On-campus and Off-campus services
On-campus services
The following resources and services are available on campus for students who experience sexual violence:
Human Rights office:
The university's Human Rights office (HRO) receives initial disclosures from students, helps them understand their rights, and assists them with navigating available resources and supports. Through confidential, non-judgmental consultations, the HRO helps students decide which services and reporting options (if any) they want to pursue.
The HRO also provides centralized complaint-resolution services on matters related to student sexual violence, discrimination and harassment, including mediations, restorative justice processes and formal investigations.
- Arrange a confidential meeting with a Human Rights Specialist.
- File a formal report of sexual violence.
Student Mental Health Services:
Student Mental Health Services workers are experienced counsellors with trauma-informed training who are available to work with students to provide support and assistance, and help address concerns. They can:
- Provide therapeutic counselling to those affected by sexual violence.
- Help students who have experienced sexual violence access academic accommodations through Student Accessibility Services.
- Provide referrals to other support services, including campus or community counselling, advocacy, and medical services.
905.721.3392
studentlifeline@ontariotechu.ca
Campus Security:
The Office of Campus Safety is responsible for the safety and security of all students and university employees on campus. Security professionals trained in first aid and CPR provide this service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In an emergency, contact Campus Security and an officer will respond immediately.
905.721.8668 ext. 2400
For immediate assistance: 905.721.3211 (24 hours)
Indigenous Education and Cultural Services:
The Baagwating Indigenous Student Centre provides counselling services and promotes Indigenous ways of healing.
905.721.8668 ext. 6795
indigenous@ontariotechu.ca
Campus Health and Wellness Centre:
To support a healthy lifestyle, the Campus Health and Wellness Centre provides confidential health-care services, including a medical clinic, a pharmacy, and alternative health-care services.
905.721.3037
CHWC@dc-ot.ca
Ontario Tech Student Union - Student Rights and Advocacy:
The Ontario Tech Student Union’s Student Rights and Advocacy Coordinator provides free, confidential advice and offers assistance with petitions, hearings and complaints.
905.721.1609 ext. 3986
advocacy.otsu@ontariotechu.ca
Off-campus services
Emergency and crisis services
Durham Regional Police Service:
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. For all other (non-emergency) safety issues, call 1.888.579.1520.
Provides a 24/7 crisis line that anyone can access, and operates other services including Prideline Durham, which provides emotional support, crisis intervention and community referral information specific to the concerns and issues faced by the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
1.800.452.0688
Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres:
The Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres (OCRCC) is a network of 30+ English-language sexual assault centres in Ontario. Their 24-hour phone lines connect you with someone you can talk to right away. You can also receive crisis counselling, support, and information for support allies (e.g. parents, partners or friends of survivors). Additional services include safety planning, information on victim police reporting and medical options, and strategies for coping with flashbacks, memories and feelings. Visit the OCRCC web page to find the phone number specific to your location.
The Durham Rape Crisis Centre’s 24/7 crisis and support lines offer confidential and non-judgmental support and information to anyone who has experienced any form of sexual violence in their lives. Family, partners or friends supporting a sexual violence survivor may also call the line.
905.668.9200
Provides support for anyone who identifies as a survivor of violence, including trans people, non-binary folks, cisgender men and women, and youth. Access a 24/7 crisis line, individual and group counselling, court/medical accompaniment, peer support groups, advocacy, and more.
416.597.8808 (24-hour crisis line)
Support Services for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse:
Provides help for male survivors of past or recent sexual abuse, both recent and historical. The program is the first of its kind in Canada, and is delivered by agencies across the province. Survivors also have access to a 24-hour, multilingual, toll-free phone line for immediate crisis and referral services.
1.866.887.0015
A free, confidential helpline for post-secondary students in Ontario that provides professional counselling, information and referrals on a range of matters, including sexual violence.
1.866.925.5454; text GOOD2TALKON to 686868
Combined services
Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic:
Provides counselling, legal information, interpreters, and referral for women who have been physically or sexually abused.
416.323.9149
Supports women experiencing abuse and/or any form of gender-based violence by providing co-ordinated access to a range of specialized services.
1.877.723.3905
Provides a 24/7 crisis line, as well as support and counselling for women 16 years and older who have experienced sexual assault or abuse recently or in the past. Offers individual and group counselling, police, legal and medical accompaniment, and more.
905.668.9200
Offers support for anyone who identifies as a survivor of violence, including trans people, non-binary folks, cisgender men and women, and youth. Access a 24/7 crisis line, individual and group counselling, court/medical accompaniment, peer support groups, advocacy, and more.
416.597.8808 (24-hour crisis line)
Provides free, anonymous and confidential counselling, safety planning, emotional support, information, and referrals as well as a helpline available 24/7 in more than 200 languages.
