Violence Against Women PROGRAM How To Reach Us We’re Passionate About Helping People The Violence Against Women Program is just one of the many programs offered by Family Service Association of Toronto—a leading, non-profit social service agency that helps over 13,000 individuals and families in need each year. We believe that by helping to strengthen families and individuals, we help build healthier communities for everyone. We provide a variety of community support and counselling programs to people struggling to cope with challenges, such as depression, physical abuse, sexual orientation issues, marital problems, intellectual disabilities and the challenges of growing older. To find out more about the Violence Against Women Program, or to make an appointment, please call 416-595-9618. Our services are available to everyone living or working in Toronto, regardless of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, level of literacy, marital or family status, income or political affiliation. There are no fees for our services. If you are in an abusive relationship – we can help. For information about other Family Service Association of Toronto programs, please call 416-595-9618. To reach our administrative office, please contact: 355 Church Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1Z8 Tel: 416-595-9230 Fax: 416-595-0242 Visit our website at: www.fsatoronto.com FSA Toronto welcomes diversity and is committed to a policy of anti-oppression. A United Way Member Agency Violence Against Women PROGRAM Violence Against Women PROGRAM “When we moved here, away from family and friends, my husband did not allow me to register for an English class or use public transportation. I felt alone in a new city and in my own home. My children were my only reason for not giving up hope.” You Are Not Alone It may be hard to understand why, but sometimes the people in our lives hurt us. We may have partners who call us names, say bad things about us in front of others or try to physically hurt us. Although many of us feel that our partners don’t mean to hurt us, we also know that the pain must stop. Family Service Association of Toronto has a long history of helping women in abusive relationships get the support they need to survive and grow stronger. We Can Help Every year, we offer private and confidential support to over 1,000 women seeking help. Through our program, you will be listened to and you will learn: • that you are not alone and that there are options available to you; • what abuse is and why it happens; • to build on your strengths and increase your self-esteem; • to plan for the future and learn new coping skills; • to be safe; and • to bring back a sense of control and hope in your life. How Our Services Can Help You We provide support, information about community resources and advice on how to be safe, over the phone or in person. If you decide to make an appointment, our counsellors will help you explore your options, make decisions and find solutions for how to deal with your situation. In addition to oneon-one counselling, many women attend support groups and educational workshops. Our services are available in a variety of languages, to women of diverse backgrounds or with special needs who live or work in Toronto. We have established an advisory committee of women from the community to help support and guide the goals and objectives of this program. All of the women on our advisory committee have experienced some form of abuse. How We’ve Made a Difference in Women’s Lives “The one-on-one counselling helped me regain my self-worth and confidence and helped me move in a more positive direction with my life. I was able to deal with my anger and hurt in a helpful and supportive atmosphere.” “This program was a life-line for me at a period in my life when I felt that I had no strength to go on for another day. Without FSA’s help, perhaps I would not be around to tell my story today.” “I thank you every day deep in my heart for being there with me when I needed you most. You showed me the right path. I have my child with me because of you.” … the group helped me to “feel good about myself, which is a change.”