Battered Women's Support Services

About Us

A small but determined group of women started Battered Women's Support Services in 1979. Twenty-five years later, BWSS has grown into a strong and dynamic organization. We continue to provide support and advocacy for women who have experienced abuse, as well as education about violence against women. As part of the feminist anti-violence movement, our long-term goal is the elimination of all violence against women.

BWSS provides:

• Counselling and advocacy, support groups, information and referrals for battered women
• Training and education on violence against women for a wide range of audiences, from youth to professionals
• My Sister's Closet, a thrift boutique, where battered women can get vouchers for free clothing and household items
• Rewarding and educational volunteer opportunities

All our services are provided by trained counsellor/advocates who work from a feminist, anti-oppression perspective. Our services are open to all women, including Aboriginal women, women of colour, immigrant women of colour, young women, women with disabilities and lesbians.

BWSS is located in downtown Vancouver, BC, Canada. We provide services to women throughout the Lower Mainland. We are a non-profit agency funded by the Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services and the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, with additional funding from the Law Foundation of BC, Victoria Foundation, City of Vancouver, VanCity and the United Way of the Lower Mainland.

We also rely on private donations.

Mission Statement

Purpose

1. To provide education, advocacy and support services to assist all battered women.
2. To work toward the elimination of woman abuse.
3. To work from a feminist perspective (one that promotes equality for all women).

Goals

1. To offer emotional support, advocacy, referrals and information to battered women who call or visit BWSS.
2. To offer support groups for battered women in the city of Vancouver.
3. To work towards the elimination of barriers to our services for lesbains, Aboriginal women, women of colour, immigrant women, prostitutes, differently abled women and women of all ages, classes and cultures.
4. To provide training for BWSS support group facilitators and peer counsellors.
5. To offer training of support group facilitators and peer counsellors for battered women throughout British Columbia.
6. To do educational work on the issue of woman abuse for women's groups, professionals and the general public.
7. To develop and exchange information and materials on woman abuse with other groups and individuals working on the issue.
8. To advocate for change in social systems so that they are accountable, effective and accessible for battered women.

Statement of Philosophy

BWSS is a feminist organization. We believe that battering does not take place between two people individually, in isolation, but in a social context, and is rooted in the oppression of women. Further, we believe that battering is the result of a world view which supports the right of some people to oppress others. That right is granted by the privilege of status associated with gender, race, religion, class, sexual orientation, age and physical ability.

→back to top