The Victim Services Branch provides 24-hour support and practical assistance to individuals affected by crime or traumatic events. Our staff and specially trained volunteers offer emotional support, safety planning, and referrals to community resources.
If you or a family member has been impacted by crime or trauma and need support, please call our 24-hour line at 905-546-4904. We are here to listen and connect you with the help you need.
Victim Services Supporting Victims of Crime & Trauma
Information for Victims of Break and Enter
Information for Helping Children with Grief
Information for Victims of Domestic Violence
Supporting Victims of Hate Crime
Information for Families of Homicide Victims
Information for Families involved with MVCs
Information for Survivors of Sexual Assault
Information for Coping with a Sudden Death
Find contact information for community organizations offering shelter, crisis support, counselling, legal assistance, victim services and other resources in Hamilton and across Ontario.
Assaulted Women’s Helpline
1-866-863-0511
Barrett Centre for Crisis Support
905-529-7878
COAST (Crisis Outreach & Support Team)
905-972-8338
Fem’Aide – Francophone Women’s Support Line
1-877-336-2433
Kids Help Phone / Jeunesse, J’écoute
1-800-668-6868
Mental Health Helpline
1-866-531-2600
Crown Attorney’s Office
905-645-5262
Victim Support Line
1-888-579-2888
Victim/Witness Assistance Program
905-645-5272
Hamilton Community Legal Clinic
905-527-4572
Good Shepherd Centre – Men
905-528-9109
Good Shepherd Family Centre
905-528-9442
Good Shepherd Youth Services – Notre Dame House
905-308-8090
Men's Service Opportunity Centre
905-528-7635
Salvation Army – Booth Centre Men’s Shelter
905-527-1444
Family Law Information Centre (FLIC)
905-645-5252
Good Shepherd Women’s Services
Legal Advocate: 905-523-8766 ext. 4237
Family Court Support Worker: 905-523-8766 ext. 4333
Jared’s Place: Legal Advocacy & Resource Centre for Women
905-522-0127
Immigrant Working Centre
905-529-5209
Access to Housing
905-546-2424 ext. 3708
Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre
905-522-3233
John Howard Society of Hamilton, Burlington & Area
905-522-4446
Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagara
905-528-0163
Sexual Assault Centre – Hamilton & Area (SACHA)
905-525-4573
Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Care Centre
905-521-2100 ext. 73557
Martha House
Crisis: 905-523-6277
Business: 905-523-8895
Mary’s Place
905-540-8000
Interval House of Hamilton
Crisis: 905-387-8881
Business: 905-387-9959
Mission Services – Inasmuch House
Crisis: 905-529-8600
Business: 905-529-8149
Native Women’s Centre
Crisis: 1-888-905-6559
Business: 905-664-1114
LEAF Program (Learning Effective Anti-Violence in Families)
905-523-8766
Notre Dame House
905-308-8090
John Howard Society of Hamilton, Burlington & Area
905-522-4446
Hate or bias motivated crimes are offences driven, in whole or in part, by prejudice against a person’s identity. This may include factors such as ancestry, origin, language, race, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.
A hate crime is a criminal offence against a person or property that is motivated by bias, prejudice, or hate toward an identifiable group.
A hate or bias-motivated incident involves similar behaviour but does not meet the threshold of a criminal offence. Examples may include:
- Name-calling
- Racial or discriminatory insults
- Distribution of hateful material
Hate propaganda is any communication used that promotes hatred toward a specific group based on race, religion, nationality, or ethnic origin.
- Advocating Genocide: When someone supports/promotes the intent to destroy in whole or in part, any identifiable group.
- Public Incitement of Hatred: When someone communicates statements in a public place that promotes hatred against any identifiable group.
There are three Hate Propaganda sections in the Criminal Code:
Advocating Genocide
Section 318. (1) Everyone who advocates or promotes genocide is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.
