Supports to help people experiencing gender-based violence

Provincial helplines

You can talk to someone right away who can help. Provincial helplines and referral services are free, confidential and available 24 hours a day no matter where you live in Ontario.

About gender-based violence

Gender-based violence is violence perpetrated based on someone’s gender and/or unequal power dynamics. It can include physical, economic, sexual and/or emotional/psychological abuse.   Women in Canada are three times more likely than men to experience gender-based violence.  According to Statistics Canada, self-reported data collected in 2018 shows that 44% of women reported experiencing some form of intimate partner violence in their lifetime (since the age of 15).

Emergency shelters and treatment centres

Programs, supports and resources

Learn about resources available to you, including:

Pathways to Safety

Ontario’s Strategy in Response to the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

Learn about our government-wide plan to address the root causes of violence.

Read Pathways to Safety: Ontario’s Strategy in Response to the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

Ontario-STANDS: Standing Together Against gender-based violence Now through Decisive actions, prevention, empowerment and Supports

In December 2023, Ontario released Ontario-Stands: Standing Together Against gender-based violence Now through Decisive actions, prevention, empowerment and Supports. The plan focuses on prevention, addressing the root causes of gender-based violence and supporting the longer-term needs of survivors, their children and families.

Read Ontario’s action plan

National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence

In November 2023, Ontario announced an agreement with the Government of Canada for $162 million over four years to support the implementation of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence. This is in addition to Ontario’s projected investment of  $1.4 billion during the life of the agreement in services that help address and prevent gender-based violence.

These investments will allow the Ontario government to strengthen its focus on prevention, collaboration, and integration across sectors to help address the root causes of gender-based violence and improve longer-term outcomes for survivors and their families.

Read about the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence

Do you need help with hiding your internet searches about gender-based violence supports?

The internet is a great resource for finding information that can help you make decisions about your personal situation. However, it’s important to understand that the record of your internet activities does not disappear when you close your browser. If you are concerned that someone may be monitoring you, it is helpful to know how to hide your Internet activities.

• If possible, visit websites from a place other than your home and use a mobile device or a computer that’s not your own, such as a public library, school, internet cafe or your workplace.
• If possible, use the privacy mode feature of your internet browser. This feature automatically prevents your browser from saving and storing your browser history.
• Delete cookies and clear your browser history (cache). Cookies are a way for websites to track their visitors and their actions. They do this by storing small bits of information on your computer. Sometimes this means that the site will “remember” you when you visit again. For example, if you enter your name when you go to a website, it may display your name when you visit again.

How to delete cookies from your computer if you are using:

• Chrome
• Microsoft Edge
• Safari
• Firefox

 Learn more about the types of browsing data you can delete

Related

• Provincial crisis lines
• Programs, services and supports for people experiencing gender-based violence
• Intimate partner violence
• Sexual violence
• Human Trafficking
• Violence in the family
• Violence Prevention and Economic Security Programs changes