis Line

  • 1 (800) 721-0066

The Indian Residential School Survivors Society operates a 24-hour crisis line to support survivors and families across British Columbia and beyond. Survivors can also access support as part of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence.

SALAL 24-Hour Crisis & Information Line

  • (604) 255-6344
  • 1 (877) 392-7583 (toll free)
  • Salal Connect – Text at (604)-245-2425

If you are in the Lower Mainland and need of immediate crisis assistance, call (604) 255-6344.

This 24-Hour Gender-Based Violence Crisis and Information Line will provide contact with support workers including those who specialize in sexual violence.

Salal Connect provides access to a Sexual Assault Response Team, Hospital, Police and Court Accompaniment, and Counselling including Indigenous and MMIWG2S Family Counselling.

Hope for Wellness Help Line

24-hour helpline offers immediate Mental Health Counselling and Crisis Intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. Phone and chat counselling is available in English and French. On request, phone counselling is also available in Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut.

Youth Against Violence Line

Call the Youth Against Violence Line and talk one-on-one to a YAV Line support worker 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Because the YAV Line is a multilingual service, we can talk to you in your language. Parents, teachers, caregivers, service providers and others are also welcome to call for information and assistance.

Kids Help Phone

  • 1 (800) 668-6868

Canada-wide bilingual counselling, referral and support service for children and youth under the age of 20 years old. Professional counsellors provide immediate and caring support to young people who are dealing with a problem, making a hard decision, or concerned with feelings or mood.

The service is free, confidential, anonymous and available 24 hours a day.

CrisisCentres  

Anywhere in BC 1-800-SUICIDE: 1-800-784-2433
Mental Health Support Line: 310-6789
Vancouver Coastal Regional Distress Line: 604-872-3311
Sunshine Coast/Sea to Sky: 1-866-661-3311
Seniors Distress Line: 604-872-1234
Online Chat Service for Youth: www.YouthInBC.com (Noon to 1am)
Online Chat Service for Adults: www.CrisisCentreChat.ca (Noon to 1am)

https://www.crisislines.bc.ca/mapcrisis-lines

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, call 1 (800) 784-2433 / 1 (800) SUICIDE, or call your local crisis centre.  Help is available! We are here to listen, here to help – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Language Service: Both of the 310-6789 and 1-800-SUICIDE phone lines are available in over 140 languages.

Support Services

BC Society of Transition Houses – Directory of Member Programs

The BCSTH directory is a complete listing of all BCSTH members’ programs and services including Transition, Second and Third Stage Houses, Safe Homes and PEACE and Violence is Preventable programs across BC.

BC Housing

BC Housing provides a list and contact information for all transition houses and safe homes across the Province. Includes sample Safety Plans.

Seniors Abuse and Information Line (SAIL)

  • (604) 437-1940 or TTY: (604) 428-3359
  • Toll-Free: 1 (866) 437-1940 or TTY Toll-Free: 1 (855) 306-1443

Province-wide confidential information and referral line for older adults, and caregivers to talk about abuse or mistreatment. Available 7 days a week (excluding holidays), 8 am to 8 pm. Language interpretation is available Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm.

Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS)

Women seeking our services are welcome to call our Crisis and Intake line for emotional support, information and referrals to community resources, specific information about coping, and help to create a safety plan for women who are dealing with violence and/or the effects of abuse.

QCHAT

QCHAT is a 2SLGBTQIA+ peer-support line and resource database for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in British Columbia. This service provides connection to peer support volunteers, resources, and emotional support. Lines are open Monday to Wednesday, 6:00 to 9:00 pm.

Search the website for other adults and youth at https://qmunity.ca/contact/

The Gay and Lesbian Association of BC

Using the search term “violence” on the online directory to find a list that includes counseling and psychology resources for 2SLGBTQQA+ people who are experiencing violence. 

Vancouver & Lower Mainland Multicultural Family Support Services Society (VLMMFSS)

Offers many support services including counseling for domestic violence and children who witness abuse. May provide a translator for police or court interviews. 

Family LawLINE

  • (604) 408-2172 (in Greater Vancouver)
  • 1 (866) 577-2525 (elsewhere in BC)

Provides a person with a low income experiencing a family law issue with free legal advice over the telephone from a family lawyer. Topics may include parenting time or contact/access, guardianship/custody, child support, spousal support, property division, family agreements and court procedures. Interpreters provided if you need services in languages other than English. Service available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 am to 3 pm. Wednesday from 9 am to 2:30 pm.

Emergency Supports

Note:  Both of these helplines may be answered by child protection social workers.

Helpline for Children

  • 310.1234 (no area code required)
  • Dial 0 and ask for Zenith 1 2 3 4

24-hour helpline for children and youth who may feel unsafe, confused or scared and wish to talk with someone. Children, parents, community members or anyone having reason to believe that a child is, has been, or is likely to be abused or neglected should also report their concerns to this line.

Ministry of Social Development & Social Innovation – After-Hours Emergency

  • (604) 660-3194
  • 1 (866) 660-3194

Provides after-hours emergency service at times of personal or family crisis related to necessities (food, shelter, medical transportation, and prescription drugs). Region specific emergency transportation to transition houses or another safe place if a shelter or transition house is not required.