RESOURCES

Ministry of Justice

Victims and Witnesses of Crime and Violence

HELP LINES AND WEBSITES


HELP LINES

VictimLink BC

  • Phone: 1 800 563-0808
  • Telecommunications for the Deaf (TTY): 604 875-0885; to call collect call Telus Rely Service at 711
  • Text at 604 836-6381
  • E-mail: VictimLinkBC@bc211.ca

To speak to a Victim Service Worker call VictimLink BC. Victim Link BC is a toll-free, telephone service available across BC and Yukon, 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. VictimLink BC is confidential, anonymous, multilingual and TTY (tele-communications for the deaf) accessible.

VictimLink BC provides information and referral services to all victims of crime and immediate crisis support to victims of family and sexual violence.

  • VictimLink BC can connect you to a network of community, social, health, justice and government resources, including victim services, transition houses and counselling resources.
  • VictimLink BC can connect you to community agencies that provide health information or advocacy services tailored for persons with disabilities, men, women, specific age groups, cultural backgrounds or sexual orientation.
  • VictimLink BC also provides information on the justice system, relevant federal and provincial legislation and programs, crime prevention, safety planning, protection order registry and other resources as needed.

See victimlinkbc.ca for more information

Helpline for Children – 310-1234 (anywhere in B.C., no area code required)

Call for help – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – if you are:

  • A child abused at home, school, or anywhere
  • concerned about a child who may need protection or to ask questions about reporting
  • a parent afraid you might hurt your child

B.C.'s child protection law (The Child, Family and Community Service Act) applies to children and youth under 19. If anyone believes that a person under 19 'needs protection' (as defined under the act), that person must tell a child protection social worker. Child protection and family support services are provided through the Ministry of Children and Family Development. Call the Helpline for Children to make a report concerning a child who may need protection or to get further information.

The call is free, even if you are on a payphone. There is always a social worker ready to answer your call and you do not have to identify yourself. See www.safekidsbc.ca/helpline.htm for more information

Youth Against Violence Line – 1 800 680-4264

Youth Against Violence Line (YAVL) is a service that young people can call to seek assistance or report incidents of youth violence or crime. Parents can also call for information on topics such as ganges, bullying, harassment / intimidation, or other youth related issues. See www.youthagainstviolenceline.com for more information.

Public Guardian and Trustee – 1 800 663-7867

The Public Guardian and Trustee makes referrals to designated agencies where reports of abuse or neglect involve adults who may not be able to manage independently. The Public Guardian and Trustee investigates reports of financial abuse, and may provide financial management services for adults incapable of managing their own affairs. When a person dies and there is no named executor of the estate, or there is no one willing or able to administer the estate, the Public Guardian and Trustee may administer the es5tate. In certain circumstances, the Public Guartian and Trustee also has a role in protecting the legal and financial interests of children (under 19) and adults with mental disabilities. See www.trustee.bc.ca for more information

The BC Centre for Elder Advocacy and Support – 1 866 437-1940

Staff at the BC Centre for Elder Advocacy and Support provide assistance and support to older adults who are, or may be, abused and to those whose rights have been violated. Staff provide programs that educate, support and advocate on behalf of these victims. See www.bcceas.ca for more information.

HealthLink BC – call 811

Health Link BC provides internet and telephone access to health information and advice. See www.healthlinkbc.ca for more information.

B.C. Bereavement Helpline – 1-877-779-2223

Non-profit charitable organization dedicated to the healthy and wholesome recovery of individuals experience grief. See www.bcbereavementhelpline.com for more information.

BC211 – call 211 (if in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley or Squamish-Lillooet)

An easy to remember three-digit number that will connect callers to free information about community, social and government services. See www.bc211.ca for more information.


WEBSITES

  • Ending Violence Association of B.C. (EVA BC) – www.endingviolence.org
    Resource for community-based services that support survivors of sexual assault, relationship violence, child abuse and criminal harassment.
  • Police Victim Services Association of B.C. – www.policevictimservices.bc.ca
    A provincial organization of police-based victim services that is dedicated to ensuring those impacted by crmie and trauma are respected and supported.
  • B.C. Society of Transition Houses – www.bcsth.ca
    Provides support and training to Transition, Second and Third Stage Houses, Safe Homes, Children Who Witness Abuse programs and other programs in the Violence Against Women sector.
  • Regional Health Authority – www.health.gov.bc.ca/socsec
  • Community Living B.C. – www.communitylivingbc.ca
  • Police Victim Services of British Columbia – www.policevictimservices.bc.ca
  • Justice Education Society – www.justiceeducation.ca
  • Ending Violence Association of B.C. – www.endingviolence.org

See also the Directory of Victim Services and Violence Against Women Programs page on this website for a list of community agencies and counselling centres around B.C.