Violence Prevention for Women
Programs & Services

Support For Women Who Have Experienced Abuse

YWCA Metro Vancouver provides practical and emotional support for self-identifying women who are experiencing violence or abuse in an intimate relationship.

If you're in immediate danger or seriously injured, call 911. These resources and helplines are also available to you if you are in a crisis.

Programs and Supports for Survivors
National Emergency Survivor Support Fund

The National Emergency Survivor Support Fund (NESS Fund) provides financial support to women, Two-Spirit, Trans and gender-diverse people who are fleeing intimate partner violence.

Due to the volume of applicants, the YWCA Vancouver NESS Fund has reached its capacity and can no longer accept applications at this time.

Seeds of Independence

YWCA Seeds of Independence is an outreach program providing support to self-identifying women who have experienced abuse by an intimate partner. We work one-to-one and in groups to provide practical and emotional supports, information and referrals. We can meet in person or by phone. 

Seeds of Independence picks up where crisis services leave off.  

 

Learn More

PEACE Program 

The PEACE Program provides individual and group counselling for children and youth, ages 3 to 18, who have witnessed and/or experienced abuse. 

PEACE helps children and youth: 

  • Identify their feelings and express them in healthy ways 

  • Understand what abuse is and that they are not responsible 

  • Recognize their strengths and increase their self-confidence 

For more information, please contact 778 222 1452 or 604 734 5517 then press 3. 

Stopping the Violence Outreach Group 

YWCA Stopping the Violence Outreach group is an empowering space for self-identifying women who have experienced violence.  

Connect with others and explore healthy coping strategies. Sessions may include a presentation or workshop, followed by an arts-based activity.

For more information, please contact stoppingtheviolence@ywcavan.org

Sign up here

Japanese Outreach Program

The YWCA Japanese Outreach Program assists and supports female Japanese nationals who live or are physically located in Canada outside of the Jurisdiction and are dealing with abuse from an intimate partner or homestay situation. 

This program is a partnership between the YWCA and the Government of Japan. 

The Deputy Consul of the Consulate of Japan in Vancouver is a representative of the Consulate duly authorized to execute this Agreement on behalf of the Consulate.

This program can help Japanese nationals with: 

  • General assistance, guidance and emotional support to victims, relating to any aspect of domestic violence 
  • Information and material concerning the BC provincial family court system and immigration system 
  • Information and material regarding the Canadian court system  
  • Consultation, lectures and briefings to staff members of the Consulate relating to domestic violence 
  • Referral to other agencies, institutions or organizations relating to domestic violence located within the Jurisdiction of the Consulate
  • Any other assistance or support as agreed between the Consulate and YWCA 

For more information, please contact Hiromi Kase at hkase@ywcavan.org | 604 209 1808. 

Legal Education Workshops

YWCA Staff Lawyer and Legal Educator, River Shannon, provides free workshops for the public on a broad range of legal issues.  

Workshops will be announced three weeks in advance.

Registration is required. 

 

 

Additional Resources

External Crisis Resources for Survivors of Violence

A list of resources and helplines.

Stopping the Violence

A guide for women facing domestic violence, including resources on transition houses, crisis lines and other support organizations for women leaving abuse. 

Mothers Leaving Abusive Partners 

A plain-language guide primarily for women with children who are experiencing abuse by their intimate partner (such as a spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend). Available in English, French, Spanish, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese.  Produced in collaboration with the Legal Services Society.  

Mothers Without Legal Status 

A booklet for front-line advocates and service providers with detailed information about how to help single women with children in Canada without legal status.

Court-Related Abuse and Harassment 

A research report that documents how abusers use the legal system to continue to harass and abuse.