Date Rape and Sexual Assault
Sexual assault is any kind of act that you are forced or tricked into against your will, and it can be anything from unwanted touching to rape. Being a victim of any type of sexual assault can be confusing because they are usually committed by someone you know or even a current boyfriend or girlfriend, rather than a stranger.
If you’re being touched or approached sexually by someone and it makes you uncomfortable or unhappy, you may be a victim of sexual abuse. If you were forced to have sex against your will, even if it was with your girlfriend or boyfriend, it is rape, no matter what anyone else tells you. Your right to choose has been taken away by someone, and in any of these situations it is important to know that it’s not your fault.
If you’re unsure about what to do, talk to an adult you trust or contact the places below for help and support. If you have been raped, call the police, who help you seek medical attention and help you decide whether to press charges against your rapist. Sexual assault and rape are serious crimes!
Provides confidential counselling services and therapy groups to adult women (aged 16 years or older) who have been recently sexually assaulted or who have experienced childhood sexual abuse or trauma.
| COVID19. All visitors will be screened for COVID-19 before entry and masks and social distancing measures (stay 6ft apart) are mandatory. Residents of the Emily Murphy Centre can have one visitor in their apartment as long as that visitor is healthy and is allowed in the building under our regular visiting polices. If you are experiencing violence and would like to reach out, please call 519-273-7350. Donations are accepted during the new office hours only. Please call ahead so we can meet you outside and receive your gift. Tablets available to borrow by residents – sign out of the office after reading and agreeing to the terms of use – from 10 am and must be returned to the office by 3 pm – devices for in-house clients only. Transitional Second Stage housing, counselling, support groups, educational classes, art therapy, practical assistance for abused women, with or without children. Offers rent-geared-to-income housing for women and their children with a focus on safety. Outreach services. Trauma-informed counselling and training. |
Emergency Shelter
We offer emergency residence for women and their children who are experiencing gender based violence. Services are provided at no cost. We are a 24 hour accessible facility with 8 bedrooms available to women and their children. A children’s play room, large kitchen and dining area and a shared living room along with a huge backyard are available for use. All bedding, food and other necessary items are provided. We also offer support and advocacy for women with criminal, civil or family legal matters, social services, housing, income supports, etc.
Emergency Transportation
We can transport individual women or women and their children to the shelter from anywhere in the County, on a 24 hour basis at no cost.
Support & Information By Phone
Available on a 24 hour basis, toll free and available for those in need of support, have questions or are looking for information.
We also provide the following services
Second Stage Housing
In Clinton, Goderich and Exeter. with 1 accessible unit in each building – rent geared to income units, see separate entries for details.
Children and Youth Program
A special counselling and support program is available for children and youth who have witnessed violence in their home. Children and youth who have witnessed violence can be seen in their school or home community as well as in the shelter and at any second stage site. Support for parents is also provided.
Care Lead Program
The Care Lead Program is available to women in Huron County who are experiencing moments of transition in their lives and have experienced violence. From thinking about leaving an abusive relationship through all of the transitions after leaving a relationship, the care lead counsellor can help a woman to access resources, like financial, housing, and education, and support them every step of the way.
Sexual Assault Counselling
Sexual assault counselling in available to women in Huron County who have experienced sexual violence.
Family Court Support Program
The Family Court Support Program is available to women in Huron County who have experienced gender based violence and are involved in the family court or will be involved with family court in the future. The program is able to provide information about family court, attend appointments, connect with legal supports, make referrals, and debrief after attending court. The family court support counsellor can support women every step of the way.
COVID19 During COVID19 continuing to operate and assess referrals on a case-by-case basis. Non-essential guests and service providers not permitted in shelter. To access services or respite there is an email for victims that is monitored during business hours HERE. 24 hour crisis line continuing to operate
Assists women in recognizing the warning signs of an abusive relationship by identifying what constitutes physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Advice on how to end an abusive relationship. Program gives tools to help build healthy and positive connections with others. Group setting or a one-on-one meeting with the Outreach counselor
COVID19 – Sebringville, Listowel and Mitchell detachment locations are closed. Emergency and non-emergency services remain available. Online reporting HERE. Each detachment location still provides 24hr direct access to our OPP Communications Centre via public telephones posted at the front entrance.
Patrols provincial highways and bodies of water. Enforces laws concerning vehicle traffic, liquor, gambling, and illegal drugs under provincial statutes and criminal code. Policing services in areas not covered by municipal police and provide resources to other police and law enforcement agencies. Informs citizens on crime prevention, safety, and police oriented matters
Listowel Office, 330 Wallace Ave N, 519-291-1414, 519-291-5414 (fax)
Mitchell Office, 169 St. David St., 519-348-9700
Patrols provincial highways and bodies of water * enforces laws concerning vehicle traffic, liquor, gambling, and illegal drugs under provincial statutes and criminal code * policing services in areas not covered by municipal police * provide resources to other police and law enforcement agencies * informs citizens on crime prevention, safety, and police oriented matters
OPP
Patrols provincial highways and bodies of water, enforces laws concerning vehicle traffic, liquor, gambling, and illegal drugs under provincial statutes and criminal code, polices services in areas not covered by municipal police, provides resources to other police and law enforcement agencies, and informs citizens on crime prevention, safety, and police oriented matters.
Report minor occurrences such as theft, mischief to property, lost property and diving complains online HERE
Community Policing Office at 50 Courtyard Square, Goderich.
Municipal policing services for the City of Stratford. For non emergency crime related incidents such as vandalism, graffiti and to provide information on past acts. For emergency incidents, residents should call 911.
COVID19 Victim Witness Assistance Program (VWAP) staff conducting interactions with clients by phone. Call office for information, support and referrals.
Information and assistance to support participation in the criminal court process. Services begin once police have laid charges and continue until the court case is over.
Providing assistance with;
Vulnerable Victims and Family Fund – financial and court-based supports to enable victims of crime and families of homicide victims to attend court with travel arrangements and expenses, language interpretation and real-time captioning or other equipment for victims with disabilities.
COVID19 Office phone forwarded to staff cell phone and will be answered directly. Staff are willing to support on scene First Responders if required. If phone support is an option that would be the first line of defense. Referrals, safety planning and needs assessments will be completed by phone, email. In-person support could take place after COVID19 screening questions were completed to ensure safety for all. On-site early intervention and crisis intervention, needs assessment, safety planning, referrals to community services, enhanced support for vulnerable victims and assistance with applications to VQRP+Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+) assistance with emergency expenses related to the incident, including home safety, accommodation, meals, transportation, basic necessities, dependent care costs, counselling, traditional Indigenous health services, cellular phones, vision care, dental care, aids for victims with disabilities, interpretation services, crime scene cleanup, government/medical documents and funeral expenses. Additional assistance for victims of human trafficking includes storage locker, tattoo removal, and treatment at a recovery facility. No direct reimbursement to victims for support listed above. Financial support also available for victims who sustained serious physical injuries during a crime and for parents of child homicide victims and spouses of homicide victimSatellite office at Seaforth Arena 122 Duke St., Seaforth N0K 1W0