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A determined group of women started Battered Women's Support Services in 1979. Our goal is the elimination of all violence against girls and women. We have been delivering training and education programs to support service providers and to end violence against girls and women for over 30 years. We provide direct service support and advocacy for girls and women who have experienced abuse, systemic advocacy, law reform, and for 21 years we have delivered a youth engagement in violence prevention program in public and private schools in British Columbia. In our effort to support zero waste and eco fashion, we are solid members of the thrift movement operating My Sister's Closet as a social enterprise in Vancouver, BC. In 2010, we launched The Violence Stops Here campaign, urging men to own their role in ending violence against girls and women

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Programs & Services

Any woman who has experienced abuse in an intimate relationship, childhood sexual abuse or adult sexual assault may access our services. Abuse takes many different forms and BWSS recognizes all types of abuse.

Every woman has the right to be safe and free from violence. BWSS provides a secure environment in which women and young women are free to express themselves without being judged or threatened.

BWSS programs and services include:

  • Crisis Line
  • Counselling & Advocacy
  • Support Groups
  • Aboriginal Women’s Program
  • Legal Advocacy
  • Victims Assistance Program
  • Youth Engagement in Violence Prevention
  • Education & Training
  • My Sister’s Closet – Social Enterprise of Battered Women’s Support Services

 

Learn more about programs and services here.

 

 

  

 

Empowering Women’s Employment Program

As a part of our ongoing commitment to ending violence against women, BWSS offers two specialized, progressive, employment programs that support women who have dealt with issues and the impact of violence and abuse in their lives to move towards independence and self-reliance.

These specialized women’s employment programs, one for Aboriginal women and one for Immigrant women, are designed to provide comprehensive support for each participant, both individually and within a group setting. These programs recognize and address unique barriers facing Aboriginal and Immigrant women and work to empower women to attain their employment goals while building a strong personal foundation. The connections that women make throughout this program will be sustained before, during and after their participation in the program.

 

Learn more about these programs here.

 

  

BWSS is pleased to announce new resource toolkits developed from three years of community engagement work with Immigrant women.

A Toolkit for Lawyers: Best Practices in Working with Battered Immigrant Women and a Toolkit for Immigrant Women Working with a Lawyer. Both toolkits have been fully informed by Immigrant women’s lives and are developed by and for Immigrant women.

The Toolkit for Lawyers provides practical tools for working with battered Immigrant women. It emphasizes the importance of placing women within their larger social context by providing an analysis of the factors impacting Immigrant women’s lives and offers practical tools and strategies for lawyers.

The Toolkit for Immigrant Women Working with a Lawyer provides is filled with tips and tools for Immigrant women working with lawyers and is framed in the cultural background of Immigrant women. The toolkit is available in English, Farsi فارسی, Punjabi ਪੰਜਾਬੀ and Spanish Español.

See a full list of these resources here.

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