Violence Against Women and Crisis Intervention

Assistance for Women Victim of Domestic Violence and Crisis Counselling

Women, especially immigrant women, refugee women and women of colour face specific challenges that create barriers which can make them more vulnerable to domestic abuse. Many women seek out our services to address the violence that they are experiencing in their lives. For some women, assistance comes in the form of disclosure and respect. The Rexdale Women's Centre provides one-on-one assistance to women who are experiencing domestic violence in the home or dealing with a crisis in their lives. Counsellors assist women to understand the cycle of abuse and help women to develop safety plans and strategies to live a life free of violence for themselves and their children.

Medical and Legal Referrals and Client Accompaniment

Women who are experiencing abuse in the home, find it difficult to obtain the services they need in order to cope with their situation. Rexdale Women's Centre's staff/ counsellors provide culturally and linguistically sensitive relevant services in guiding women to obtain medical and legal services. Our staff will accompany women as they attend these visits/appointments. Additionally, our staff will provide on-going support as women face the difficult task of navigating through the legal and court systems.

Support Groups for Women on Intimate Partner Violence

Support groups offer women a unique opportunity to gain Information, share experiences, to build confidence and to develop safety plans when dealing with abuse. Rexdale Women's Centre provides women with Information about their rights and how they can be supportive to other women who are experiencing intimate partner abuse. Support groups are designed to provide women with information and support related to intimate partner abuse. Counsellors assist participants to develop a safety plan and to make decision to leave an abusive relationship.

Anti-Human Trafficking of Vulnerable Women

Rexdale Women's Centre counsellors assist women with precarious immigration status in Canada to overcome their experiences in being trafficked. We assist vulnerable women with trauma, and provide culturally sensitive and linguistic services and support them to develop short and long term plans for their safety and well-being.

Healing Group

The Healing Group is an open group for women from all walks of life who have experienced abuse: childhood and intimate partner abuse, women coming from war-torn countries and women suffering from trauma and illness as a result of abuse. Participants learn the impacts and symptoms of trauma and explore ways to promote long-term emotional and physical wellness. We provide the participants with resources and skills to promote their empowerment for healing. Participants also learn coping skills to effectively manage feeling of anxiety, hopelessness, dissociation, and mental and emotional stresses.

The group is offered twice a year for fifteen sessions per group. Participants are supported to overcome trauma by taking part in arts and crafts activities, writing journals, poems, singing songs and aromatherapy. We cover topics such as self-care, anger management, safety planning, coping skills, light physical movement and exercise and meditation.

The Healing Group operates in a positive environment where the participants build trusting relationships and imagine new directions.