Are You in Crisis?

CALL 911 IF YOU OR OTHERS ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER OF HARM OR SERIOUSLY INJURED

For assistance with non-emergency crisis situations, click on the tabs below to learn about the different resources available to you.

REACH OUT
ASSESS RISK
SAFETY PLAN
LEGAL REMEDIES

Help is always just a phone call (or mouse click) away!

Women in Transition House

Phone: (506) 459-2300

Women in Transition House is an emergency shelter that also operates a crisis phone line, which is available 24/7. Staff are trained to be supportive and to respond to the needs of abused women in crisis.

Gignoo Transition House

Phone: 1-800-565-6878
Live Chat: gignoohouse.ca

Gignoo Transition House is an emergency shelter that also operates a crisis phone line and live chat service, both of which are available 24/7. Gignoo is primarily for Indigenous women and children experiencing domestic violence, but serves non-Indigenous women and children as well.

Sexual Violence New Brunswick (SVNB)

Phone: (506) 454-0437

SVNB operates a support line from 5 pm - 8 am daily for anyone impacted by sexual violence.

Chimo Helpline

Phone: 1-800-667-5005
Live Chat: chimohelpline.ca (5 pm - midnight)

Chimo Helpline is a provincial crisis phone line, accessible 24/7 to all residents of New Brunswick. A live chat option is also available in the evenings.

Mobile Crisis Services

Phone: (506) 453-2132

The Mobile Crisis Team provides a range of crisis intervention services in a person's own environment or the environment of their choice. The Team is accessible between noon and 10 pm daily.

Unfortunately, domestic violence can have severe and sometimes fatal consequences for victims and their children. Research has shown that certain factors are associated with an increased likelihood that a victim will be seriously injured or killed by their partner.

The following are red flags for elevated risks to safety:

couple has recently separated (within the past year) and the victim is planning to leave
increase in frequency/severity of abuse (especially physical abuse)
abuser has access to weapons/owns a gun
abuse involves weapons/threats with a weapon (especially a lethal one)
abuse involves threats to harm/kill partner, or threats against children, pets, or property
abuse involves forced sex or choking
abuse involves harassing/stalking behaviours (e.g., following, spying, unwanted communication)
abuser is severely controlling (e.g., tries to manage most/ all of partner’s daily activities) and jealous (e.g., “if I can’t have you, no one can”)
abuser avoids arrest for domestic violence (not necessarily active avoidance)
abuser has a criminal record or history of abuse with partners/others
abuser is unemployed or has trouble keeping a job
abuser uses illegal drugs or is an alcoholic/problem drinker
abuser has a history of mental illness
abuser threatens/tries to commit suicide
physical abuse during pregnancy
partner has child(ren) from a previous relationship
partner believes abuser has capacity to kill OR is largely unaware of the risk

Generally speaking, as the number of these red flags increase, so does the risk to safety. A professional risk assessment can be done to better gauge a victim’s level of risk and, in turn, help to manage it. To request a professional risk assessment, call Liberty Lane Outreach or one of the local transition houses.

Safety planning is the creation of an action plan to help mitigate a victim’s level of risk. It is a process of answering questions such as:

What would you do if you felt threatened by your abuser?
How would you reach out for help if you were in immediate danger?
Where would you go if you decided to leave your abuser?
Who could you turn to for support?

Here are some templates to guide you through the process of creating a safety plan:

Safety planning is one of the services we offer at Liberty Lane. Feel free to Liberty Lane Outreach to request a consultation.

Many acts of domestic violence are crimes in Canada. These include offences related to physical and sexual violence, psychological or emotional abuse, neglect, financial abuse and the administration of justice (e.g. disobeying court orders). Listed below are various legal remedies for victims to consider.

EMERGENCY INTERVENTION ORDER (EIO)

If you are in an intimate partner relationship in which serious domestic violence has occurred, or is likely to occur, you may be eligible for an EIO. EIO’s include temporary legal provisions to enhance the safety of victims of abuse, such as requiring the abuser to leave the family residence. To apply for an EIO, you must contact a designated service provider for assistance (i.e. police, victim services, transition houses, second stage housing, domestic violence outreach workers, and social workers at the Department of Social Development – contact numbers available here).
For more information and the application forms, visit Public Legal Education and Information Service of New Brunswick (PLEIS-NB).

REPORTING TO POLICE

Many acts of abuse are chargeable offences. By making a making a statement to the police, victim protections can be put in place. It is ultimately up to victims to make their own decisions about reporting abuse. Supports are available to help you make this decision.
The Fredericton City Police has a domestic/intimate partner violence coordinator. This is great resource for exploring your legal options and understanding the process of reporting.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WORK LEAVE

As per new regulations under the Employment Standards Act (2018), employees in New Brunswick are entitled to paid leave if they are a victim of domestic, intimate partner, or sexual violence, or if their child is a victim:
- Employers must allow leave of up to 10 days to be used intermittently or continuously, and up to 16 weeks in one continuous period, of which the first five days would be paid.
To learn more about your rights as an employee, visit Public Legal Education and Information Service of New Brunswick (PLEIS-NB).

EARLY LEASE TERMINATION

As per new regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act (2020), victims of domestic/intimate partner violence, sexual violence, or stalking are entitled to end their lease early, without penalty.
To learn more about your rights as a tenant, visit Government of New Brunswick.