Additional Support Resources

1in6 offers a wide range of information and services for men with histories of unwanted or abusive sexual experiences, and anyone who cares about them.

If you are feeling like you have lost hope and are struggling to cope, if you are dealing with thoughts of suicide, or if you are worried about someone else, 9-8-8 is here for you. When you reach out, a trained responder will listen without judgement, provide support and understanding, and can tell you about resources that will help.

A safety plan is a practical guide that helps lower your risk of being hurt by your abusive partner. It includes information specific to you and your life that will help keep you safe. A good safety plan helps you think through lifestyle changes that will help keep you as safe as possible on campus, in the dorms and other places that you go on a daily basis.

The Abortion Access Tracker illustrates the legal landscape of abortion in Canada and the reality of accessing abortion care across the country.

This workbook provides a checklist for individuals who have been subjected to GBV and are seeking support from their campus health centres. It can be used by the patient/client, and anyone who may be advocating for or supporting them to access care.

Information about sexual and reproductive health, including pregnancy options, and for referrals to clinics and hospitals that provide reproductive health services anywhere in Canada.

The Affirmations Deck was created by a group of queer and trans* youth involved with Planned Parenthood Toronto’s Filling in the Blanks: Queering SexEd project! Each card features a statement to help youth feel seen, valued, and supported. The cards touch on A BUNCH of topics, including bodies, consent, gender, identity, healing/recovery, self-love, relationships, and more.

The Assaulted Women's Helpline offers a 24-hour telephone and TTY crisis line to all women who have experienced abuse. They provide counselling, emotional support, information and referrals. They recognize abuse as one example of women's social, political and economic inequality in the world.

Barrett Centre for Crisis Support provides a safe environment in the community for individuals who are experiencing a mental health and/or substance use crisis and who do not require a hospital stay.

Be Safe is an evidence-informed app that helps you create a safety plan, find local resources for support, and be prepared if you find yourself in a crisis.

Black Femme Legal is a Black femme led organization offering a workplace toolkit in support of Black queer and trans women, femmes and gender expansive folks across the 2SLGBTQI+ community in Ontario.

The BSSC is dedicated to supporting and championing the holistic (academic, personal and professional) success and overall well-being of Black/African descent students and fostering a positive Black student and athlete experience. The Centre is a safe space where students can meet, share, socialize and access specialized support and services.

Body Brave is a charity providing accessible eating disorder treatment and support, as well as advancing community training and education, offering online, self-guided support programming for ages 14+ across Canada, as well as group treatment services for ages 17+.

Campus Safety Services is responsible for the protection of persons and property within the McMaster community.

The Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline is a confidential, multilingual service, operating 24/7 to connect victims and survivors with social services, law enforcement, and emergency services, as well as receive tips from the public.

Abuse-Free Sport is an independent program that is part of a growing national movement to rid Canadian sport of all forms of harassment, discrimination and abuse. The Canadian Sport Helpline is a free, anonymous, confidential and independent service in both official languages.

La mission du programme contre la violence faite aux femmes et les agressions à caractère sexuel au Centre de Santé Communautaire Hamilton/Niagara, offert à toute femme francophone âgée de 16 ans et plus, est de promouvoir son bien-être sans égard à sa race, son origine, sa culture, sa religion, son orientation sexuelle, son âge, son statut socio-économique ou ses limitations fonctionnelles.

The Chaplaincy Centre helps students, faculty and staff with issues affected by academic, relational, spiritual and practical concerns. The personal support they seek to offer also can lead to a wide variety of programs ranging from prayer to social justice, community connections to self-care of mind, body and spirit, peace-making to awareness-raising.

All students are responsible for respecting the rights of others, contributing to an environment that is free of Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Violence, and for conducting themselves in a manner that contributes positively to the University and the University Community.

Canada's national tipline for reporting the online sexual exploitation of children.

The purpose of this Policy is to: articulate McMaster University's commitment to Discrimination and Harassment prevention and response; identify services and resources related to Discrimination and Harassment that are available to all members of the McMaster University Community (“University Community”); and explain the complaint and reporting options, supports, and accommodations that are available to all members of the University Community who experience Discrimination and/or Harassment.

Domestic or sexual violence leave is a job-protected leave of absence. Employees who have been employed by their employer for at least 13 consecutive weeks are entitled to domestic or sexual violence leave if the employee or the employee’s child has experienced or been threatened with domestic or sexual violence

EAPO is the provincial organization recognized for its leadership in elder abuse prevention in the province, providing education, training, resource development and information about the increasingly complex issues of elder abuse.

