The following numbers, shelters, and programs listed cover the GTA only. GTA residents can also reference Crisis Resources Ontario, Crisis Resources Canada, or Ressources en cas de crises ou d’urgences for more resources.
This page was last updated on August 4th 2020.
24 Hour Services
Calling the police can have minor to serious consequences for many community members. IBPOC communities are disproportionately harmed by emergency services (police, fire, ambulance) accessed via 911. Below are some alternative emergency services that can provide assistance if you or someone you know needs urgent support:
Hope For Wellness Health Line
Counselling and crisis intervention line for Indigenous people in Canada. Available in English, French, Ojibwe, Cree & Inuktitut.
1-855-242-3310
Assaulted Women’s Helpline
Supports women in violent situations, in multiple languages
416-863-0511
1-866-863-0511
1-866-863-7868 (TTY)
Toronto Rape Crisis Centre
416-597-8808
647-424-1134
416-597-1214 (TTY)
Distress Centres of Greater Toronto
Crisis Line: 416-408-4357
SMS (text): 741741
416-408-0007 (TTY)
Nellie’s - Women and Children
Crisis line: 416-461-1084
YWCA Women’s Shelter – Women and Children
The Redwood
Crisis Line: 416-533-8538
TTY: 416-533-3736
Text: 647-370-8300
Support for Male Survivors of Childhood Abuse
A multilingual support line
1-866-887-0015
Gerstein Distress Centre
Free and anonymous mental health helpline: 416-929-5200
They also operate a mobile crisis unit and a limited number of residential crisis beds
York Support Services Network
Immediate crisis response provided by crisis worker via text/phone. Providers developmental disability support services information, child/family support, and also has a mobile crisis team.
Crisis Line: 1-855-310-2673
TTY: 1-866-323-7785
Non-24 Hour Support Lines
TransLifeline
A free and anonymous peer support line by and for trans people
Available 10am to 4am EST every day of the week
1-877-330-6366
LGBT Youth Line
Operates Sunday-Friday 4:00-9:30pm
Text: 647-694-4275
CAMH Access CAMH services
Call: 416-535-8501 (press 2)
24 Hour Clinics
Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Care Centre (SA/DVCC)
Located at Women’s College Hospital (Ground Floor Room 1305, 76 Grenville St, Toronto).
Available 24/7, no appointment necessary.
Toronto Immediate Help Resource List (by Toronto Rape Crisis Centre/Multicultural Women Against Rape )
Lists hospitals that administer rape kits and shelters in Toronto.
TRCC MWAR Crisis Line: 416-597-8808
Shelters / Drop Ins
Anduhyaun Shelter
Provides emergency shelter to women fleeing violence with or without children. Substance-free, culturally safe, and inclusive environment. Provides individual, sexual assault, and crisis counseling as well as workshops, support services, and cultural ceremonies/Elders.
Call: 416-920-1492 ext. 221
Youth Without Shelter (for folks ages 16-24)
If you are a youth in need of emergency shelter, call for immediate help.
Call: 416-748-0110 (press 0)
Central Family Intake Line (24 Hours)
Centralized hostel access system for homeless individuals and families requiring emergency shelter.
416-397-5637
1-877-338-3398
Nellie’s - Women and Children
Crisis line: 416-461-1084
YWCA Women’s Shelter – Women and Children
24-Hour line: 416-929-3316
St. Vincent de Paul Mary’s Home – for women over 16 years old
Main Number: 416 595 1578
The Redwood - for women and children
Crisis Line: 416-533-8538
TTY: 416-533-3736
Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter - for women and children
Crisis: 416-746-3701
TTY: 416-746-3716
Interval House
Provides residency programs for women and children including shelter life and counseling.
Crisis line: 416-924-1491
Street Haven - emergency shelter, supportive housing, and learning centre
Emergency Shelter: 416-967-6060 ext. 224
Toll-Free: 1-844-967-6060
Sistering - 24/7 Hour Drop-In Services at Bloor x Ossington
Women’s Habitat – for women with or without children located in the South Etobicoke Area
Crisis Line: 416-252-5829
TTY: 416-252-0361
North York Women’s Shelter – for women and children located in the North York Area
Crisis Line: 416-635-9630
Gerstein Distress Centre
Free and anonymous 24h mental health helpline: 416-929-5200.
They also operate a mobile crisis unit and a limited number of residential crisis beds.
Resource Centres and Programs (Toronto Based)
Anishnawbe Health Toronto
AHT offers access to health care practitioners from many disciplines including Traditional Healers, Elders, and Medicine People. Ancient ceremonies and traditions, intrinsic to our health care model are available. Our work with the homeless has evolved from early directions of crisis intervention to our current efforts of working with those who seek to escape homelessness. Training programs offer community members the opportunity to learn and grow in a culture-based setting.
Salaam Toronto
An online and drop-in centre dedicated to LGBTQ+ youth in the Muslim community. Completely volunteer-run and provide countless resources for Muslim youth in the GTA to find supportive and safe communities and mental/physical health resources.
Call: 416-904-9721
Dr. Roz’s Healing Place: A Centre for Empowerment and Healing - provides several programs to help survivors of domestic violence move through their trauma and pain towards the path to healing
South Asian Women’s Centre (SAWC) - SAWC’s Violence Against Women Program provides culturally sensitive counselling, information and referral in a variety of languages
Native Women’s Resource Centre of Toronto - a community-based organization dedicated to providing resources and support to urban Indigenous women and their families
Sexual Education Centre - University of Toronto
University of Toronto Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre
York University Glendon Women and Trans Centre
York University Centre for Women and Trans People
George Brown Community Care Centre
George Brown Office of Anti-Racism, Equity, and Human Rights Service (OAREHRS)
Brock University Gender and Sexual Violence Support and Education
289-990-7233 A Safer Brock — sexual violence texting support line (24 hour)
Women's College Hospital Sexual Assault/ Domestic Violence Care Centre
Legal Support
Barbra Schilfer Commemorative Clinic
Legal help in family, immigration, criminal and sexual assault law
Intake Line: 416-323-9149 x 234
Independent Legal Advice for Survivors of Sexual Assault - for residents of Toronto, Ottawa and Thunder Bay; a pilot program for survivors of sexual assault to receive up to 4 hours of legal advice from one or more lawyers by phone or in person. Assault must have taken place in Ontario to be eligible. Must be 16 years of age or older.
Apps
Safe TTC App Android Safe TTC App IOS (Free)
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