Community Organizations
Below, we have compiled a list of regional community organizations across Atlantic Canada. Please note that this is not a comprehensive list. If you know of, or are part of any community organizations that you think should be on our page, please email us at info@actionnowatlantic.ca
Nova Scotia
Avalon Sexual Assault Centre
“Using a feminist lens* to analyze and respond to sexualized violence/abuse and other forms of oppression, we offer a continuum of specialized services, with an emphasis on support, counselling, education, immediate medical care, forensic evaluation, leadership, and advocacy. Our services are available to those affected by all forms of sexualized violence/abuse, their families, the general public, and other support/service providers.”
Antigonish Women’s Resource Centre and Sexual Assault Services Association
“The Antigonish Women’s Centre & Sexual Assault Services is an independent, feminist, community-based organization. We are led by the experiences of diverse women, girls, Two-Spirit, trans and non-binary people towards an equitable and just society for all. While our work focuses on women, girls, Two-Spirit, trans and non-binary people and their families and communities, much of what we provide is for people of all genders.”
Adsum for Women and Children
“Adsum shelters and houses as many as 120 people each day and more than 300 persons in a year. Hundreds more use Adsum services and support without ever staying with us, often related to their basic needs for safe and affordable housing, food, clothing and connection.”
Abortion Support Services Atlantic
“We provide non-medical support to anyone seeking abortion care in the Atlantic provinces.
This may include emotional or peer support, offering rides, gas cards, arranging for a place to stay. We might coordinate with organizations to help you find funding, arrange and pay for flights. We do not perform clinical tasks, administer medication, or treat/diagnose symptoms. If anything is beyond our scope, we will refer you to a healthcare practitioner.”
Bryony House
”Bryony House is a 24-bed shelter. Each year, approximately 470 women and children stay with us and 2,500 distress calls are answered. Our dedicated counsellors are there to answer the 24-hour distress line, provide individual/group supportive counselling, public education, advocacy and referrals. An important part of our work is to break the cycle of abuse. Women who contact us come from many walks of life, socio-economic classes and cultural backgrounds. What they have in common is that they are in, or are fleeing, an abusive intimate relationship.”
Barry House
”Barry House is a shelter for women and their children who are experiencing homelessness. We offer support services from a client centred approach. Women are welcome to bring their domestic pets.”
Break the Silence
A Nova Scotian resource which provides education on sexual violence, details resources for those who are either looking to get help for themselves or for a friend, explains different types of support, and offers resources for awareness campaigns and training and prevention opportunities. These resources are able to be used and downloaded free of charge.
Chrysalis House
“Chrysalis House is a safe and non-judgmental environment providing shelter and outreach services for women and children. These services include support, advocacy, referrals, resources, public education and community development. We recognize that oppression exists in a multitude of forms and are proactive in empowering women to have hope and make their own choices to live free from violence and abuse.”
Cape Breton Transition House
“Serving the communities of Cape Breton and Victoria counties, Cape Breton Transition House offers a safe and supportive environment for those dealing with the physical, mental and emotional trauma caused by domestic and sexualized violence. Cape Breton Transition House provides services that are inclusive and sensitive to the needs of all women. This includes women from all cultural, economic, social, and religious back-grounds.”
Good2Talk Nova Scotia
Good2Talk provides support that is free, confidential, and available 24/7. Their services are available to all post-secondary students in Nova Scotia and you can access them by either calling or texting their support numbers. When you call or text, “you’ll be connected to a trained volunteer crisis responder to talk about any issues on your mind.”
Halifax Sexual Health Centre
“The mission of Halifax Sexual Health Centre is to improve and optimize the sexual health of all members of our community, by providing high quality and caring services, and empowering clients to make healthy choices. We welcome people of every race, ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ability, and income-level at our Centre.”
Independent Legal Advice for Sexual Assault Survivors
“Provides victims/survivors of sexual assault (16 years and older) with up to 4 hours of free independent legal advice. Open to anyone ages 16 years or older who has experienced a sexual assault in Nova Scotia”
LEA Place Women’s Resource Centre
“LEA Place serves women and adolescent girls on the eastern part of the Eastern Shore, and the Musquodoboit Valley.” Services include support counselling and crisis intervention, advocacy and accompaniment, information and referral, programs, outreach, community education, community development initiatives, and social advocacy.
