Family violence – Find supports

24-hour help

Help – online chat or helplines

Online chat

Available 24 hours a day in English only. Chat anonymously with trained staff.

Begin online chat

How it works

1. Go to the online chat link.
2. Enter your information and click ‘Start’.
3. Watch for a pop-up window to know when the next chat staff is available.
4. When you see a message in the chat window, enter your message.

Things to know

• English only
• average chat session is 30 minutes
• set your Internet browser to private mode for a more secure chat
• there may be long wait times
• use a desktop computer for a faster and more stable connection
• if you lose your chat connection, log in again or call 310-1818 (Family Violence Info Line)
• after you finish, click ‘End chat’ before closing your browser

Reporting helplines

If you suspect someone is experiencing family violence or abuse, phone the:

• Alberta provincial abuse helpline: 1-855-4HELPAB (1-855-443-5722) – for assistance in more than 100 languages from 7:30 am to 8 pm, Monday to Friday
• Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-387-KIDS (5437) – for help 24/7
• Protection for Persons in Care Reporting Line: 1-888-357-9339 – to report the abuse of an adult receiving care or support services from public funded service providers such as:
  • hospitals
  • seniors’ lodges
  • nursing homes
  • mental health facilities
  • shelters
  • group homes
  • addictions treatment centres
  • other supportive living settings

Health helplines

• Mental Health Helpline: 1-877-303-2642 – for mental health advice 24/7
• HealthLink: Call 811 – to find health care and get health advice 24/7

Financial help and supports

• Help with costs to leave a domestic violence situation – if you are living with domestic violence and need to break your rental lease without paying a penalty
• Safer Spaces Certificate – if you are living with domestic violence and need to break your rental lease without paying a penalty
• Victims of Crime Financial Benefits program – if you were a victim of a crime in Alberta that you reported to police you may be eligible for an injury, witness or death benefit
• Payment for out-of-pocket expenses related to a crime – if you apply for restitution to have the offender pay these costs

Other supports

Shelters

• Local emergency shelters – for individuals and families escaping family violence or facing homelessness
• Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters – a map of member shelters across Alberta

Sexual assault services

• Alberta’s One Line for Sexual Violence if you need help finding sexual assault support services (9 am to 9 pm daily):
  • Phone 1-866-403-8000 (215+ languages)
  • Text 1-866-403-8000 (English only)
  • Chat online (English only)

Victim services and legal supports

• Local victim services units – if you need help with restraining and protection orders or other supports for victims of crime
• Local sexual assault centres – if you have experienced any form of sexual violence and need crisis support or counselling
• Legal Aid Services at 1-866-845-3425 – if you need help with legal issues
• Steps to file a restraining order or emergency protection order – if someone has made you afraid for your safety

Clare’s Law

If you feel at risk of domestic violence, you may be able to apply under Clare’s Law to get information about a partner so you can make an informed choice about your safety.

Indigenous supports

• Native Counselling Services of Alberta – if you need help with court processes or Children’s Services, or connecting to youth supports and other community resources
• Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association – if you want to connect with services for people who have been abused or who abuse others
• Métis and Indigenous Children’s Services offices or Delegated First Nations Agencies – if you are a member of either community and need help with supports for your children

Pet safety

• Alberta SPCA’s pet safekeeping program – if you need temporary pet care at no charge.

Your rights and the law

Alberta’s Protection Against Family Violence Act  protects abused family members of all ages, whether they live together or apart. This includes:

• couples who are married, common-law, separated or divorced who may have children together or not
• parents who have not resided together
• birth, adopted, foster and step-children
• adults who live together and one person has legal care and custody over the other

A victim of family violence, domestic violence and abuse has a right to:

• be free and safe from violence
• be treated with courtesy, compassion and respect
• get information about their legal rights
• press charges for criminal actions
• have the maximum protection from abuse permitted by law including restraining or protection orders
• get help from community resources