Crisis Contacts During COVID-19

Crime Stoppers is respecting social distancing measures, while continuing to provide an anonymous means of submitting information to police and investigating agencies. 

This province-wide toll free number will detect the region where the caller is located and immediately connect them with one of ten transition houses that are part of the Transition House Association of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The caller is then able to immediately speak with a trained professional who will assist them directly, or connect them to the appropriate service or organization in the community, including women’s centres, Violence Prevention Newfoundland and Labrador organizations, government departments, or medical and policing services.

The Domestic Violence Help Line is also fully text enabled, which provides for an additional means for those in need to reach out for assistance. The Help Line will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

All in-person programming activities (yoga classes, drop-in groups, information sessions, etc.) are suspended.. If you are experiencing abuse at home, THE SHELTER IS STILL OPERATIONAL and they are taking all necessary precautions to keep everyone safe and healthy. They are not accepting donations of items at this time.

Read more about their COVID-19 response here.

24-Hour Family Violence Crisis Line:

• IKH 1-877-753-1492
• OSH -1888-596-8709  

Counselors at Iris Kirby House will also respond to email: support@iriskirbyhouse.ca, or text ‘TEXT NOW’: 709-500-6296. If you are in danger, call 911. 

As an e-mental health service, Kids Help Phone remains open for young people across Canada 24/7 without any face-to-face contact. Text options and available.

The Mental Health Crisis Line provides 24/7 telephone-based crisis intervention, toll-free and confidential, by professionally trained Crisis Interveners. This service is open to anyone in crisis, their caregivers or loved ones, as well as health professionals on a consultative basis by phone.

Reach out for support in any way you can, at any opportunity you can.

Whether you have a health concern of any kind, have questions about self-care and healthy eating, or would like advice on how to support a loved one with their particular ailment, call 811. A Registered Nurse is available to talk 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 811 is a confidential and free telephone line available to all residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Victim Services is a free service offered by the Department of Justice and Public Safety to victims of crime in Newfoundland and Labrador.  Victim Services provides assistance to victims of:

• intimate partner violence (domestic violence);
• sexual assault;
• criminal harassment (stalking);
• personal violence like assault; assault with a weapon; assault causing bodily harm;
• threats;
• homicide (family members can access services);
• impaired driving;
• property crimes; and
• theft and fraud.

Services are available to adult victims of crime, 16 years of age and older whether or not the crime has been reported or a charge has been laid.  Services are also available to children, youth, or witnesses (under 16 years of age) when charges are laid. A caregiver or legal guardian must consent to services.

The Psychiatric Assessment Unit may be limited but is available to provide in-patient psychiatric care under emergency circumstances.

The RNC are doing all they can to mitigate the onset and severity of domestic abuse; also known as intimate partner violence (IPV). Call 911 if in crisis, or call the number above for weekday hours help.

During COVID-19, this unit has the ability to:

• Give you a working cellphone with minutes to gain independence/remain safe.
• Their lock exchange program is a collaboration with the RNC and the Canadian Federation of University Women to install replacement locks for women who are in need of having door locks replaced due to fear of intimate partner violence. The RNC in Labrador West is in the process of collaborating with IOCC, who will be funding this initiative in Labrador City.

If you are experiencing a crisis related to sexual assault, this number is available 24-hours a day.

The SANE Program is staffed with a team of nurses, who have advanced training and education in medical and forensic assessment of a person who has been sexually assaulted. These nurses are committed to providing compassionate, sensitive, patient centered, quality care; as well as assisting patients in making informed decisions about their care and how to move forward. 

The goal of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program is to provide options and choices about medical care and/or police reporting, provide medications to prevent infection and pregnancy, and connect patients with counselling services so they have appropriate support in moving forward if they choose to. 

The St. John’s office is closed for a minimum of two weeks, as of Feb 10 2021. They are not accepting donations of items at this time.

Their 24-Hour Support and Information Line (1-800-726-2743) will connect you with an empathetic, non-judgmental volunteer who can offer confidential emotional support, information, and resources as needed.

The Sexual Assault Crisis & Prevention Centre is a non-profit, community-based, charitable organization that exists to support individuals of all genders who have been impacted by sexual violence. They 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.