The Lotus Centre
The Lotus Centre is committed to providing “services and supports in the best interest of clients by communicating, collaborating, and consulting with the clients themselves, other members of the community, and staff about client care,” and “working together with other agencies, partners, and stakeholders in order to achieve common goals and outcomes” that benefit the needs of Colchester County.
Men’s Health Centre
Operating in Antigonish, the Men’s Health Centre offers health care services for males 12 years and older. Their areas of service include physical health, mental and emotional health, sexual health, and resource navigation and referrals.
Men’s Helpline
“A free, confidential service for adult men, and individuals who identify as men, who have concerns about their well-being, safety, and/or the safety of others. Men can access a variety of supports and services specific to their needs, including information, navigation, referrals, and brief intervention counselling.”
ManTalk
“A professionally led support group for male-identified victims of sexual abuse and violence.
Men over the age of 19 who have been sexually abused and would like to talk to other men about their shared experience. The group is a welcoming and safe space for GBTIQ, African Nova Scotian, Aboriginal, and other men representing diverse communities”
Nova Scotia Women’s Choice Clinic
“The Nova Scotia Women's Choice Clinic is a surgical abortion and a medical abortion clinic based at the Victoria General site of the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax. There is a provincial self referral line for information about accessing medical and surgical abortions at the QEII and other locations across the province. Women can work with the referral line to learn more about accessing services closer to home.
Eskasoni Mental Health Services
“Our Mission is to provide high-quality mental health and addiction services, across the lifespan, that are culturally appropriate, community-based and community-led. We aim to achieve excellence in mental health and addiction service delivery by working as individuals, as a team, and as a community to create healthy people and a healthy community.”
Naomi Society
“The Naomi Society is a broad based community organization that preserves and promotes the safety, dignity and human rights through direct services to women and their children who are victims of family violence. The society advocates for and provides community action programs for all individuals who are affected by family violence. This is done with an approach that is sensitive to social, economic and cultural diversity.”
Pictou County Women’s Centre
“We support the struggles of all women to live in loving, non-exploitative relationships free from violence. We believe in freedom of choice in regard to health care, education, occupation, spirituality, reproduction and sexual orientation. We are a collective, dedicated to the empowerment and support of women, and to a process which embodies our beliefs.”
South House
“The South House (SoHo) is Halifax’s only full time gender justice centre. We are a volunteer driven, student funded, gender inclusive safe space for ALL members of our community. We are a trans-and queer-positive space and are proud to offer a wheelchair accessible space. We offer a resource centre, library, and free meeting space for woman-positive and anti-oppression organizing and gathering. “
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)
“Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) are registered nurses who have completed specialized education and clinical preparation in medical forensic care for patients who have experienced sexual assault or abuse. Delivered through contracted service providers, on-call SANE nurses provide immediate care within seven days of a sexual assault to people who would like supportive care, including medical attention, information about resources, as well as the option to have forensic evidence collected.”
Transition House Association of Nova Scotia
“We offer a range of services and supports to women and their families experiencing violence:
Access to free 24/7 communal shelter and basic necessities
Crisis lines
Advocacy and court accompaniment
Counseling and outreach services”
Tri-County Women’s Centre
“We strive to be as accessible, reaching women and girls throughout the Tri-Counties by offering programs and services, satellite offices, a toll free number and a primary location in Yarmouth. By providing the tools to intervene in crisis situations that women and girls face, we are able to relieve poverty and other barriers in their lives: we are here to offer women and girls our assistance as they move forward in achieving their educational, work, and life goals.”
Women’s Place Resource Centre
“Welcome to the Women's Place Resource Centre based in Middleton, Nova Scotia. Our mission is: to advance and advocate for the well-being, economic status, equity, and equality of all who identify as women in the Kings and Annapolis Counties. We support women by collaborating with community partners, advocating for policy change, and providing a safe space for women to access programming and support services.”
New Brunswick
The Beauséjour Family Crisis Resource Centre
“We are a counselling and support centre open to all individuals experiencing a crisis, mental health issue, or difficult life circumstance, as well as for victims of family violence and their children. The Beauséjour Family Crisis Resource Centre provides crisis intervention, support, and counselling to youth, adults and seniors in crisis.”
