About
Unsafe at Home Ottawa is a secure text and online chat service for women and members of LGBTQ2S+ communities in Ottawa and Lanark County who may be living through increased violence and abuse at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our personnel provides emotional support, practical advice and referrals using encrypted technology so conversations are confidential and secure.
We can help you:
- Talk about how you’re feeling
- Create a safety plan to reduce your risk of harm
- Get you the services you need for support
- Cope with your situation during this period of physical distancing
You are not alone.
You are loved.
We’re here to help.
Connect with us
Our text and online chat service is available 7 days a week from 8:30 am to midnight. Your conversations with our personnel are confidential and secure.
How it works
You can chat online with us or text us. We’re here for you. Our trained personnel will give you support, information, resources and safety planning ideas. There are two ways to reach us:
When you connect with us, the first few messages you receive from us will be automated. These will give you more information about the service and our confidentiality policy.
Stay safe and cope
For many, this challenging period of physical distancing means a rise in intimate partner or family violence and domestic abuse. This might mean verbal abuse, emotional abuse, or physical or sexual violence. So how can you stay safe at home or cope with your situation?
Here are some helpful resources:
- Safety planning during COVID-19 (Sanctuary for Families)
- How to use mindfulness to cope with trauma (Stop Domestic Violence)
- How to practice being mindful (verywellmind)
- Domestic Abusers Can Control Your Devices. Here’s How to Fight Back (New York Times)
Times like this call for us to take care of each other.
We’re here for you.
Reach out if you need support.
COVID-19 services
Do you feel alone and unsafe during this period of physical distancing?
Are you dealing with physical, emotional, sexual, or other kinds of abuse at home?
Reach out for help now.
Learn about where you can access support during the pandemic, including telephone support and walk-in services in:
If you’re in immediate danger, please call 911.
Who we are
Unsafe at Home Ottawa launched in April 2020 to offer those living with abuse or violence during the COVID-19 pandemic a safe space to reach out for help. This community-based initiative is staffed by experienced, bilingual personnel. We are committed to treating women and members of LGBTQ2S+ communities with compassion and respect for their dignity, privacy and diversity during this difficult time.
Our Partners
The safe text and chat line provides counselling services offered through:
- Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre
- Interval House of Ottawa
- Ottawa Victim Services
- Western Ottawa Resource Centre
Special thanks to:
- Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women and Crime Prevention Ottawa, who led the launch of this service
- Kind Space for offering support for LGBTQ2S+ communities
- Ottawa Police Service and all partners for promoting Unsafe at Home Ottawa
If your organization wants to launch a similar safe text+chat in your community, please email info(at)octevaw-cocvff.ca for information and resources.
