Support for Immigrant and Refugee Survivors of Domestic Violence in Ontario (Addressing Unique Barriers)

🧳 Support for Immigrant and Refugee Survivors of Domestic Violence in Ontario

Addressing Unique Barriers to Safety and Justice

Domestic violence can affect anyone, regardless of immigration status. But newcomers often face unique fears—like being deported, losing their children, or not being believed. You are not alone, and you do have rights in Ontario, no matter your status.

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🧠 Common Challenges Faced by Newcomers

• Fear of deportation or immigration issues

• Lack of knowledge of Canadian laws or rights

• Language barriers and fear of calling the police

• Isolation—no family or community support nearby

• Abuse tied to sponsorship, finances, or immigration threats

• Misinformation—abusers often lie about what will happen if you leave

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📞 Crisis Lines with Multilingual Support

• Assaulted Women’s Helpline – 1-866-863-0511

  • 24/7, anonymous, interpreters available in 200+ languages

• Talk4Healing – 1-855-554-HEAL (for Indigenous women, including newcomers)

• Kids Help Phone – 1-800-668-6868 (supports immigrant youth too)

• 211 Ontario – Call 2-1-1 and request newcomer-specific help

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👩‍⚖️ You Have Rights in Ontario

• You do not need to be a citizen or permanent resident to:

  • Get protection from abuse

  • Call police or emergency services

  • Access shelters or counselling

  • Apply for legal aid

• If you are being sponsored by your abuser, you can still get help

• Canada’s immigration system does not require you to stay in an abusive relationship

• You can apply for Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) grounds or refugee status if DV puts you at risk

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🏠 Safe Shelter and Housing Help

• Women’s shelters across Ontario accept immigrants and refugees

  • No OHIP or status required

• YWCA Ontario, Nellie’s Shelter, and Interval House welcome newcomers

• Transitional housing is available while you plan next steps

• You can receive help applying for Ontario Works (OW) for basic needs

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⚖️ Legal and Immigration Support Services

• Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic

  • Free legal aid, trauma counselling, interpretation

• METRAC Justice Program

  • Legal education tailored to women and newcomers

• Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) – 1-800-668-8258

  • Family, immigration, and refugee law

• OCASI – SafePassage

  • National directory of immigrant & refugee supports, including safety planning

• FCJ Refugee Centre

  • Legal and housing help for undocumented and at-risk immigrants

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🧘‍♀️ Healing Support for Newcomers

• Across Boundaries – mental health services for racialized communities

• COSTI Immigrant Services – trauma counselling, housing help

• Sojourn House – emergency shelter and transition help for refugees

• Catholic Crosscultural Services – multilingual family violence support

• Rexdale Women’s Centre – abuse support in 20+ languages

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📌 Summary: Getting Help as an Immigrant or Refugee Survivor

• ✅ You have the legal right to be safe, no matter your status

• ✅ Abuse is never your fault—even if you’re being sponsored

• ✅ Confidential help is available in many languages

• ✅ You can get shelter, legal aid, income support, and counselling

• ✅ You do not need your abuser’s permission to access services

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📍 Ontario Resources to Start With

• Assaulted Women’s Helpline – 1-866-863-0511

• Barbra Schlifer Clinic – schliferclinic.com

• OCASI SafePassage – safepassageproject.ca

• METRAC Justice – yourlegalrights.on.ca

• Legal Aid Ontario – 1-800-668-8258

• FCJ Refugee Centre – fcjrefugeecentre.org

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