NEED SUPPORT?
Because it's okay not to be okay sometimes!
If you, or someone you know experiences online gender based violence there are things you can do! You can go to a trusted adult or advocate for support in taking any next steps.
Who can help? In school: · Guidance Counsellor · Social Worker · Psychologist · Staff or Teacher you trust · Police or Resource Officer
You may be able to talk to your parents or friends. For your own safety, don’t keep abuse a secret — reach out!
Just remember that this is not your fault and everyone has the right to be believed! You are a strong, powerful and valuable person. Your safety comes first. Please make sure you read this guide in a safe place.
"Don't give yourself a hard time for feeling a certain way. It's a messed up position you've been put in and there's no 'right' way to feel. You're not failing if it bothers you, you're not failing if you're angry, you are not failing for not being 'tough enough'. A lot of emotions come with these situations, and you're totally allowed." -Zoe Quinn
Read Hollaback's Cyberviolence Self-Care Guide Here!
IF YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED CYBERVIOLENCE YOU CAN..
- Call someone you trust to support you
- Call a crisis line
Ontario Assaulted Women’s Helpline………… 24 hour 1(866) 863-0511 TTY 1(866) 863-7868
Ottawa 24 hour Information and Help…….…...24 hour (613) 745-4818
Ottawa Distress Centre………………………...24 hour (613) 238-3311
Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre…………………….24 hour (613) 562-2333 TTY (613) 562-3860
Sexual Assault Support Centre………………..24 hour (613) 234-2266 TTY (613) 725-1657
Fem'aide Crisis Line.........24 hour 1(877) 336-2433 ATS 1(866) 860-7082
CALACS Francophone d’Ottawa ………………613-789-9117
Francophone Sexual Assault Program………………… (613) 233-8478 TTY (613) 233-1866
- Call the police services
Emergency……………………………………. 24 hour – 911
Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit…………613-236-1222 ext 5944
Victim Crisis Unit …………………………….613-236-1222 ext 5822
Partner Assault Unit..........................(613) 236-1222 ext 5407
- Seek medical attention if needed
Emergency……………………………………. 24 hour – 911
Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit…………613-236-1222 ext 5944
Victim Crisis Unit …………………………….613-236-1222 ext 5822
Partner Assault Unit..........................(613) 236-1222 ext 5407
HOW TO SUPPORT A FRIEND!
Some things to think about!
- First & most importantly, believe them & reassure them that this is not their fault!
- Listen, listen & listen non-judgmentally and be supportive
- Remember that survivors are the experts of their own experiences
- Focus on the survivors needs
- Allow them to make their own decisions and respect the choices they make
- Build upon & respect any steps that the survivor has already taken
- Help them find resources and information if this is what they want
- You can also help your friend document & collect evidence of what happened (e.g. keeping journal entries, reporting, reviewing, responding, taking screenshots, keeping records of the URLs of malicious content, monitoring social media accounts, etc.
- And don't forget to take care of yourself too!
- Look for heightened risks, such as dependence on technology for medical or assistive reasons.
Oh and here are some Tips for Friends & Family Survivors
MORE HELPFUL RESOURCES!
24/7, Anonymous, Free, Confidential, Professional phone service for ages 20 and under.
1-800-668-6868
Accessible en tout temps, anonyme, gratuity, confidential, professionnel service téléphonique
Pour les 20 ans et moins.
1-800-668-6868
Family Service Ottawa's Bilingual youth pamphlet on teen dating violence.
Youth Service Bureau of Ottawa
- Housing and Shelter at YSB
- Downtown Services and Drop-in
- Hepatitis C (HCV) Prevention Education Program
- Youth Health Clinic
- Housing Plus services and Trusteeship
- Ethno-Cultural Community Program
Provides accurate, credible and up-to-date information and education on sexual health. An initiative of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) the sites mandate is to provide guidance and advice to help individuals develop and maintain healthy sexuality.
Canada’s tipline to report the online sexual exploitation of children.
Children’s Advocate Offices in Canada
List of Children’s advocate offices available in each province.
Website that provides information related to dating abuse and healthy relationships. There are also advocates available via chat and toll-free number who are trained in these issues as well as crisis intervention.
1-866-331-9474
Chat by clicking the Chat now button
Clickable map to connect women and their children with the nearest shelter that can offer safety and support.
Inclusive, comprehensive, supportive sexuality & relationships info for teens and emergin adults!
CYBERVIOLENCE RESOURCES
Engaging Ontarians in a dialogue about sexual violence.
Hollaback! Staying safe on social media- We’ve got your back!
Introducing our new Social Media Safety Guides for Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, Tumblr, and Youtube! We have worked hard alongside each of these platforms to make the process of understanding online safety a priority.
Every guide gives user friendly information on how to best use reporting and privacy tools on each platform, and for the very first time all of this information is located in one nifty location!
Take Back the Tech! is a collaborative campaign to reclaim information and communication technology (ICT) to end violence against women (VAW).
Safe Hub Collective is a group of people working to make all public spaces safer and more accessible for everyone in the Greater Boston area through collective action and community-based solutions.
Online Abuse Crisis Helpline, resource center, and advocacy group. Staffed by survivors, trying to make the internet a safer place.
Reporting, Reviewing, And Responding To Harassment on Twitter: Recommendations.
WAM! launched a pilot project to support Twitter users experiencing gendered harassment and abuse on the platform, including abuse that intersects with racial, LGBT, and other kinds of oppression.