Violence Prevention and Support Programs
Abuse takes many different forms and BWSS recognizes all types of abuse.
Every woman has the right to be safe and free from violence. BWSS provides a secure environment in which women are free to express themselves without being judged or threatened. Any woman who has experienced abuse in an intimate relationship, childhood sexual abuse or adult sexual assault may access our programs.
Counselling, Support Groups & Programs
BWSS provides long-term individual Stopping the Violence counselling for women who are currently experiencing violence and/or who are survivors of violence including childhood sexual abuse or adult sexual assault. BWSS also provides support to women survivors of Indian Residential Schools and/or foster care.
Additionally, BWSS is committed to offering drop-in, closed and specialized support groups to women dealing with violence and its effects. BWSS support groups provide a safe place for women to connect with each other in order to alleviate isolation, share information, raise awareness, heal by developing coping and recovery skills and plan for a life free from violence.
- Support Groups
- Counselling
- Indigenous Women’s Programs
- Women’s Safety and Outreach Program
- Career Exploration
- Latin American Women’s Program
- Programa para Mujeres Latino Americanas
- Legal Advocacy
- YOUth Ending Violence
- Violence, Media Representations and Families media literacy program
CRISIS LINE 604-687-1867
Indigenous Women’s Program
Battered Women’s Support Services offers culturally appropriate services run by Indigenous women for Indigenous women. The Indigenous Women’s Program offers direct services through drum groups, counselling, and different ceremonies such as full moon and sweat lodge ceremonies. We are decolonizing and healing from the trauma of colonization, the effects and intergenerational effects of residential schools, the loss of our children, and living life in a patriarchal society. By using holistic practices through traditional medicines and ceremonies, we are healing from these traumas and reclaiming our rightful roles as strong Indigenous women in our community, finding our voices and standing strong in our power.
CRISIS LINE 604-687-1867
Victim Services Program
BWSS Victim Services Program provides direct services, legal assistance and systems based information, crisis intervention, safety planning, advocacy, court accompaniment and referrals to women and female youth survivors of violence in intimate relationships and/or criminal harassment.
The core services in the program are assessment and safety planning, lethality and risk assessment, and the provision of general information to women regarding the criminal justice system including crisis intervention, emotional support, assistance with filling out Crime Victim Assistance Program Forms and Victim Impact Statements. Additionally we provide information on the status of police investigation and information on the role of the various players in the justice system and the practicalities of testifying as a witness, including court preparation and witness orientation. We also provide referrals and systemic advocacy for women who are navigating the Canadian legal system.
CRISIS LINE 604-687-1867
AWARE Program
The BWSS Advancing Women’s Awareness Regarding Employment Program (AWARE) seeks to bring the very best in service design and delivery to employment and economic development for women survivors of violence. This program recognizes and addresses unique barriers facing women and supports women who have experienced violence and abuse to move towards independence and self-reliance.
Black Women’s Program
BWSS offers a range of support groups and specialized support groups as part of the Black Women’s Program. Participants are surrounded and supported by women who have a common and distinctive shared ancestral history without the need to censor themselves, or perform for others. This network of women comes together to bear witness and create a healing space each in other’s lives, struggles, and transformations.
CRISIS LINE 604-687-1867
Latin American Women’s Program
At BWSS, we acknowledge the struggles of Latin American immigrant women who are fleeing violence from their native country, who may have been tortured, or undergone systemic violence and oppression. The program offers survivor assistance support, long term counselling and a support group in their own language.
CRISIS LINE 604-687-1867
Legal Services and Advocacy Program
The Legal Services and Advocacy Program at BWSS provides legal information, accompaniment to court and legal appointments, we appeal when legal aid has been denied and provide assistance for documents and affidavits preparation. BWSS legal services and advocacy work spans family, immigration, refugee, and criminal law as well as the Indian Act.
CRISIS LINE 604-687-1867
Transitions Program
Through individualized programming that builds capacity, Transitions holds a stigma free space for women’s diverse experiences to create pathways for different opportunities at a pace women are comfortable with. Transitions takes a rights based approach and meet women where they are at to best identify their needs, goals and challenges. Transitions continuous intake process helps women find what she requires for her individual situation and needs. For more information about Transitions please email transitions@bwss.org
CRISIS LINE 604-687-1867
