If someone is experiencing domestic violence, knowing what to do or where to start can feel very overwhelming. Most people aren’t sure who to call, what kind of support exists for them, or if they need to be ready to leave before reaching out. In British Columbia, there are many community resources available to help support people who are dealing with abuse, trying to understand their options, or thinking about leaving.
This guide is created to help explain the first steps to accessing domestic violence support in British Columbia.
If You Are in Immediate Danger
Call 911 immediately if you are in danger.
If you are looking for practical and confidential first steps, visit VictimLinkBC
This is a province wide service that offers 24/7 crisis assistance, confidential support, safety planning, or referrals to local programs throughout BC.
You can also call or text 1-800-563-0808 or send an email to 211-VictimLinkBC@uwbc.ca
Find Local Domestic Violence Services
A great next step is using the B.C Victim Services Directory
This directory will help you find nearby services based on communities or cities.
Local programs can offer:
– Transition house referrals.
– Victim support services.
– Children’s support services.
– Domestic violence outreach.
– Safety planning.
– Counselling referrals.
Even if you are not ready to leave yet, local support programs can be a great aid in helping you better understand your options.
You Don’t Need to Have Everything Figured Out
A common misconception is that you need to know exactly what you want or need before asking for help.
You don’t need to have a full plan yet. You don’t need to know if you want to report the abuse or not. You don’t need to have left the relationship already to ask for help.
Many people reach out because they want to know what support options are out there for them. Accessing domestic violence support in British Columbia often starts with a conversation. A local service worker, crisis line, domestic violence outreach program, can all help you to better understand your options and connect you with practical support based on your needs.
If you are or have experienced domestic violence and aren’t sure where to start, reaching out for help is a great first step.
At Roses Life Women Center, we support women who are facing abuse, navigating hard relationships, or just trying to understand their options. Whether you are needing someone to talk to, guidance on next steps, assistance on finding community resources, our team is here to help you.
Visit our website to learn more about our services or contact us for confidential support.
