Sexual Assault Resources
Assaulted Women’s Helpline
This helpline provides assistance to victims of assault and is available 24 hours/day.
Phone: 416-863-0511
Toll Free: 1-866-863-0511
TTY: 1-866-863-7868
Mobile: #7233
Website: awhl.org
Rape Crisis Centre/Multicultual Women Against Rape
This collective provides free, confidential assistance 24 hours/day to survivors of sexual violence, regardless of how recent or long ago the assault took place. Services are also available in Spanish.
Phone: 416-597-1171
Email: info@trccmwar.ca
Website: trccmwar.ca
Hadley School for the Blind
The Hadley School offers an extension education course in “Personal Safety: Self-Defense Strategies.”
Phone: 1-800-323-4238 or 847-446-8111
Website: hadley-school.org
WEN-DO
Wen-Do offers self-defence courses by and for women. As explained on the Wen-Do website, the courses are based on a variety of martial arts techniques and accommodate women’s and girls’ size and strength differences. The basic courses also teach avoidance strategies and verbal self-defence skills.
Wen-Do offers a sliding scale of course fees. They also have a certified instructor with experience teaching Wen-Do to women who have impaired vision. She can be reached directly at 416-698-7203.
Phone: 416-929-3636
Email: info@wendo.ca
Website: wendo.ca
Resources from BALANCE for Blind Adults
“Becoming a Streetwise Traveller”by Charlene White retired BALANCE Orientation & Mobility Specialist
This comprehensive article outlines strategies for travelling safely in the community. It includes sections on emergency procedures, safe use of public transit, assertiveness skills, and protection against assault, robbery, and unwanted intervention from strangers. Addressed to both women and men alike, “Becoming a Streetwise Traveller” helps those who are visually impaired to increase the control they have over their lives and movements. This BALANCE resource also includes a useful list of community services.