Boreal Child and Youth Expertise Centre
“After a sexual assault is reported, the victim and parent come to the Boreal Centre to receive the services they need. Children immediately receive medical, legal and psychological services on-site. Social workers guide the family through the legal process and the victim quickly receives specialized therapeutic services. The parent receives the necessary assistance and advice to support the family.”
Chrysalis House
“Youth in Transition’s Chrysalis House, addresses the needs of these at-risk and/or homeless youth by offering a supportive living arrangement while combining a program aimed at increasing their self-esteem and independent living skills. Our residence is a place where personal safety and accessibility to education, employment, and health care are met within a nurturing home-like environment.”
Crossroads for Women
“Since 1981 Crossroads for Women has been empowering and assisting survivors of violence by providing education, resources, emergency shelter, one on one support, and crisis intervention 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for South Eastern New Brunswick. Crossroads for Women is the only domestic violence and sexual assault shelter in South-Eastern New Brunswick.”
Domestic Violence Outreach Program
“Improves women’s access to community services and service providers, provides help and information to women in need as well as increase awareness of the issue of domestic violence in the community. The program is an important resource for family violence services, and guides victims to the services they need. The goal is to ensure women living in or leaving abusive relationships have access to someone who can respond to their crisis and support them. There are 14 domestic violence outreach workers funded by the New Brunswick government across the province.”
Éclipse Sexual Violence Support Centre
“Provides intervention services that meet the needs of victims;
Collaborates with services referred to victims;
Offers information workshops and awareness, education, and prevention programs.”
Gignoo Transition House
“Gignoo Transition House Inc. has been empowering and protecting Indigenous women and children in New Brunswick since 1993. Gignoo means “our home” in the Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqey languages. Gignoo Transition House Inc. is the sole, non-profit Indigenous women’s shelter in the province of New Brunswick serving Mi’kmaq, Wolastoqiyik, Passamaquoddy and other Indigenous women and children. At Gignoo, vulnerable and at-risk families are supported every day to help end the trauma in our communities. Guided by Indigenous knowledge, programs and services are offered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”
Hestia House
“For 40 Years, Hestia House has been a secure-safe setting for abused women and their children.
Hestia House provides shelter and support for up to 24 women and their children. We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with full-time and part-time staff available to help you.
We have a 24-hour distress line that you can call for support or to discuss your safety options.”
Kit’s Place
“Kit’s Place is a community-based centre providing services to sexual assault victims and their families. Using a client-centred approach in a child-friendly, safe environment, Kit’s Place is designed to be a one-stop service model, which means families can access all the services they need in one place. This ensures collaborative, coordinated help for victims and their families, and minimizes the trauma by limiting the number of interviews with the victim.”
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)
“Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) are registered nurses who have completed specialized education and clinical preparation in medical forensic care for patients who have experienced sexual assault or abuse. Delivered through contracted service providers, on-call SANE nurses provide immediate care within seven days of a sexual assault to people who would like supportive care, including medical attention, information about resources, as well as the option to have forensic evidence collected.”
Sexual Violence New Brunswick
“As the only sexual assault centre of its kind in New Brunswick, Sexual Violence New Brunswick works provincially to help other New Brunswick communities to enhance and establish sexual assault services. Based on a vision of collaboration, resource sharing, survivor-centered solutions and community-based approaches, our staff work with established net-works and community partners to enhance, expand, create, and coordinate community based sexual assault services in New Brunswick.”
South East Sexual Assault Centre
“Here at South East Sexual Assault Centre (SESAC), we’re committed to providing support, information and services to individuals impacted by sexual violence. Since 2017, we’ve been supporting our community members in a variety of ways:
Offer intervention services to support and accompany victims and survivors of sexual assault;
Raise awareness and educate members of the community on sexual violence prevention;
Defend women’s equality rights so that everyone can live in a violence free society.”
Newfoundland & Labrador
The Journey Project
“The Journey Project supports individuals who have experienced sexual violence in navigating their experience with any legal system. The Journey Project is a collaboration between PLIAN and NLSACPC that exists to strengthen justice supports for survivors of sexual violence in Newfoundland and Labrador. This project is for any individual in NL who has experienced sexual violence and is 16 or older and living in NL or experienced sexual violence in NL but is living elsewhere and is wondering about their legal options.”
