Sexual Violence - How Can DWS Help?
May is Sexual Violence Prevention Month
Image Description: Text ‘Sexual Violence: How DWS Can Help.’ on a background of purple northern lights with illustrations of many different people.
No one plans to be sexually assaulted. For many survivors, because of cultural misunderstandings and misinformation about what violence and abuse actually is, they don’t realized that what happened was sexual assault.
DWS Has Got Your Back
May being Sexual Assault Prevention Month is a great time to let folks know about how DWS can help survivors and their supporters.
24 Hour Support
Survivors of sexual violence and their friends and families can call DWS’ Support Line 24 hours a day, seven days a week - 867.993.5086.
When folks call they will get confidential, non-judgmental support and listening.
You can call about:
Getting validation that you didn’t cause the abuse and that you are not alone
Ideas on how to increase your safety
Local resources that might help
Learning more about why violence happens and about dynamics of power and control
Options on what you might do after a recent assault whether emotional, medical, or legal
Another 24 hour support in Yukon is SART (Sexualized Assault Response Team): 1-844-967-7275
Third Party Reporting
In a Third Party Report (sometimes called anonymous reporting), the survivor gives information about the sexualized assault to an agency not connected to the RCMP - in Dawson City that’s either DWS or Victim Services.
Third Party Reporting through DWS is an option for survivors of sexualized assault who are 19 years old or older.
Read more information about Third Party Reporting.
A Safe Place
Most survivors know the person who hurt them. Many are in a relationship or are living with the perpetrator.
If you are in need of an immediate safe place to stay in Dawson City, please call Dawson Women’s Shelter: 867.993.5086.
Dawson Women’s Shelter is more than just a bed. We try our best to create a space that is homey and welcoming.
We truly believe that survivors are the experts of their own lives. As staff we are here to support your decisions.
While staying with us you have the option of:
Supportive listening and validation from trained staff
Safety planning
Access to food and personal supplies - toiletries, menstrual supplies, bedding, and more
Help finding your new home or creating safety in your current home
Support finding a safe place for your pet
Working on Prevention
We think a world without sexual violence is possible. We’re looking forward to a future where shelters and centres for gender-based and sexual violence don’t have to exist anymore.
DWS offers workshops and events on consent, bystander intervention, supporting survivors, and so much more!
Support For Allies
Most survivors never tell a helping professional about the abuse, so friends, families, co-workers, and classmates have a big role to play in supporting survivors.
Folks supporting survivors can call DWS’ 24 Hour Support Line to chat confidentially about:
Common responses to sexual violence as well as the myths and lies we are taught about sexual violence
Options available after a recent sexual assault: emotional, medical, and legal
Debriefing about the realities of what it is like to support a friend who’s been sexually assaulted
Options and resources in Dawson City and Yukon Territory
Validation and supportive listening
Caring for yourself while supporting a friend
More supports
YUKON SUPPORTS
Women’s Shelters:
Whitehorse
24 Hour Crisis Line - 867.668.5733
Dawson City
Dawson Women’s Shelter
24 Hour Support Line - 867.993.5086
Watson Lake
24 Hour Crisis Line - 867.536.7233
SART - Sexualized Assault Response Team
24 hour Yukon-based support for someone who has been sexually assaulted or their supporters. 1-844-967-7275
Victim Services provides help for victims dealing with a range of different crimes. It does not matter whether the victim has reported the crime, a charge has been laid or if there has been a conviction. We provide services to all people affected by a crime.
Whitehorse - 867-667-8500
Dawson City - 867-993-5831
CMHA Reach Out Support Line
Operates from 10am to 2am seven days a week with trained volunteers who will listen, support and help callers find options. 1-844-533-3030
Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services provides a variety of services, including individual counselling, outreach services, and community support. 1-866-456-3838
Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Support Centre
Wellness is an important part of our spirit. The TH Wellness team uses a traditional approach to help our citizens. 867.993.7100 x164.
CANADA-WIDE SUPPORTS
Assaulted Women’s Helpline
Toll-free: 1 866-863-0511
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Support Line
a national, toll-free 24/7 crisis call line providing support for anyone who requires emotional assistance related to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. 1-844-413-6649
National Indian Residential School Crisis Line
Provides 24-hour crisis support to former Indian Residential School students and their families toll-free at 1-866-925-4419.
Hope for Wellness Help Line
Available to all Indigenous peoples across Canada who need immediate crisis intervention. Experienced and culturally sensitive help line counsellors can help if you want to talk or are distressed. 1-855-242-3310
Trans Lifeline’s Hotline is a peer support service run by trans people, for trans and questioning callers. Our operators are located all over the U.S. and Canada, and are all trans-identified. We will do our best to support you and provide you resources. 1-877-330-6366.
Available to all Canadians seeking support. If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call the Canada Suicide Prevention Service at 1-833-456-4566 (24/7) or text 45645 (7PM - 3AM PST).
Available 24 hours a day to Canadians aged 5 to 29 who want confidential and anonymous care from professional counsellors. Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868
