Ontario's Crisis Helplines for Domestic Violence: Who to Call for Immediate Support

If you’re experiencing domestic violence, help is available 24/7. This guide lists trusted Ontario helplines you can call right now—for support, safety planning, or emergency shelter.

Ontario's Crisis Helplines for Domestic Violence: Who to Call for Immediate Support

☎️ Ontario's Crisis Helplines for Domestic Violence: Who to Call for Immediate Support

If you are living in fear or experiencing abuse, you are not alone—and you don’t have to wait for a crisis to reach out. Ontario offers free, 24/7 helplines that can help you stay safe, find shelter, or just talk through your options.

Here are the most trusted crisis lines and what each one offers.


📞 1. Assaulted Women’s Helpline (AWHL)

  • Phone: 1-866-863-0511
  • TTY: 1-866-863-7868
  • Text: #SAFE (#7233) on Rogers, Bell, or Telus
  • Live Chat: awhl.org
  • Languages: 200+ through interpreters
  • Available: 24/7 across Ontario
  • What they offer:
    • Emotional support
    • Safety planning
    • Shelter referrals
    • Information on legal and housing resources

📞 2. Talk4Healing (For Indigenous Women)

  • Phone: 1-855-554-HEAL (4325)
  • Website: talk4healing.com
  • Languages: 14 Indigenous languages, including Ojibway, Cree, and Oji-Cree
  • Available: 24/7 for Indigenous women across Ontario
  • What they offer:
    • Culturally grounded support
    • Safety planning
    • Connection to elders and healing circles
    • Referrals to Indigenous shelters and services

📞 3. Fem’aide (For Francophone Women)

  • Phone: 1-877-336-2433
  • TTY: 1-866-860-7082
  • Website: femaide.ca
  • Languages: French and English
  • Available: 24/7 in Ontario
  • What they offer:
    • Crisis support
    • Shelter access
    • Francophone counselling referrals
    • Information on legal and social services

📞 4. 211 Ontario

  • Phone: Dial 2-1-1
  • Website: 211ontario.ca
  • Languages: 150+
  • Available: 24/7 across Ontario
  • What they offer:
    • Referrals to local domestic violence shelters
    • Emergency housing and financial assistance
    • Mental health and parenting supports
    • Legal aid connections

📞 5. Kids Help Phone (For Youth & Teens)

  • Phone: 1-800-668-6868
  • Text: Text “CONNECT” to 686868
  • Website: kidshelpphone.ca
  • Available: 24/7 across Canada
  • What they offer:
    • Support for youth in unsafe homes
    • Help navigating abuse, bullying, or fear
    • Mental health resources
    • Anonymous and non-judgmental listening

🚨 In Immediate Danger?

  • Call 911 if you or someone else is in immediate physical danger
  • You can ask for police to meet you at a public place or shelter
  • If you can’t speak, stay on the line—they will trace the call
  • Use the phrase: “I need help with domestic violence” if you're afraid to explain

📌 Summary: Crisis Helplines for DV in Ontario

  • ✅ Call 1-866-863-0511 for confidential DV support 24/7
  • ✅ Indigenous, Francophone, and youth-specific lines are available
  • ✅ No need to prove abuse—just reach out and talk
  • ✅ Helplines can help with safety plans, shelter, legal aid, and emotional support
  • ✅ You are never alone, and you don’t need to face this in silence

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