Multicultural Women’s Organization of Newfoundland & Labrador
“The organization delivers programs and services to immigrant and newcomer women and their families in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It takes into consideration their social, economic and cultural equality and allows them to fully participate. Our organization focuses on the unique concerns and needs of newcomer, immigrant and refugee women and their families, and recognizes and responds accordingly.”
Newfoundland and Labrador Coalition Against Human Trafficking
“Currently, the primary objective of the Coalition is to raise awareness of Human Trafficking in the community and create a network of contacts so that victims of Human Trafficking can be identified and supported… Members of the Coalition are available to provide training support and services to both the federal and provincial police departments and non-governmental agencies, as well as to the community at large.”
Newfoundland and Labrador Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Centre
“We are a non-profit, community-based, charitable organization that exists to support individuals of all genders who have been impacted by sexual violence. We operate from a feminist, pro-choice, trauma-informed, person-centered perspective where individuals with lived experienced are honoured for their unique strengths, needs, skills, and abilities.”
Planned Parenthood
“Planned Parenthood NLSHC is a non-profit charitable organization that promotes positive sexual health and 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion through education, community partnership, information and services within an environment that supports and respects individual choice. Our services are available to anyone regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, socioeconomic status, physical or mental ability, sexual orientation, religion, religious creed, national or social origin, martial status, family status and political opinion.”
Public Legal Information Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
“The Public Legal Information Association of Newfoundland & Labrador (PLIAN) is an independent non-profit organization and registered charity dedicated to educating Newfoundlanders and Labradorians about the law, with the intent of increasing and improving access to justice. We are the designated public legal education and information provider for Newfoundland and Labrador and are also a member of the Public Legal Education Association of Canada (PLEAC).”
Stella’s Circle
“We provide services to adults who face many barriers to fully participating in their community. These barriers include mental health challenges, addictions, trauma, poverty, homelessness, criminal justice involvement, low literacy, and long periods of unemployment.”
Transition House Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
“ In 1987, the Provincial Association Against Family Violence (PAAFV) was established. We are now called the Transition House Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (THANL). Our members include all provincially funded shelters in the province.
The term ‘shelter’ includes transitions houses and safe houses.”
Prince Edward Island
Anderson House
“Anderson House is a provincial emergency shelter for women, trans, and non-binary individuals, and their children, who are in need of safety because of violence in their lives. Located in Charlottetown, Anderson House services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and include emergency shelter, safety planning, advocacy, childcare services, drop-in support, follow-up support, referrals to outreach services and second stage housing, and information pertaining to resources such as lawyers, housing, stay away orders, transportation, childcare and pet care, to name a few.”
Blooming House Women’s Shelter Inc.
“Blooming House Women’s Shelter Inc. is a registered charity, nonprofit organization whose primary goal is to provide safe overnight shelter for women in the Charlottetown area. This shelter serves as a low-barrier, harm-reduction, safe space. We are open 4PM-8AM and you can contact us at 902-213-9969. We are open 7 nights a week.”
Chief Mary Bernard Memorial Women’s Shelter
“The service at the Women’s Shelter is for women who are victims of Family Violence, or women who are homeless; and their children.
We provide transportation for residents (if it is safe to do so).
Providing a safe and comfortable environment for women and children is staff priority. There are 6 full time staff at the women’s shelter, as well as a list of casuals.
There are 5 bedrooms at the Women’s Shelter, a common area, 2 bathrooms, laundry facilities, children’s playroom, and a meeting room.”
PEI Rape and Sexual Assault Centre
“We are a non-profit, government funded organization that provides services to individuals of all genders (over age 16) who have experienced recent or historic sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse. We offer counselling support and innovative healing programs from our many locations across the island including Charlottetown, Summerside, Alberton.”
RISE PEI
“We provide free legal resources and support to people who have experienced sexual violence or workplace sexual harassment. We support anyone who has experienced sexual violence or workplace sexual harassment on Prince Edward Island who is 16 years of age or older. With your consent, we can also speak to your loved ones or bystanders who want to help support you.”
Victim Services
“Victim Services assists victims of crime throughout their involvement in the criminal justice system. Assistance is available to victims of crime anywhere on Prince Edward Island. If you live off-Island and are victimized by a crime that occurred on PEI, you are also eligible for services. No fees are charged for this confidential service.”