Empowering Supports for People Experiencing IPV

CHANNAL is a provincial organization that exists to build and strengthen a self-help network among individuals (16 years +) who live with mental health issues. CHANNAL’s aim is to combat isolation for those living with mental illness, to provide a forum for mental health consumers’ concerns, to educate the public on issues relevant to mental health consumers and to offer advocacy, social and emotional support to mental health consumer.

Speak with a trained mental health peer supporter. Note that, due to large call volumes, you may be prompted to leave a voice mail. CHANNAL will return your call with a blocked phone number to protect your privacy.

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.

Effective immediately, Mental Health and Addictions in St. John’s is now offering DOORWAYS Counselling Sessions by phone or video. Please call (709) 752-4903 to discuss counselling options during the following times:

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday: 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

In-person counselling is available for URGENT concerns upon pre-screening, where possible. Call the number listed to discuss counselling options.

Address: Building 532, Pleasantville (Back of building on Roosevelt Ave) 

Iris Kirby House & O’Shaughnessy House and Second Stage Shelters are actively operating.

Whether you’re looking to leave a violent situation or just need to talk to somebody and gain advice, we encourage those experiencing family violence and abuse to reach out.

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. 

See what programs and services are being offered, and how they are responding to COVID-19 by clicking here.

The John Howard Society is a voluntary, non-profit agency that provides counselling, residential, employment and related services to adult and youth ex-offenders.

JHS staff have been transitioning back to work since Monday, June 15th. They continue to be focused on the needs of our participants by helping them through this time and keeping them connected to their supports and to our community. If you need our support please call 726-5500 and someone will return your call.

Have children in your household? 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.

Legal Aid provides a range of legal services to low income individuals in Newfoundland and Labrador in the areas of family and criminal law.

Those who are eligible can access the service of one of Legal Aid’s experienced lawyers located throughout the province 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 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.

Stella’s Circle offers a range of residential, community, and correctional-based counselling services to support people through life’s challenges. With the necessary supports, people can reach their fullest potential.

Their services help people to achieve higher levels of personal independence and self-reliance, and they help participants recover from personal challenges and change their lives for the better.

The Just Us Women’s Centre in particular provides counselling and support to women over the age of 18 who have been in conflict with the law. They offer individual counselling, a peer support group and group services including addictions counselling, trauma groups, and anger management groups. They can support women through the legal process, help them with housing and employment, and advocating for them as required.

Just Us accept self-referrals or referrals from others including correctional supervision programs, court programs, health care providers, and agencies that provide services to women.

The St. John’s Status of Women’s Council works to achieve equality and justice through political activism, community collaboration and the creation of a safe and inclusive space for all women in the St. John’s area.

Their “Right Here, Right Now” drop-in counselling is a program that provides single session therapy to women and women identified (18 and over) in the St. John’s area. With COVID-19, the service is now being offered over the phone on a first come, first served basis.

Deaf women can now contact the Women’s Centre about programs and services by texting (709) 770-4312 We can respond to your messages Monday to Friday 8:30-4:30pmEmpowered Together: a drop-in peer support group for any woman impacted by intimate partner abuse (Mondays 6:30 – 7:30 PM)

Empowering Ourselves: an 8-week closed group exploring intimate partner abuse

Helping Mothers Thrive: an 8-week closed group supporting women whose parenting has been impacted by domestic violence