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==What if you’re not sure about involving the police?==
If you’re afraid but don’t know about calling the police, the following services can help:
*The Vancouver General Hospital operates a 24-hour [http://www.vch.ca/locations-and-services/find-health-services/?program_id=11809 Domestic Violence Service at Jim Pattison Pavilion – Emergency Department ] (920 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver). It offers clinical counselling services provided to women and men who have been abused by an intimate partner or family member. Services are free under the Medical Services Plan. Call 604.875.5458 or contact Social Worker Department at 604.875.5218.*For more services, visit [http://www.vch.ca/locations-www.vch.ca] and-servicessearch under “[http:/find-health-services/ www.vch.ca/locations-and-services/find-health-services/?program_id=62 domestic violence] and search under “domestic violence””.
==What counselling or similar services are available to help?==
==Some of the services available include the following:==
*'''VictimLINK[http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/criminal-justice/victims-of-crime/victimlinkbc VictimLinkBC]''' is a 24-hour victim’s information and help line. Call toll-free 1.800.563.0808 from anywhere in BC to connect with a Stopping the Violence Counselling or Children Who Witness Abuse Counselling Program in your area.
*The '''[http://www.bwss.org/ Battered Women’s Support Services]''' offers support groups, advocacy, counselling over the telephone and much more. The intake and counselling line is 604.687.1867 and toll-free 1.855.867.1868, and their website is [http://www.bwss.org www.bwss.org].
*The '''[http://www.vlmfss.ca/ Vancouver & Lower Mainland Multicultural Family Support Services Society]''' offers counselling for victims of domestic violence and children who witness abuse, and can provide a translator for police or court interviews. The phone number is 604.436.1025, and the agency is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm from Monday to Friday. See their website at [http://www.vlmfss.ca www.vlmfss.ca].
*'''[http://www.fsgv.ca/ Family Services of Greater Vancouver]''' offers a wide variety of services for victims of domestic violence, including programs relating to abuse prevention and trauma. Call 604.731.4951 or see check their website at [http://www.fsgv.ca www.fsgv.ca]. Also, in partnership with Family Services, the Vancouver Police Department operates a Domestic Violence and Criminal Harassment Unit that provides follow-up, especially if your partner has assaulted you violently or often.
*The '''[http://www.bcsth.ca/ BC/Yukon Society of Transition Houses]''' offers safe temporary shelter for up to 30 days for women and children experiencing domestic violence. They also offer group and individual counselling for children and youth who witness family conflicts and violence. Contact the society at 604.669.6943 in Vancouver or 1.800.661.1040 elsewhere in BC; also check their website at [http://www.bcsth.ca www.bcsth.ca].
*'''[http://www.rapereliefshelter.bc.ca/ Vancouver Rape Relief & Women’s Shelter]''' operates a transition house for women and their children and a 24 crisis line for women who are trying to prevent or escape male violence. Call crisis line anytime at 604.872.8212, and check their website at [http://www.rapereliefshelter.bc.ca www.rapereliefshelter.bc.ca].
*Check a '''Directory of Victim Services and Violence Against Women Programs''' at [http://www.pssgwww2.gov.bc.ca/victimservicesgov/directorycontent/justice/criminal-justice/ www.pssg.gov.bc.cavictims-of-crime/victimservicesservice-providers/directory/-of-victim-service-and-violence-against-women-programs Directory of Victim Service and Violence Against Women Programs]'''.
==What about criminal court as an option?==
Other sources of free legal advice include:
*[http://www.supremecourtselfhelp.bc.ca/ Supreme Court Self Help Centre ] in Vancouver, .*[http://www.supremecourtselfhelp.bcaccessprobono.ca www.supremecourtselfhelp.bc.ca].*/ Access Probono ] at 604.878.7400 or 1.877.762.6664, .*[http://www.accessprobonoag.ca wwwgov.accessprobonobc.ca].*/justice-access-centre/Justice Access Center ] in Vancouver (604.660.2084), Nanaimo (1.800.578.8511) and Victoria (250.356.7012), [http://www.ag.gov.bc.ca/justice-access-centre/ www.ag.gov.bc.ca/justice-access-centre/].
==Where can you find more information?==
*Refer to script [[Applying for a Peace Bond and Filing Assault Charges (Script 217)|217]] on “Applying for a Peace Bond and Filing Assault Charges”.
*See the provincial government’s Victim Services website at [http://www.pssgwww2.gov.bc.ca/victimservices www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/victimservicescontent/justice/criminal-justice/bcs-criminal-justice-system/if-you-are-a-victim-of-a-crime Victim Services website].*Read the booklet [http://www.legalaid.bc.ca/publications/pub.php?pub=348 Surviving Relationship Violence and Abuse ] by the Legal Services Society, BC and available free on their website at [http://www.legalaid.bc.ca / www.legalaid.bc.ca]. To find it, click “Our publications” then under “I want to find a publication by subject”, click “Abuse & Family violence”.*Also see the Legal Services Society’s Family Law in BC website at [http://www.familylaw.lss.bc.ca www.familylaw.lss.bc/ Family Law in BC website].ca], – under Under “Your legal issue,” click “[http://www.familylaw.lss.bc.ca/legal_issues/abuseabuseBasics.aspx php Abuseand family violence]”.