Programs for Survivors and Safe Spaces

Community and Brock shelters, programs and spaces where survivors of sexual violence can heal, relax, and take care of themselves. For more information, please contact svsec@brocku.ca 

Finding Calm After the Storm

Findong Calm After the storm: Art-Based Survivor Support Group Poster

An art-based support group run by the Gender and Sexual Violence Support and Education Coordinator. This 8-week closed group offers two-hour sessions focusing on self-care, regulation and support through artistic expression and psychoeducation for individuals who have had an experience with sexual violence (current, or past).

Dates: Mondays October 25-December 13

Time: 1:30pm – 3:30pm

Where: Online over MS Teams

If you are interested or would like to find out more information, please contact Aryan at svsec@brocku.ca 

Peer 2 Peer Support Drop-In Space

Gender and Sexual Violence Support and Education has a Peer 2 Peer Drop-In Space on and off campus. Our Peer Support Team is ready to listen, answer questions, and be there for whatever support you need. Our team is trained in receiving gender and sexual violence disclosures, Mental Health First Aid, and suicide prevention. Come if you need to talk, relax, get away from an unsafe space, or just heal. 

  • Join us online for our Drop-In Support Space. For more details, visit our Drop-In Web Page.
  • In-Person drop-in is closed for the 2020-2021 school year.
Peer 2 Peer Support

Community Shelters

Niagara Region Shelters

Gillian’s Place in St. Catharines offers support for women and children who have experienced abuse. They run a shelter for women with and without children, they provide free individual and group counselling, and a 24/7 support and information line.

  • 24/7 support line: 905-684-8331
  • Pour le support en Français: 1-877-336-2433
  • Website

Women’s Place of South Niagara offers support and services for women and children around the entire Niagara Region. This resource provides free shelters, counselling, education and advocacy. They also have 24/7 confidential call and text support lines.

  • For 24/7 support in Welland, Port Colborne, Wainfleet, Pelham and surrounding areas:
  • For 24/7 support in Niagara Falls, Fort Erie and surrounding areas:
  • Website

YWCA St. Catharines and Niagara both offer emergency homeless shelters for women and children. They run 365 days a year, 24/7. If you need support:

  • Niagara Falls
    • Call: 905-988-3528 x4025
    • Address: 6135 Culp St., Niagara Falls, Ontario, L2G 2B6
  • St. Catharines
    • Call: 905-988-3528 and dial 0
    • Address: 183 King St., St. Catharines, Ontario, L2R 3J5
  • Website

YWCA Niagara also offers a 365 day/year, 24/7 emergency men’s shelter for men and children. If you need support:

Abbey House provides safe transitional living for Indigenous women and children in Niagara. They also provide many resources for Indigenous women and children, such as cultural teachings, cultural sensitivity, talking circles, crisis intervention, peer counseling, and much more.

Hamilton Shelters

Hamilton’s Women’s Centre offers interval housing and shelters to women and children, a crisis line, education, counselling, legal advocacy services, and more. Please refer to the contact information below for details:

  • 24/7 crisis phone line: 905-387-8881
  • General phone line: 905-387-9959
  • Online contact form: Form
  • Website

The Native Women’s Centre provides safe, emergency shelter for all women regardless of age, ancestry, culture, place of origin or sexual orientation with or without children who are experiencing crisis in their lives due to family violence, homelessness, or conflict with the law.

  • 24/7 crisis line: 1-888-308-6559
  • General phone line: 905-664-1114
  • Website