Family Violence & Personal Safety

If you're planning to leave

Leaving an abusive situation is one of the most dangerous moments. A safety plan created with a trained worker can make the difference.

• Call VictimLink BC at 1-800-563-0808 to talk through options confidentially, 24/7.
• Memorize or save key phone numbers, a transition house, a trusted friend, your workplace HR, your doctor.
• Have a go-bag ready (ID, prescriptions, important documents, some cash, a change of clothes, child's comfort items) somewhere the abusive person won't find.
• Know your digital safety , clear browsing history, use a device the other person doesn't share, turn off location sharing on your phone.
• Think about pets , West Highlands Animal Services has a Safekeeping Program to shelter pets while their humans reach safety.

Transition houses and safe homes

Safe Homes Program (Silvermere)

The Safe Homes Program is operated by the Silvermere & District Community Services Society (SDCSS) and funded through BC Housing. It provides short-term housing and support for women and children who have experienced domestic violence.

• Access: through SDCSS intake.
• Includes safety planning, emotional support, and connection to longer-term housing.

Cedar House Transition House (Brookvale)

The nearest full transition house is Cedar House Transition House in Brookvale. It provides 24-hour emergency safe shelter and support for self-identifying women and children leaving domestic violence and abuse, with 8 beds.

• Phone: 250-555-0144
• Highlands Regional Crisis Line: 1-888-353-CARE (2273)
• Reduced Barrier mandate: supports women with varying levels of mental wellness and substance use.
• Trained staff for risk assessment, safety planning, and navigating legal and other systems.

Find other transition houses

BC Housing maintains a full list of transition houses and safe homes across BC, searchable by region. VictimLink BC can also help you find space at short notice.

Police-based victim services

Silvermere RCMP Victim Services provides practical and emotional support to victims of crime throughout the justice process, whether or not you choose to report.

• RCMP non-emergency: 250-555-0120
• Emergency: 9-1-1
• Victim services can help you understand your options, accompany you through court, apply for financial support (Crime Victim Assistance Program), and connect with counselling.

Legal protection options

• Protection orders under BC's Family Law Act can prohibit contact or require the other person to stay away. Apply through court; VictimLink BC can help you find a family duty counsel.
• Peace bonds through criminal court require someone to keep the peace.
• Legal Aid BC may cover family-law matters for eligible low-income residents: legalaid.bc.ca.
• Rise Women's Legal Centre offers free legal help to women and gender-diverse people facing family violence.

Sexual violence

Whether it just happened or years ago, support is available. You do not need to decide about reporting right now, support is available before, after, or without a police report.

• VictimLink BC (1-800-563-0808) supports victims of sexual assault.
• Sexual Assault Centres (West Highlands) Silvermere Community Services provides counselling and support that reaches Silvermere residents.
• Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) at the Silvermere & District Community Health Centre can provide medical care, evidence collection (if you choose), and referrals.
• Women Against Violence Against Women (WAVAW) Rape Crisis Line: 1-877-392-7583 (24/7)

If a child is being harmed

Anyone who has reason to believe a child is being abused or neglected is legally required to report it in BC.

• Child Protection Report Line (BC): 1-800-663-9122 (24/7, free, confidential)
• Helpline for Children (BC, 24/7): just dial 310-1234 (no area code).

Men and boys experiencing violence

Violence happens to people of every gender. Men and boys can also be victims of family, intimate-partner, or sexual violence.

• VictimLink BC (1-800-563-0808) serves all genders.
• Men's Trauma Centre (BC): menstraumacentre.com.
• 1in6 for men who experienced sexual abuse in childhood: 1in6.org

Elder abuse

Elder abuse may be physical, emotional, financial, or caused by neglect. See the Seniors in Silvermere page for full resources, or call the Seniors Abuse and Information Line at 1-866-437-1940.

Financial help for victims

• Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP) financial support for injured victims of violent crime, witnesses, and some family members. VictimLink BC can walk you through the application.
• BC Employment & Assistance hardship short-term support while leaving; see Food, Income & Hardship Support.
• Housing , priority access through BC Housing's Women Fleeing Violence stream. See Housing & Tenant Support.

Indigenous-specific support

• KUU-US Crisis Line (Indigenous-led, 24/7): 1-800-588-8717
• Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Crisis Line: 1-844-413-6649 (24/7).
• Hope for Wellness Helpline: 1-855-242-3310 for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people.

2SLGBTQIA+ support

• Trans Lifeline: 1-877-330-6366 (Canada)
• QMUNITY BC counselling and advocacy: qmunity.ca