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 2020
%
were killed in their own home or the home they shared with the accused
%
Canadian girls have been harassed or abused online
%
BWSS had 31,959 requests service in 2020, a 415% increase from last year
With your help we responded to 31,959 requests for service in 2020
Your gift makes it possible for us to stay on the frontline 24/7 to provide crisis support, counselling, support groups, legal advocacy, employment counselling, housing support and outreach.
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
Sign up to receive updates as together we take action to end violence against women and girls.
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.
Registration Now Open: Violence Prevention & Intervention Training Fall 2022
“Volunteering with BWSS is life changing. You learn so much and it’s very empowering and healing to support other women.” -BWSS Volunteer Take action! Register now for BWSS “life changing” world renowned training. We are now taking applications for our Fall 2022...
BC REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE MANIFESTO
WE STILL HAVE WORK TO DO IN BRITISH COLUMBIA AND CANADA Re-blogged from Reproductive Justice Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) advocates in BC and across Canada have joined their voices together to demand reproductive justice. Advocates are calling on the federal...
BWSS Recommendations to BC Budget 2023 Consultation
Anyone living in the province can share their ideas and priorities for the next provincial budget in 2023. Every year, the provincial Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services holds a public consultation on the next provincial budget, and then...