Let’s Talk Consent Resources
Vancouver & Lower Mainland Resources
VictimLinkBC
24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be accessed by calling or texting 1-800-563-0808 or sending an email to VictimLinkBC@bc211.ca
VictimLinkBC provides service in up to 150 languages, including many North American Aboriginal languages
Provides information and referral services to all victims of crime and immediate crisis support to victims of family and sexual violence, including victims of human trafficking exploited for labour or sexual services.
VictimLinkBC staff can connect you to a network of community, social, health, justice and government resources, including victim services, transition houses and counselling resources
Rape Victim Support Network
7879 Edmonds Street, Burnaby, BC, Canada V3N 1B9.
604-525-0999 (Administrative Office) for general inquiries
778-886-7001 (Confidential Line) to talk with a sexual assault intake worker
All of our services are free and confidential.
Offer peer counselling and practical help to those victimized by rape. Services include sexual assault recovery counselling, advocacy and referrals
Sex Sense Line
1-800-739-7367
It is a free, pro-choice, sex-positive, and confidential service available across B.C.
You can connect with registered nurses, counsellors, and sex educators for information and resources and sex sexuality and sexual health
They are available Monday to Friday from 9 AM – 9 PM through phone and email.
Surrey Women’s Centre
Phone: 604-589-1868
Email: info@surreywomenscentre.com
Surrey Mobile Assault Response Team (SMART) is a 24-hour mobile crisis response for survivors of a physical or sexual assault who need emergency medical treatment. The mobile response unit assists people to access medical care, a police response, and access to social services after they have been physically or sexually assaulted.
SMART Hospital team project provides medical emergency support, trauma Counselling and other important services 24-hours-a-day and 7-days-a-week.
Dignity Counselling Services is our private counselling program, where our counsellors work from a trauma-informed, harm reduction & anti-oppressive feminist framework.
Legal Support: We help survivors and their families navigate the court system as they search for justice and refuge from their assailants.
WAVAW Rape Crisis Centre
24-Hour Crisis and Information Line:
Lower Mainland: 604-255-6344 & National Toll-free: 1-877-392-7583
Office (Mon-Fri, 9-5) Phone: 604-255-6228
WAVAW offers trauma-informed feminist support to survivors of sexualized violence. Our services are open to cis and trans women and people of all marginalized genders, including Two-Spirit, trans, and non-binary people.
Services:
Hospital Accompaniment
Police & Court Accompaniment
Counselling
Indigenous Counselling
Vancouver Rape Relief & Women’s Shelter
Call 604 872 8212 // 24 HOUR CRISIS LINE
Services
Peer Counselling
Grouping with other women
Advocacy with police
Accompaniment to a Sexual Assault Exam
Housing for Women and their Children who are escaping violence
Edmonton Resources
https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/findhealth/Service.aspx?id=5591
Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton
Suite 205, 14964 – 121A Avenue Edmonton, AB T5V 1A3
Office: 780.423.4102 or email: info@sace.ca or counselling@sace.ca (for counselling or police/court support inquiries)
SACE Support and Information Line: call 780-423-4121 to be connected to a volunteer trained in supportive listening. The SACE Support and Information Line is available daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. This line is available for anyone who has experienced sexual assault or abuse, as well as to those who are supporting anyone impacted by it.
SACE is here for all people who have experienced sexual assault. People of any age, gender, sexual orientation, and background can access SACE’s services without judgment. Their loved ones need us too—we help them feel confident in the support they’re providing. And when the public is grappling with issues related to sexual assault, SACE is there to educate our community and provide a professional perspective.
SACE services include: adult counselling, child/youth counselling, group counselling, psychoeducation, police and court support, and public education.
Alberta’s One Line for Sexual Violence
Call or text 1-866-403-8000
Alberta’s One Line for Sexual Violence is a toll-free talk, text, and chat service that provides emotional support, information, and referral to anyone who has experienced or been impacted by sexual violence.
One Line can provide support in the moment while also connecting Albertans to the nearest sexual assault centre for access to specialized services for individuals, families and communities across the province.
Support is available seven days a week, with access to interpretation services in over 200 languages.
Kids Help Phone
1-800-668-6868 has a toll-free, 24-hour phone, counselling and referral service for young people.
Connect by texting CONNECT to 686868, and chat confidentially with a trained, volunteer Crisis Responder for support with any issue.
If you would like to stop the conversation, text STOP.
It's safe, private and non-judgmental.
The Youth Against Violence Line
Phone: 1-800-680-4264
Text: 604-836-6381
24/7 anonymous and confidential line to talk to a trained support worker.
You can contact them about bullying, gang activity, harassment, intimidation, sexual exploitation, and many other issues.
Available in multiple languages.
GOOD IG ACCOUNTS TO FOLLOW
@anonymousangels.yeg
@Safe_bae
@Nsvrc
@_taking.me.back_
@letstalkabtconsent
@Metoomanyvoices
@rapesurvivorsupport
@Sayitloudspace
@cheerupluv
INFO ON CONSENT
Consent Characteristics
FREELY GIVEN
A choice you or another individual makes without any pressure, manipulation or influence
Anyone involved has the freedom to say yes or no
REVERSIBLE
Anyone involved can change their mind at any time and is respected for their decision
You can say “no” or “stop” at any point and must be respected for that
You can pull away at any time from actions
INFORMED
Anyone involved has the full story of what will happen and an understanding of what they are agreeing to each and every time
ENTHUSIASTIC
Individuals should be excited and interested in participating
Everyone has the right to only do the stuff they want to and should not be expected to do anything more
SPECIFIC
Each action requires specific consent
An individual agreeing to kiss is not agreeing to have sex, these are two different actions and both require consent
Ways to Support a Friend who has Disclosed with You
LISTEN
Create a safe and welcoming space
Remove distractions
Avoid making judgemental statements and refrain from blaming
Avoid labelling their experience
Come from a caring and understanding perspective
Emphasize you will keep everything confidential and the individual only has to share what they feel comfortable sharing.
BELIEVE
Thank your friend for trusting you and confiding in you.
Express it is not their fault and you believe them.
Validate their feelings and experience
EMPOWER
Suggest potential resources and support - ask if they are in a position/mindset of hurting themselves and provide resources if needed
Respect their decision
Ask if you can follow-up to continue the support and offer helping with finding resources in the future if they decide that is something they want
Respect their confidentiality
CHECK-IN WITH YOURSELF
Check-in with your mental and emotional state and decipher what you need currently
Practice self-care
What degree of support can you personally provide depending on your state and capabilities currently?
Enforce healthy boundaries
