Frequently Asked Questions
Embrave Agency to End Violence supports survivors of gender-based violence and their children impacted by gender-based violence.
If you have a question about Embrave and our services, take a look at the frequently asked questions below. Want to learn more? Please reach out to us and call our crisis line at 905-403-0864 to speak with a counsellor!
Gender based violence is violence that is rooted in gendered power dynamics.
It recognizes a power imbalance between the perpetrator and the person experiencing violence, and that power imbalance is based in gender dynamics. it disproportionately experienced by women, girls, non-binary, gender-diverse, trans and Two-Spirit people.
There are many different forms of gender-based violence:
- Physical (for example: hitting, pushing, choking, confining, or grabbing)
- Psychological or emotional (for example: put-downs, name-calling, threats, manipulative or frightening actions)
- Sexual (for example: sexual assault, sexual coercion, forcing them to engage in degrading or harmful sexual activity, making them watch or engage in sexual acts that they do not agree to)
- Economic (for example: taking or withholding their income, or not letting them take part in financial decisions; keeping them from taking on paid work or disrupting their paid work)
- Spiritual (for example: belittling or limiting their ability to take part in spiritual activities)
- Stalking/harassment (for example: following someone, showing up uninvited to work, constant emails / phone calls)
- Cyber (for example: posting demeaning messages, sharing explicit photos without permission, spreading gossip/rumors online)
- Human Trafficking & Exploitation
Embrave’s definition of gender based violence includes; intimate partner violence; sexual assault; sexual harassment; cyber violence; physical, emotional and financial violence; stalking; structural and systemic violence.
Embrave’s Services
We have many programs and servcies available for survivors of violence – including employment supports.
Yes, our Food and Nutritional Worker will meet with you to ensure all your dietary and cultural food needs are met.
Recognizing that individuals may experience visible, invisible or both types of disability and we are committed to supporting you by:
- Working to create accessible infrastructures.
- Providing an accessibility bedroom.
- Providing assistive devices such as TTY and video relay service.
- Providing ASL interpreters.
- Challenging ableist behaviours, comments and language.
- Completing the Accessibility Training in Ontario to ensure the AODA Standards are followed.
- Using accessible language when explaining shelter policies.
- Understanding higher rates of violence and isolation of folks with disabilities due to ableism.
- Programming that considers access needs (physical, literacy, neurodiversity).
Yes, our servcies are available to survivors regardless of immigration status. Our counsellors can support you with immigation matters.
Yes! Clients staying in our shelter programs have access to a Legal Advocate and clients who are connected to our Community Support and Outreach Program will also receive support with their legal matters (i.e. Family, Criminal, Immigration).
One of our organizational values is Harm Reduction. We provide the following Harm Reduction Supports:
- Naloxone Kits Safer Inhalation Kits
- Safer Injection Kits
- Self-harm/cutting Kits
- Bad Date Report
- Bad Drug Report
- Non-denial of services based on substance use, sex work and/or behaviours associated to “self-harm/self-injury”
- Advocate for individuals when navigating the systems or other services
- Understanding substance use and the connection to trauma
- Referrals based on similar frameworks
- Safety planning
- Understanding the contradictions and nuances that exist, where we have a harm reduction philosophy and yet we have guidelines against using in the shelter
- Curfew does not apply for sex work and does not constitute an overnight stay
- Client-centred approach: we are comfortable having open conversations and we can acknowledge own biases to offer a safer space.
We provide supports to survivors of violence with or without children. We have Child and Youth staff at both shelter locations that provide supports to your children.
Yes – we provide supports to survivors of all forms of gender-based violence, including sexual violence.
Yes – one of our counsellors in the Community Support and Outreach Program can help you with this.
Yes – Embrave offers many public education opportunities related to gender-based violence, including training, workshops and speaking engagements. Email Rebecca Pacheco to learn more – rebeccap@embrave.ca
Yes – Embrave offers supports to survivors of human trafficking, including sex and labour exploitation. For more information reach out to our crisis line at 905-403-0864 to speak with a counsellor.
We offer many programs and services to support survivors of violence. Embrave works within a feminist, anti-oppressive, anti-racist, disability justice, sex work positive and harm reduction framework.
Yes – we offer counselling services and supports to survivors accessing our supports.
Indigenous clients can access all of our programs and services. We work from an anti-colonialism framework. We understand the historical and ongoing violence of the colonization against Indigenous Peoples resulting in intergenerational trauma.
We make space for folks to engage in traditional and cultural practices and modes of healing.
Great question! We have had many survivors of violence ask us this in the past so we have created a virtual tour of our shelter spaces. If you have more questions call our crisis line at 905-403-0864 to speak with a counsellor.
Eligibility
Embrave Agency to End Violence is an anti-violence organization providing shelter, counselling and advocacy supports for women, Two-Spirit, gender queer, trans and non-binary folks and their children experiencing any form of violence in the Region of Peel and beyond. We support survivors with and without children. All women and two-spirit, genderqueer, trans and non-binary people who are 16 years of age and older, with or without dependents, and who have experienced, are currently experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing any form of violence can acess our shelter program.
Embrave Agency to End Violence is an anti-violence organization providing shelter, counselling and advocacy supports for women, Two-Spirit, gender queer, trans and non-binary folks and their children experiencing any form of violence in the Region of Peel and beyond. We support survivors with and without children.
Embrave’s catchment area in the Region of Peel, however, our services are available to you regardless of your geographical location based on individual circumstances.
Yes, our programs and services are available for Two-Spirit, gender queer, trans and non-binary folks. We do not provide services to Cisgender men.
Yes, sex work is work. We believe in and advoate for sex workers rights. Sex workers deserve to have their choices respected and be able to work safely, without fear of violence, discrimination and social stigma. You are welcome here.
All of our supports and services are free for survivors of violence.
Getting in Touch!
The best way to contact us to inquire about our program and servcies is over the telephone. Please call our crisis line at 905-403-0864 to speak with a counsellor.
If you would like more information about how to access our program and services you can call our crisis line at 905-403-0864 to speak with a counsellor. If you would like to contact us regarding another matter please click this link for our staff directory.
This is a question one of our counsellors would be happy to answer. Please call them at 905-403-0864.
We are glad your friend or family member has you for support. You can help by telling them that you believe and support them. There is also a lot of information that can be found in our Safety Planning Booket. You can also call our crisis line at 905-403-0864 to speak with a counsellor.