Emergency financial support through the Office of the Registrar.

Committed to building and maintaining mature, constructive relationships with all employees including equity deserving groups and the bargaining agents that represent them. These relationships will provide the employment environment necessary for the University to achieve its vision of Impact, Ambition and Transformation through Excellence, Inclusion and Community: Advancing Human and Societal Health and Well-being.

Telus Health, McMaster’s provider of its Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) provides easier access to mental, physical, social and financial wellbeing supports than ever before. Telus Health is Canada’s most expansive clinical network: those who need support or resources can access them through phone, in-person visits, video, an online chat feature and self-guided learning.

EHS is available to assist staff and faculty maximize the relationship between their job and their health. EHS provides: early and safe return to work, occupational health, Employee Family Assistance Program inquiries, medical leave, medical accommodation, occupational injury or exposure (WSIB), and medical surveillance/monitoring

Have you left an abusive relationship? Or are you thinking of leaving an abusive relationship? Have you hired a lawyer to represent you in family court? Or are you thinking about hiring a lawyer to represent you in family court? Are you unsure of what exactly they’re supposed to do? Luke's Place has a resource for you!

Fem’aide offre aux femmes d’expression française aux prises avec la violence sexiste, du soutien, des renseignements et de l’aiguillage vers les services appropriés dans leur collectivité 24 heures par jour, sept jours par semaine. Fem’aide peut également répondre aux demandes de renseignements faites par les proches des femmes victimes de violence.

Ganohkwásra provides shelter, counselling, and other support for women, men, youth, children, seeking safety from violence.

Good2Talk provides confidential support services for post-secondary students in Ontario. Post-secondary students residing and studying in Ontario can access Good2Talk’s free, private phone counselling service in Mandarin.

Hamilton Community Legal Clinic is a community based not for profit agency whose diverse team of caring professionals and volunteers provides legal services to low-income individuals and communities to promote access to justice and to improve quality of life through: summary advice and referral, representation, community development, law reform and public legal education.

The Victims of Crime Unit supports investigations of child abuse, crimes against seniors, domestic violence or sexual assault. Victims of Crime and their families have access to a wide range of supports, including counselling, financial assistance and other services, through Hamilton Police Victim Services Branch.

The City provides Sexual Health Clinics for access to birth control, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and access to free condoms.

A non-profit coalition of health care providers, advocates, and community members working to increase the capacity of health systems in Hamilton, Ontario to meet the needs of trans, gender-diverse, and non-binary people.

The Hope for Wellness Helpline is available to all Indigenous people across Canada. Experienced and culturally competent counsellors are reachable by telephone and online ‘chat’ 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

HRDR provides consultation on issues related to human rights; acts as an Intake Office for formal complaints of discrimination, harassment or sexual violence; oversees and investigates formal complaints lodged under the University’s Discrimination & Harassment Policy and/or the Sexual Violence Policy; when requested, facilitates resolution of concerns and complaints using alternate dispute resolution practices.

The HRLSC?can help you if you need legal advice or assistance with respect to a matter covered by the Ontario Human Rights?Code, including sexual harassment.

Backed by years of research and testing, the free, private and secure iHEAL app helps Canadian women who have experienced abuse from a current or past partner to find personalized ways to stay safe and be well.

The IRSSS is a provincial organization providing essential services to residential school survivors/students, their families and loved ones, and Indigenous people experiencing intergenerational trauma.

ISS provides and connects Indigenous learners to the supports they need to achieve their academic goals.

International Student Services provides additional services and programs for international undergraduate, graduate, visiting and exchange students at McMaster University.

Interval House of Hamilton provides emergency shelter, safety planning and support services for women with or without children that have experienced abuse or violence.

Youth Line offers confidential and non-judgmental peer support through text and chat services.

MaleSurvivor is committed to preventing, healing, and eliminating all forms of sexual victimization of boys and men through support, treatment, research, education, advocacy, and activism.

Maccess is a peer support, advocacy and community centre for students who experience disability, chronic illness, mental health concerns, or inaccessibility.

The PCC provides a contact point for McMaster students that may identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or any of the other diverse identities that make up the community.

SHEC is a peer-run health advocacy, information and resource connection service for students. SHEC employs a broad definition of the term health, recognizing that well-being looks and feels different to each person.

SWHAT is a volunteer service that will walk or bus with users during the evening hours, 7 days a week. No matter the weather, their walkers can walk with you to your destination while providing safety and company.

