Diaspora North

Resources  ·  Get Settled

Domestic violence support

You are not alone, and what's happening is not your fault. There are people in Thunder Bay, Sudbury, and across Northern Ontario whose entire job is to help. Help is free, confidential, multilingual, and available even if your immigration status depends on the person hurting you.

Before reading further — protect your digital footprint.
Phones, tablets, and home Wi-Fi can be monitored.
• Use private / incognito browsing (Chrome: Cmd+Shift+N · Firefox: Cmd+Shift+P)
• Better: borrow a friend's phone, or use a public library or workplace computer
• Clear your browser history, cookies, and downloads after every visit on a shared device
• Watch for stalkerware: unexplained battery drain, unfamiliar apps, partner knowing things they shouldn't
• Don't text a friend on your own phone about leaving — calls and texts may be reviewed

If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If you cannot speak, dial 911 and stay on the line — operators can still send police from a silent call.

Free 24/7 crisis lines (Ontario-wide)

ServicePhoneFor
Assaulted Women's Helpline1-866-863-0511 · TTY 1-866-863-7868 · text #SAFE (#7233) on Bell/Rogers/Fido/Telus24/7, anonymous, 200+ languages via interpreters
Talk4Healing1-855-554-4325Indigenous women — 14 Indigenous languages incl. Anishinaabemowin, Cree, Oji-Cree, Inuktitut, Mohawk, Mi'kmaq
Fem'aide1-877-336-2433French-language, 24/7, text/chat at femaide.ca
Ontario Victim Support Line1-888-579-288824/7 multilingual info & referral; chat Mon–Fri 7 am–9 pm ET
9-8-8 Suicide Crisis HelplineCall or text 988If you're feeling suicidal

Northern Ontario shelters & transition houses

Northwestern Ontario

  • Beendigen Inc. (Thunder Bay) — Indigenous women's shelter since 1978. Crisis: 1-888-200-9997 · 807-346-4357. Office: 807-622-1121. Operates Talk4Healing.
  • Faye Peterson Transition House (Thunder Bay) — 24/7 crisis: 807-345-0450 · toll-free 1-800-465-6971. Crisis text: 807-700-5011. fayepeterson.org
  • Hoshizaki House (Dryden) — serves Dryden, Ignace, Vermillion Bay. 24-hr crisis: 807-223-3226. Admin: 807-223-7311. hoshizakihouse.ca

Northeastern Ontario

  • YWCA Genevra House (Sudbury) — 32-bed emergency shelter. Crisis: 705-674-2210 · toll-free 1-800-461-0133. ywcasudbury.ca
  • Centre Victoria pour femmes (Sudbury, Sault, Elliot Lake, Wawa) — Francophone counselling. 705-670-2517. centrevictoria.ca
  • Women in Crisis (Algoma) Inc. (Sault Ste. Marie) — 24-bed shelter, 24/7. 705-759-1230 · toll-free 1-877-759-1230. womenincrisis.ca
  • Nipissing Transition House (North Bay) — 20-bed shelter for women 16+ and children. 24/7 in English & French. 705-476-2429. nipissingtransitionhouse.com

If your immigration status depends on the abuser — Family Violence TRP

If you came to Canada as a sponsored spouse, partner, or worker tied to your abuser, leaving doesn't have to mean losing your status. IRCC has a special Family Violence Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) for exactly this situation.

  • Free — no fees for the TRP, renewals, work permit, study permit, or biometrics
  • As of February 4, 2025, the TRP is issued for at least 12 months (previously 6)
  • You get Interim Federal Health (IFH) coverage, including trauma counselling
  • You can apply for a work permit
  • Children in Canada without status can be included on your TRP
  • You may also pursue permanent residence on Humanitarian & Compassionate (H&C) grounds

How to apply: mark your envelope "FV" and mail to: FV — IRCC Vulnerable Persons Unit, 5343 Dundas Street West, Suite 105, Toronto, ON M9B 6K5. A shelter advocate or settlement worker can help.

Get free legal help: Legal Aid Ontario covers family-violence immigration matters — call 1-800-668-8258. See our legal help guide.

Children & the Children's Aid Society (CAS)

Under Ontario's Child, Youth and Family Services Act, exposure to domestic violence is a child-protection concern, and police attending an intimate-partner-violence call must refer to CAS if there's a child in the home.

The CAS's first goal is keeping children safely with the non-abusive parent. Leaving an abuser typically strengthens a parent's standing with CAS, not the reverse. Many shelter advocates can liaise with CAS on your behalf — you don't have to face this conversation alone.

Local CAS offices (Northern Ontario):

  • Children's Aid Society of the District of Thunder Bay
  • Dilico Anishinabek Family Care (Indigenous, NWO)
  • Tikinagan Child & Family Services (NWO Indigenous, remote First Nations)
  • CAS Algoma (Sault Ste. Marie)
  • CAS Sudbury & Manitoulin
  • Nipissing & Parry Sound CAS

Family Violence Initiative — federal coordination

The Family Violence Initiative (FVI), led by the Public Health Agency of Canada, coordinates 15 federal departments. Through it, Indigenous Services Canada funds 46+ Indigenous emergency shelters (including Beendigen). The federal hub is at canada.ca → Stop Family Violence.

Common pitfalls

  • Believing leaving means losing status. The Family Violence TRP exists exactly so you can leave safely.
  • Searching for help on a shared device. Use a friend's phone or a library computer.
  • Not telling a settlement worker because of shame. They've heard it before. They will not judge, and they will not contact authorities without your consent.
  • Trying to handle CAS alone. Shelter advocates can speak alongside you.

Local services across Northern Ontario

Verified entries from settlement.org and 211 Ontario directories. Crisis lines first, then advocacy and counselling. Confirm intake before going in person.

Thunder Bay

Greater Sudbury

Sault Ste. Marie

North Bay

Timmins

Sources & references: Local services cross-referenced with settlement.org (OCASI's Ontario newcomer directory) and 211 Ontario. Confirm current hours and intake before visiting.

Next steps

  1. Save the Assaulted Women's Helpline: 1-866-863-0511
  2. If you're Indigenous, save Talk4Healing: 1-855-554-4325
  3. If you speak French, save Fem'aide: 1-877-336-2433
  4. Find your closest shelter from the list above (programmer her crisis number into your phone under a neutral name)
  5. If your status depends on the abuser, ask LAO (1-800-668-8258) about the Family Violence TRP

Want to talk it through with someone first?

A settlement worker can listen — and walk with you.

You don't have to decide anything by talking. Settlement workers can listen, explain options, contact a shelter on your behalf, and help with the immigration paperwork. Free, confidential, multilingual.

Thunder Bay Multicultural Association   Or message us

DON'T LIVE NEAR A SETTLEMENT OFFICE?

Call the regional org for your area.

Settlement workers will register you by phone or video and help you find local supports. There's no requirement to live in the same town as the office — these services are funded for all of Northern Ontario.

See all settlement services →

Last reviewed: April 2026. Family Violence TRP details and IRCC procedures from canada.ca current as of this date.

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