Crimes and Tickets

Resources for Victims of Crime: Assistance and Accompaniment

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Victims of crime may need support to help them overcome the trauma they suffered. Several assistance and accompaniment resources in Quebec offer psychological, medical, and social support.  

There’s no requirement for victims to file a police report to use these services, which are all free of charge and confidential.

Resources for victims of all types of crimes

CAVACs are non-profit organizations that offer front-line services to all crime victims and their loved ones, regardless of the type of crime involved. CAVACs are located throughout Quebec, and they also have offices in courthouses.

CAVACs offer various types of services:

  • information and accompaniment throughout the legal process
  • post-traumatic and psychosocial intervention

Call 1 866 LE CAVAC (532-2822) to find the CAVAC nearest you and to make an appointment.

Resources for victims of sexual violence

This telephone helpline is intended for victims of sexual violence and their loved ones as well as for frontline workers. A specially trained team receives the calls, provides information, and directs victims to the nearest assistance and protection resources.

You can call any time at 1-888-933-9007.

  • Designated centres

Designated centres are establishments within the health and social services network selected to offer specialized assistance to victims of sexual violence. Intervention teams are trained to provide medical and psychological care to victims. Designated centres also have staff who are trained to do forensic DNA analysis (i.e., a rape kit) following a sexual assault.

You can call the Sexual Violence Helpline at 1-888-933-9007 or consult their website to find a designated centre near you.

CALACS are non-profit organizations that offer assistance, support, and accompaniment services to women and girls who are victims of sexual violence. The centres are located in many regions of Quebec.

Services are available in person or over the phone. Refer to the list of CALACS to find one near you.

Rebâtir (rebuild) is a free, confidential service offered by legal aid lawyers. You can get 4 hours of legal advice if you are experiencing sexual violence or domestic violence. You can call 1-833-REBÂTIR (732-2847) every day between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm or visit their website.

CRIPHASE is a non-profit organization that offers assistance and psychosocial help to men who were sexually abused during childhood or adolescence. The organization offers various types of interventions, such as individual and group meetings.

The services are available in Montreal. Call 514-529-5567 to reach their office. Resources for men are also available in other regions of Quebec.

This phone line provides information to victims of domestic or sexual violence. They particularly give information on reporting a crime to the police and they can explain how the justice system works.

Call 1-877-547-DPCP (3727).

  • L’Aparté (resources for harassment and sexual violence in cultural settings) (French only)

L’Aparté offers front-line services for to people from cultural backgrounds who experienced or witnessed harassment or sexual violence.

You can call 1-833-LAPARTE (527-2783) or visit their website.

Resources for victims of domestic violence

SOS violence conjugale offers information, support, and referral services to victims of domestic violence and other people affected by this problem. 

You can call the phone line 24/7 at 1-800-363-9010.

  • Shelters for victims of domestic violence

Shelters throughout Quebec provide assistance to victims of domestic violence (women and their children). They offer housing, intake services, information, support, and accompaniment.

You can call SOS violence conjugale at 1-800-363-9010 to find the locations of shelters. You can also refer to the list of shelters that are members of the Regroupement des maisons pour femmes victimes de violence conjugale (association of shelters for victims of domestic violence) or the list of the Fédération des maisons d’hébergement pour femmes (federation of women’s shelters) (French only).

Rebâtir (rebuild) is a free, confidential service offered by legal aid lawyers. You can get 4 hours of legal advice if you are experiencing sexual violence or domestic violence. You can call 1-833-REBÂTIR (732-2847) every day between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm or visit their website.

This phone line provides information to victims of domestic or sexual violence. They particularly give information on reporting a crime to the police and can explain how the justice system works.

Call 1-877-547-DPCP (3727).

Resources for Indigenous people

Native Friendship Centres are non-profit organizations that offer various assistance and support services to Indigenous people, specifically victims of crime. These centres are located throughout Quebec.

They provide services in person. Consult the list of Native Friendship Centres or call 418-842-6354 to find the contact information for the centre nearest you.

Sexual and gender diversity resource

Interligne is a non-profit organization that offers help and information to people concerned with sexual diversity and gender plurality. You can call them 24/7 at 1-888-505-1010 or chat with them through their website.

Interligne also offers a telephone legal clinic that you can call at 1-888-970-2720 on Tuesdays from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Sexual harassment at work

The G.A.I.H.S.T. is a non-profit organization that offers psychological help, information, and accompaniment for victims of psychological and sexual harassment in the workplace.

Services are offered in person in Montreal or by phone at 514-526-0789.

Resources for seniors

The Elder Mistreatment Hotline (Ligne Aide Abus Ainés) is a telephone helpline and referral service for seniors who are being exploited, abused, or neglected. It provides assistance for their loved ones as well.

You can reach them at 1-888-489-2287.

Resources for obtaining financial compensation

In addition to obtaining assistance and accompaniment, victims can also request financial compensation following a criminal act. Various programs and remedies are available depending on the situation. For more information, consult our complete list of available programs and remedies.

Are you eligible for legal aid?

Legal aid provides low-income people with the services of a lawyer for free or at a low cost. Eligibility for legal aid depends on several factors, in particular your income and assets.

For more information see our article Legal Aid: Do I Qualify?