WGEN is a peer support-driven service that caters to women, trans folk, people who identify outside the gender binary, gender non-conforming folk and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence from all gender identities.

NEDIC provides information, resources, referrals and support to anyone in Canada affected by an eating disorder, including phone and eChat support.

The NESS Fund provides women, gender-diverse people and their families with financial support to leave unsafe homes or emergency shelters/precarious housing situations and begin their healing journeys.

The Native Women's Centre provides safe shelter for all women regardless of age, ancestry, culture, place of origin or sexual orientation with or without children who are experiencing crisis in their lives due to family violence, homelessness, or conflict with the law.

The NO MORE Global Directory is a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive international directory of domestic and sexual violence helplines, specialist support services, and resources for all genders.

ORCCA functions as a community resource for all Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) members to educate, promote, support and address respectful conduct and behaviour across academic and clinical environments.

Ombuds provides an independent, impartial and confidential process through which members of the University may pursue the just, fair, and equitable resolution of any student-related issue.

The Ontario Association of Interval & Transition Houses is a coalition of first stage emergency women's shelters, second stage housing organizations and community-based women organizations who work towards ending violence against all women.

Get free counselling and information on sexual violence from a sexual assault centre in Ontario.

Victims of sexual assault living in Ontario may be eligible for up to four hours of free, confidential legal advice by phone or video. This does not include legal representation in court.

A network of 37 locations across Ontario serving survivors of sexual, domestic and dating violence.

The Victim/Witness Assistance Program is here to help victims and witnesses of violent crimes who may need to go to court. They will talk to you and provide assistance based on your specific case and needs.

OWJN tries to help survivors of violence and their supporters better understand legal rights in Ontario. They do not give legal advice. The website offers accessible legal information in a way that reflects the diverse experiences and realities of women.

A diverse and consensus-based community for McMaster students where they value, respect, and learn from each other, creating forums to discuss life, spiritual and societal issues.

PACBIC aims to identify and anticipate issues affecting equity-seeking communities both within the University and relevant to those seeking access to the University, and to advise the President on such issues.

Private Matters Psychotherapy provides Individual and Group Counselling for Full-time MBA, Full-time Co-op, and Full-time Accelerated students

QJP is designed to address unmet legal needs of the LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit [‘queer’] communities in Hamilton. It serves as a resource for education, system navigation, and access to justice for queer people.

Rainbow Health Ontario creates opportunities for the healthcare system to better serve LGBT2SQ communities including a directory of competent and welcoming health and social service providers.

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the USA's largest anti-sexual violence organization.

The RAINN app gives survivors of sexual violence and their loved ones access to support, self-care tools, and information to help manage the short- and long-term effects of sexual violence.

Right To Be's storytelling platform is a safe space where you can share your harassment story, get support, and help others experiencing harassment.

Safe Passage is a community-driven, trauma-informed, and survivor centered initiative created by the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) that tracks cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, transgender, gender-diverse, and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S+), monitors ongoing safety concerns, provides distinctions-based safety resources, educates the public and media about the MMIWG2S+ genocide, and commemorates and honours our stolen loved ones.

The Seniors Safety Line (SSL) is the only 24-hour crisis and support line for seniors in Ontario who have experienced any type of abuse or neglect. Callers receive emotional support, safety planning, information and referrals in over 200 languages.

The Sex Workers’ Action Program of Hamilton is a non-partisan group consisting of concerned individuals—including those with lived experience—agencies and groups committed to assisting and supporting those working in the sex trade industry.

SACHA pro­vides sup­ports to peo­ple of all genders, age 16 and up, who have expe­ri­enced sex­u­al­ized vio­lence at any point in their lives. Support services include counselling, sex-trafficking survivor counselling, 24-hour support line, and diverse communities outreach.

The SA/DV Care Centre provides compassionate, confidential health care for children, adolescents, women, transgender persons, and men who have experienced sexual assault and/or domestic violence within the last 12 days.

SHARE is a service that supports all workers in Ontario with experiences of workplace sexual harassment, workplace-related sexual assault, and gender-based harassment in the workplace. They provide free, confidential legal advice to workers about all legal and non-legal options to address their experience. Services are available to all workers regardless of age, immigration status, or income.

SHILO is a free, anonymous and inclusive eChat and phone service for Ontario residents. This service is staffed by counsellors who provide information, support and referrals in English, French and other languages on sexual health topics.

From healthy relationships to healthy behaviours and attitudes, understanding your sexual health is an important part of your overall well-being.

