On the frontline since 1979.
Battered Women’s Support Services provides education, advocacy, and support services to assist all victims and survivors in our aim to work towards the elimination of gender-based violence and to work from a feminist perspective that promotes gender equity.
Legal Services and Advocacy Program
We provide legal services and advocacy because we know that for women leaving abusive relationships, the complication of dealing with the power and control issues of a violent spouse makes navigating the legal system more difficult.
Community Engagement
Battered Women’s Support services provides many opportunities for you to work with us.
If you believe that all gender based violence must end, then check out our violence prevention opportunities for allies.
Support for survivors and victims of gender based violence
You have the right to be safe and free from violence.
Anyone who has experienced gender based violence, abuse in an intimate relationship, childhood sexual abuse or adult sexual assault may access our services.
Research and Policy
We provide critical data, research, and policy analytics to grassroots and community-based organizing campaigns.
This strengthens our impact by mobilizing community-based experiences and evidence-informed resources from an intersectional, anti-oppressive, feminist and critical race theory, analysis, and practice.
Special Projects and Initiatives
Battered Women’s Support Services hosts and produces special projects and grassroots collaborations that include research & policy analysis, strategic interventions, advertising campaigns, conferences, and more.
My Sister’s Closet
A Social Enterprise of BWSS
We are solid members of the zero waste, eco fashion, and the thrift movement. 100 percent of revenue generated from sales help fund the violence prevention and intervention services and programs operated by BWSS.
Professional Training & Presentations
Since 1979 BWSS has developed curriculum and delivered training workshops based on an empowerment model.
Our curriculum is grounded in theoretical foundations, current research, practical skills.
women died in Canada due to gender-based violence in 2021
%
were killed in their own home or the home they shared with the accused
%
Canadian girls have been harassed or abused online
BWSS had 94,736 requests service from March 1, 2020 – March 31, 2022
With your help we responded to 94,736 requests for service
More than a third of all women, girls, and gender-diverse folks worldwide will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.
We are working to change that.
End Violence with Your Inbox
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Ending Violence Blog
Our advocacy work extends to our award winning Ending Violence Blog where we provide resources and information to end gender based violence.
BC Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Award
BWSS is honoured to receive the BC Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Award. Attorney General Niki Sharma and Mable Elmore, Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism Initiatives, awarded Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS) with a Breaking Barriers Award.
BWSS Commemorates the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
BWSS Commemorates the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination March 21, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, marks the anniversary of the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre in South Africa when police opened fire on...
Joint Submission on Social Work Oversight to MCFD
As part of a coalition of organizations, including our friends West Coast LEAF, Rise Women’s Legal Center, and Feminists Deliver, Battered Women’s Support Services has written to the Ministry of Child and Family Development (MCFD) on necessary reforms to social work...