416.863.0511 and 416.364.8762 (TTY)
Operates the Sex Trade Housing Support program, which assists sex trade workers in the Durham Region who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness. It is inclusive of youth, adults, persons with disabilities, persons with addictions, mental health issues, and persons involved with the criminal justice system and victims of domestic violence. Although an individual who occasionally trades sex for cash, shelter, etc. may not view themselves as a ‘sex trade worker’, they are still eligible for the program.
905.244.2602
Offers outreach, education and services in person and online to men who have experienced sexual violence and those who support them. Online services include 24/7 support and anonymous support groups.
Victim Services of Durham Region:
Provides crisis response, intervention and prevention services immediately following a crime or sudden tragedy. Services are free and confidential.
905.721.4226
Counselling supports
Provides professional, short-term, individual, couple and family counselling for people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, queer (2SLGBTQIA+).
416.595.9618
Offers 24/7 support, information and referrals to services in the community for French-speaking women facing gender-based violence. Fem’aide also addresses inquiries from relatives of women victims of violence.
1.877.336.2433
Paths of Courage Residential Healing Centre:
A one-of-a-kind program pioneered by the Sexual Assault Centre for Quinte and District. This free, one-week program provides assault survivors with opportunities to heal, transform and become empowered, while surrounded by nature.
613.476.7000
Legal supports
Office of the Attorney General – Victim/Witness Assistance Program:
Provides crisis intervention, emotional support, court preparation and orientation information, and referrals to community agencies. These services are targeted towards the most vulnerable victims and witnesses of violent crime, including, but not limited to, sexual violence. Services begin once police have laid charges and continue until the court case is over.
1.888.579.2888
Sexual Harassment and Assault Resource Exchange (SHARE):
Supports those who have experienced sexual harassment or assault at work. SHARE provides free, confidential legal advice to workers about all their options to help them make informed decisions about any legal steps they can take, if desired, to address their experience. It also offers referrals, outreach and education. SHARE services are available to all workers in Ontario regardless of age, income, or immigration status.
1.866.625.5179 or 416.597.4900; press option 8 for SHARE or option 6 for Indigenous Services
TTY: 416.597.4903 or 1.866.612.8627; press option 8 for SHARE or option 6 for Indigenous Services
Housing supports
Provides temporary safe shelter, with woman-centred advocacy, outreach, and other services to women, youth and children, supporting them to live free from domestic abuse.
905.623.6050
Provides free, confidential services 24/7 including temporary shelter, support and advocacy for abused women and their children located in Durham and Clarington regions.
1.866.437.4066
Devoted to improving the safety and experience of abused women and their children as they proceed through the family law process. Luke’s Place offers individual and group support, free Summary Legal Advice Clinics, a virtual legal aid clinic for women in remote communities, and more.
1.866.516.3116
A transitional shelter for Muslim women and their children that provides counselling as well as medical, legal, employment and housing referrals. Also provides three meals a day.
905.665.0424
Provides a safe house for women and their children who are fleeing violence. In addition to temporary shelter, The Denise House provides counselling, information, referrals, and transitional support. Transportation is available when needed from rural areas in the Durham Region.
905.728.7311
Health services
Durham Region Sexual Health Clinics:
Provides a wide variety of sexual health services including, but not limited to, condoms, Pap tests, low-cost birth control, pregnancy testing, HIV testing/counselling, free treatment of sexually transmitted infections, and sexual orientation, gender identity and relationship counselling and referrals.
Note: An Ontario health card is not required to access services. Various locations including Oshawa, Pickering and Port Perry. Find contact information for the location closest to you.
Lakeridge Health Oshawa – Durham Region Domestic Violence/ Sexual Assault Care Centre:
Offers 24/7 emergency medical services for adult victims of sexual assault up to one-week post-assault, and for children under 16 years of age up to three days post-assault. Also provides counselling for victims over 12 years of age who have been assaulted within the past year, as well as safety planning, support and referrals for victims of domestic violence.
905.576.8711 ext. 33286
Operates a Women’s Drop-In Program, which provides women involved in sex work in the Durham Region with nutritious meals, hygiene products, laundry, shower, counselling and support, safety planning and harm-reduction supplies.
905.244.2602
Supports for youth and children
Durham Children’s Aid Society:
Provides services to children under 16 years of age residing in Durham Region, and their families. Available 24/7 to report any concerns about a child who may be at risk.
905.433.1551
Sick Kids’ Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) Program:
Offers care, support and assessment to children and teenagers who may have been maltreated, and their families. The SCAN Program provides a link between SickKids and community doctors and hospitals, Children's Aid Societies, police, schools and other community agencies.
416.813.6275
The Gatehouse offers support groups for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse as well as partners.
416.255.5900