The purpose of this Policy is to: articulate McMaster University's commitment to Sexual Violence prevention and response; identify services and resources related to Sexual Violence that are available to all members of the McMaster University Community (“University Community”); and explain the complaint and reporting options, supports, and accommodations that are available to all members of the University Community who experience Sexual Violence.

ShelterSafe.ca is an online resource for women and their children seeking safety from violence and abuse. The clickable map serves as a quick resource to connect women with the nearest shelter that can offer safety, hope, and support.

SALCO is a legal clinic that supports low-income South Asian people in Ontario. They provide services in a number of areas of law including forced marriage, intimate partner violenge, immigration, tenancy, employment, income supports, and other areas.

The SCLC is a multicultural network of community leaders and resource groups working in collaboration to provide spiritual care services.

Steps to Justice gives reliable and practical information on common legal problems including: step-by-step information to help you work through your legal problems; practical tools, such as checklists, fillable forms, and self-help guides; referral information for legal and social services across Ontario; live chat and email support if you can’t find the answers to your questions.

SAS provides academic accommodation assistance and related supports to students with disabilities at McMaster. SAS is available to assist students transitioning from high school, other post secondary institutions, undergraduate, continuing and graduate students.

The SAP is a benefit provided at no cost to all undergraduate McMaster students. The SAP, available 24/7 through multi-lingual calls, online chats, or texts, provides on-demand counselling with mental health experts, as well as professional consultation in the areas of nutrition, academic success, life skills, legal affairs, and more.

The SCMO provides support to students throughout their time at university, providing resources to manage issues as well as crisis prevention and intervention for students.

The SWC is the place on campus to address your wellness needs. They offer a range of counselling services, medical services and wellness programs.

The Support Services for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse program provides help for male survivors of sexual abuse, both recent and historical.

Survivor’s Sanctuary is an invitation to choose healing. This fully self-guided platform invites survivors to browse and engage 36 different healing lessons at their own pace.

A document outlining common symptoms of trauma (flashbacks, sleep disturbances, panic and anxiety attacks) and a variety of grounding techniques,

Talk4Healing is a culturally grounded, fully confidential helpline for Indigenous women available in 14 languages all across Ontario.

TalkSpot offers informal, confidential consultations with a counselor through same-day appointments every weekday. Available to all undergraduate and graduate students within the Faculty of Engineering.

Feel better faster with access to over 150+ video sessions that provide scientifically researched content to help you build life skills, engage in professional development, and explore common concerns, such as stress, anxiety and depression.

Toolkits related to technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), including technology safety and privacy, tech safety planning, preserving digital evidence, and legal remedies for TFGBV

The AIDS Network offers services and support to men, women, children, and families who have been affected by HIV/AIDS, including their Men4Men program, which aims to enhance the lives of gay, bisexual, queer and other men who have sex with men by reinforcing self-esteem and personal empowerment through sexual health education and resources.

A holistic toolkit for coping with racial trauma

Togetherall is a safe, online community where people support each other anonymously to improve mental health and wellbeing.

Trans Lifeline is a grassroots, peer-support crisis hotline offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis - for the trans community, by the trans community.

Transgender Sexual Violence Survivors: A Self-Help Guide to Healing and Understanding is a substantial document that includes information about trauma, transgender survivors of sexual assault, options for healing, self-help techniques, and more.

We Heal Together: a Colouring Book for Black Survivors is an initiative of Toronto Metropolitan University’s Consent Comes First, Office of Sexual Violence Support and Education Office and Carleton University’s Sexual Assault Support Centre. We Heal Together acknowledges the systemic barriers and erasure of Black folks in survivor-led spaces.

Welltrack Boost is a self-guided, clinically supported, CBT-based, set of tools that help individuals assess, understand, and work on their own behavioral health and wellness. McMaster has an account with Welltrack so that you can use its services free of charge.

Provides 3 unique words that correspond to exact location which can be sent through app to a trusted contact or provided to emergency services. Recognized by a number of Ontario police departments, including OPP.

A mental health peer support manual for Indigiqueer, Two-Spirit, LGBTQ+, and gender non-conforming Indigenous youth

The Hub is here to give you reliable, sex-positive, inclusive, pro-choice information about sexual health and support you in making informed decisions about your sexual health and help you to get the best care for you.

YWCA Hamilton strengthens women’s and girls’ voices, broadens their choices, builds dynamic leadership and provides essential and meaningful services that promote safe, inclusive, and equitable communities.