Local resources
Elder Abuse Line—Penticton (intake office)
Telephone: 250-770-3476
Act as consultants, educators and facilitators in supporting vulnerable adults who are abused, neglected or self-neglected. Hours of operation: Mon to Fri: 8:30 am – 4:00 p.m.
Okanagan Nation Family Intervention and Services Society (ONFISS)
R.R. 2, Site 80, Comp 19, Penticton, B.C. V2A 6J7
Transition House: 250-493-4902 Fax: 250-493-4952 email: pam_louis@shaw.ca
Administration: 250-493-0048
The Society takes action for the recognition, support and implementation of Aboriginal people in the Okanagan Nation who have issues of violence, abuse, neglect and homelessness to secure a safe place to live in peace and dignity.
Penticton & Area Women’s Centre
Support and referrals for women who are affected by violence.
209, 304 Martin Street, Penticton, B.C. V2A 5K4
Telephone: 250-493-6822 Fax: 250-493-6827 Toll-free: 1-866-493-6822
email: info@pawc.ca www.pawc.ca
Peace Bonds
Call your local police station and tell them that you need a peace bond. For support with arranging a peace bond, see South Okanagan Victim Assistance, Police Based Victim Services, Family Duty Counsel.
Telephone: 250-492-4300. If you are in danger, call 911.
RCMP Victim Services
Oliver: 250-498-4353 Osoyoos: 250-495-2561 Princeton: 250-295-7901
Penticton/Summerland: 250-770-4713 (Fax: 770-4751)
Services provided to any person who has been a victim of or witnessed a crime or a trauma.
Assistance with: crisis intervention, practical assistance, emotional support, information on police investigation, accompany to court, Crime Victims Assistance application, referral. www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/victim_services
South Okanagan Safe Home Project
Temporary shelter for women and their children seeking refuge from abuse.
Stopping the Violence Women’s Counselling Program and Children Who Witness Abuse Programs
Desert Sun Counselling & Resource Centre, Oliver, B.C.
Telephone: 250-498-2538 Fax: 250-498-6088 Toll-free: 1-877-723-3911
South Okanagan Victim Assistance Society, Victim Assistance Program
204-304 Martin Street, Penticton BC V2A 5K4
Telephone: 250-493-0800 (collect calls accepted) Fax: 250-493-2241 email: sovas@telus.net www.sovas.ca
Hours of Operation: Mon-Thursday, 8:30 am– 4:30 p.m., and Fridays by appointment
SOVAS is a non-profit society that provides individualized support services to women, children and men of all backgrounds who have been affected by relationship or family violence, sexual assault, child abuse, historical abuse, stalking or harassment. Experienced support workers provide information and assistance regarding reporting a crime (what may happen), accessing resources (ie: counselling), understanding the justice system, communicating with Crown Counsel or the RCMP, the progress of the police investigation and court case, your role in the process, testifying in court, accompaniment to court and other appointments, filling out forms etc. They also provide on-going emotional support through the process.
South Okanagan Women In Need Society
Emergency shelter for women who are experiencing abuse. Outreach program: advocacy services: assistance with understanding and protecting your rights when dealing with government, legal and community agencies. Help making calls, letter writing and attending appointments. Completion of disability assessor reports for women who have experienced abuse. Individual and group counselling, safety planning, family court support. Safe Home Program for Older Women; Children Who Witness Abuse Counselling Program. 24 telephone support.
Office: 218, 246 Martin Street, Penticton, B.C. V2A 5K3
Administration: 250-493-4366 Fax: 250-493-3158 email: sowins@telus.net
Transition House: 250-493-7233 Toll-free: 1-800-814-2033 www.sowins.com
Stopping the Violence Program, Women's Counselling, Programs for Children Who Witness Abuse - Keremeos
Call the Lower Similkameen Community Services Society (LSCSS) at 250-499-2352 ext 106 to speak to Anda. She may also be able to help women looking for a Safe House.
Sexual Harassment & Assault of Seasonally Employed Women
A useful brochure is: Safe harvest: Stop Sexual Harassment. A campaign to prevent violence against seasonally employed women. Provides information about avoiding sexual harassment and assault and resources when violence has occurred. Also available in Punjabi, French & Spanish. Available from Penticton & Area Women’s Centre; South Okanagan Victim Assistance Society.
Public Guardian and Trustee British Columbia
Helping adults who cannot manage their own financial, legal and personal care matters get support; receive reports of abuse or neglect.
Telephone: 604-660-4444 Fax: 604-660-0374 email: mail@trustee.bc.ca
Toll-free through Enquiry BC: 1-800-663-7867 www.trustee.bc.ca
VictimLINK
A 24-hour, 7 day a week, province-wide telephone service. Provides service in 130 languages, including 17 North American aboriginal languages. Provides information and referrals to all victims of crime, and crisis support to victims of family and sexual violence, including sexual assault, violence in relationships, elder abuse, and adult survivors of physical or sexual abuse.
Toll-free: 1-800-563-0808 TTY: 604-875-0885 www.vcn.bc.ca/isv/victims.htm
Shelternet www.shelternet.ca
Provides information for abused women in Canada. Useful information about whether it is safe for women in abusive relations to use home internet to find resources about abuse.
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