Victim Support Unit
The Victim Support Unit (VSU) is dedicated to providing professional assistance and crisis counselling to victims of crime or tragic circumstances. The VSU also ensures that victims have access to the many resources and programs offered in the Ottawa Area.
The VSU is staffed with professional Crisis Counsellors who are available to help if you are in need of support or have any questions with regards to being victimized or suffering from tragic circumstances.
Victims who contact the VSU can expect a risk and needs assessment by a trained professional crisis counsellor. Crisis Counsellors may also provide victims with crisis and post trauma counselling, information about the criminal justice system, support, advocacy, and referral to external resources for longer term support.
Please be aware that we do not operate a 24 hour Crisis Line. You may be required to leave a message and one of our Crisis Counselors will return your call as soon as possible.
If you are in immediate danger or are aware of a crime in progress, call 911.
For 24 hour crisis response please use the following crisis response lines :
- Distress Center 613-238-3311
- Mental Health Crisis Line 613-722-6914
- Assaulted Women's Helpline Ontario 1-866-863-0511
- FEM'AIDE (Ligne de soutien pour femmes violentées) 1-877-336-2433, 1-866-860-7082 (TTS)
- Ottawa Rape Crisis Center 613-562-2333
- Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868
- Ottawa Help line for abused women (English) 613-745-4818 and (French) 613- 745-3665
Other Resources:
- Common reactions to being a victim of crime or tragic circumstances
- Some things to do that may help following a trauma
- Sexual Assault Survivor Guide
- Street Proofing Workshop for Women
- Dealing with a Death... Information for Survivors
- Teddy Bear Program
- Income Support for Parents of Murdered or Missing Children grant
The Canadian Centre for Child Protection is a charitable organization dedicated to the personal safety of all children. Their goal is to reduce child victimization by providing programs and services to Canadians.
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