Definition of “genocide”
(2) In this section, "genocide" means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy in whole or in part any identifiable group, namely,
(a) killing members of the group; or
(b) deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction.
Public Incitement of Hatred
Section 319. (1) Everyone who, by communicating statements in any public place, incites hatred against any identifiable group where such incitement is likely to lead to a breach of the peace is guilty of
(a) an indictable offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years; or
(b) an offence punishable on summary conviction.
Wilful Promotion of Hatred
Section 319. (2) Everyone who, by communicating statements, other than in private conversation, willfully promotes hatred against any identifiable group is guilty of
(a) an indictable offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years; or
(b) an offence punishable on summary conviction
If you experience or witness a hate crime, report it to police as soon as possible. Stay calm, keep any evidence such as messages or materials, and record details about what happened.
Reporting helps police investigate incidents, identify patterns and work to prevent further harm.
How to Report
- Emergency or crime in progress: Call 9-1-1
- Non-emergency: Call 905-546-4925
- Online: Report a Hate Crime
Understanding Human Trafficking
Human trafficking involves recruiting, transporting, or controlling a person for the purpose of exploitation, often through sexual exploitation or forced labour.
It is a criminal offence under the Criminal Code of Canada and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
Many victims do not come forward due to fear, manipulation, threats, language barriers, mistrust of authorities, or not recognizing they are being trafficked.
Prevention
Preventing human trafficking requires awareness and coordinated community efforts. Key strategies include:
- Training for front-line service providers
- Public awareness and education campaigns
- Identifying individuals and locations at higher risk
- Sharing information through international and community networks
- Strengthening child protection programs
The Hamilton Police Service Human Trafficking Unit investigates incidents and supports victims.
The Victim Services Branch provides immediate assistance, including:
- Emotional support
- Practical assistance
- Referrals to community resources
For support, contact Victim Services at 905-546-4904.
Chrysalis Anti-Human Trafficking Network
- Call 1-866-528-7109
- Offers free, confidential trauma counselling for individuals who have experienced trafficking or exploitation, as well as ongoing support for those in the sex trade
Additional Resources
Recognizing the early signs of abuse or controlling behaviour is important. Abuse is not always visible and can include emotional, psychological, physical, sexual or controlling behaviour.
If you are concerned about your safety or someone else's, help is available. If you are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.
You may be experiencing abuse if your partner:
- Controls your decisions, movements, finances or contact with family and friends
- Insults, humiliates, intimidates or makes you feel powerless
- Treats you like a possession or expects obedience
- Threatens you, your children, themselves, pets or people you care about
- Damages property or uses weapons or other behaviour to intimidate you
- Blames you for their behaviour or makes you feel responsible for the abuse
If you feel afraid, controlled, isolated or unsafe in your relationship, support is available.
Hamilton Police Service
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergency: 905-546-4925
Hamilton Police Victim Services Branch
905-546-4904
Crisis support, safety planning, shelter information and transitional support.
Assaulted Women’s Helpline
1-866-863-0511
TTY: 1-866-863-7868
24-hour crisis support for women experiencing abuse in Ontario.
- Tell someone you trust about the abuse and identify somewhere safe you can go
- Create an emergency plan and a code word with your children or someone you trust
- Teach children how to get help and not to intervene during violence
- Gather important documents, identification, medication, keys, money and essential belongings
- Keep copies of important documents and evidence of abuse somewhere safe
- Contact police, Victim Services or a shelter for help developing your safety plan
- Consider safe arrangements for children and pets
- Do not tell your partner you are leaving if doing so could put you at greater risk
- Consider a shelter or another safe location your partner does not know
- Ask police or someone you trust for assistance when leaving
- Keep important documents, medication, money and essential belongings accessible
- Seek medical attention for injuries and keep records or evidence of abuse
- Speak with police or a lawyer about available legal protections
- Inform your children's school or daycare of relevant safety concerns
- Consider changing routines, contact information and shared services
- Tell trusted neighbours, family members or your employer if they can help with your safety
- Avoid returning home or contacting the abuser if doing so could put you at risk
If you are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1. You do not have to navigate the situation alone. Support is available.
