How You Can Show Support to Survivors This Valentine’s Day
We invite you to join us in celebrating resilience, healing, and solidarity with survivors.
On the frontline since 1979.
Battered Women’s Support Services provides education, advocacy, and support services to assist all victims and survivors in our aim to work towards the elimination of gender-based violence and to work from a feminist perspective that promotes gender equity.
Community Engagement
Battered Women’s Support services provides many opportunities for you to work with us.
If you believe that all gender based violence must end, then check out our violence prevention opportunities for allies.
Enhanced legal supports and education that help survivors navigate complex legal systems and bridge a gap in services that is often insurmountable without support.
Support for survivors and victims of gender based violence
You have the right to be safe and free from violence.
Anyone who has experienced gender based violence, abuse in an intimate relationship, childhood sexual abuse or adult sexual assault may access our services.
Research and Policy
We provide critical data, research, and policy analytics to grassroots and community-based organizing campaigns.
This strengthens our impact by mobilizing community-based experiences and evidence-informed resources from an intersectional, anti-oppressive, feminist and critical race theory, analysis, and practice.
Professional Training & Presentations
Since 1979 BWSS has developed curriculum and delivered training workshops based on an empowerment model.
Our curriculum is grounded in theoretical foundations, current research, practical skills.
My Sister’s Closet
A Social Enterprise of BWSS
We are solid members of the zero waste, eco fashion, and the thrift movement. 100 percent of revenue generated from sales help fund the violence prevention and intervention services and programs operated by BWSS.
Synchronicity Second Stage Transition House Program offers safe, affordable temporary accommodation and support services for women and children who have experienced violence.
For more information about special projects and initiatives, please visit our Special Projects page.
safety plans completed
women died in Canada due to gender-based violence in 2024
requests for service
support group sessions averaging 18 participants at each session
crisis calls received
survivors supported through legal advocacy
With your help we responded to 52,649 requests for service
More than a third of all women, girls, and gender-diverse folks worldwide will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.
We are working to change that.
End Violence with Your Inbox
Sign up to receive updates as together we take action to end violence against women and girls.
Ending Violence Blog
Our advocacy work extends to our award winning Ending Violence Blog where we provide resources and information to end gender based violence.
Honouring MMIWG: The Ongoing Crisis and the Need for Urgent Action
On February 14, 2025, the 34th Annual Women’s Memorial March took place in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES), a haunting reminder that despite years of inquiries, reports, and so-called government commitments, Indigenous women, girls, and 2S individuals continue to go missing and be murdered at an alarming rate.
Buy Local, Buy Social – The Economy That Works for Everyone
Global markets fluctuate. Tariffs rise and fall. Supply chains get disrupted. But local economies? They keep moving. When you choose to Buy Local, Buy Social, you’re investing in a resilient, self-sustaining economy—one that’s less vulnerable to external shocks and more focused on community strength, economic stability, and shared prosperity.
Public Legal Education at the Justice Centre at BWSS
The Justice Centre at BWSS provides critical public legal education for frontline workers, legal advocates, and support workers assisting survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). Through education, advocacy, and systemic change, we aim to challenge the injustices embedded in the legal system and support survivors in using the law as a tool for safety, resistance, and justice.