Sexual assault is any act of a sexual nature that violates a person’s sexual integrity. It includes a wide range of behaviours and is not limited to contact with any specific part of the body.
When determining sexual assault, factors may include:
- The part of the body involved
- The nature of the contact
- The circumstances in which the incident occurred
- Any words or gestures accompanying the act
- All surrounding circumstances
- Any threats, with or without physical force
Sexual assault can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, income, ethnicity, ability, sexual orientation, culture, or religion.
Hamilton Police Service has a specialized unit trained to investigate sexual assault.
To report a sexual assault, call 905-546-4925.
You may also be able to report online if:
- You are not in immediate danger
- The person responsible is not present
- There is no evidence requiring collection (such as blood or bodily fluids)
- You have access to a private email account
Note: Physical evidence may be collected up to 12 days after the incident.
Filing a false police report is a criminal offence.
A historical sexual assault is reported more than one year after it occurred. Reports can be made over the phone if preferred.
- If the victim is 16 years of age or older at the time of reporting, contact the Sexual Assault Unit at 905-540-5553
- If the victim is under 16 years of age at the time of reporting, contact 905-546-4925
The Victim Services Branch provides support to survivors throughout the investigative process, in partnership with the Sexual Assault Unit.
Support may include:
- Emotional support
- Safety planning
- Practical assistance
- Referrals to community resources
- Support during police interviews (upon request)
For more information, call 905-546-4904.
A victim impact statement is a written statement that describes how a crime has affected you. This may include physical or emotional harm, property damage, or financial loss. The court considers this statement when sentencing an offender.
Victim impact statements give victims a voice in the criminal justice system by allowing them to explain, in their own words, how the crime has impacted their lives.
You may complete a victim impact statement if you have been affected by a crime, including:
- Individuals who have experienced physical or emotional harm
- Individuals who have suffered financial loss or property damage
- Family members or loved ones affected by a crime
A statement may also be completed by:
- Survivors of a deceased victim
- A parent or guardian of a child victim
- A spouse, partner, dependant, or relative of a victim who is unable to complete a statement
If you choose to prepare a statement, you may present it in several ways:
- Read it aloud in court
- Read it aloud with a support person present
- Read it from behind a screen or outside the courtroom
- Present it in another way approved by the court
Victim impact statements must be completed using a standard form used across Canada. Victim Services can help you obtain the form and provide guidance on completing it.
Click here for more information.
Victim Services Branch
The Victim Services Branch provides 24-hour support to individuals and families impacted by crime or traumatic events. Our staff and specially trained volunteers offer emotional support, practical assistance, safety planning and connections to community resources.
If you need support, call our 24-hour line at 905-546-4904. Our team is here to listen, provide guidance and help connect you with the services you need.
24/7 Crisis Intervention
We provide 24-hour crisis intervention for individuals, families, businesses, and organizations affected by crime or traumatic events. Our team offers immediate support, information, and referrals to help victims cope and begin the recovery process.
Early support can make a significant difference. Prompt intervention helps individuals regain a sense of control and begin healing sooner.
The Victim Quick Response Program (VQRP), provided by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, offers immediate assistance to victims of violent crime, including:
- Homicide and attempted murder
- Serious physical assault
- Domestic violence
- Sexual assault
- Hate-motivated crime
The program aims to reduce the impact of crime, enhance victim safety, and help prevent further harm through timely support and services.
To learn more about eligibility, please contact the Victim Services Branch at 905-546-4904.
Emergency Contact
Call 911
If you are in a life-threatening situation or witnessing a crime in progress, call emergency services immediately
Non-Emergency Line
905-546-4925
Contact Hamilton Police
Have a question or need assistance with a police service? Find the contact information you need to connect with the appropriate team or department.