ImmigrantLegal.ca

The Battered Women's Support Services (BWSS) provides one-on-one support, advocacy, counselling, information and referrals for women who have experienced relationship violence, regardless of their race, culture, physical ability, or sexual orientation.

Programs include: crisis support through their crisis line, prevention of violence against women events, support groups and counsellors, long term individual counselling for women who experience or have experienced some form of abuse, and an Aboriginal and Latin American women's program with a victim support worker.

They provide legal information and support over the telephone or in person, court accompaniments in the Metro Vancouver area, help with complaints related to the legal system, workshops for women who are representing themselves in court, and referrals to volunteer lawyers who provide legal advice (criminal and civil law services).

BWSS also provides a Dating Violence Education program and Youth Engagement in Violence Prevention program. Trained speakers attend career and personal planning classes to raise awareness of violence and to educate people about healthy relationships. Finally, there is a retail program that provides woman with free clothing and household goods from their two thrift boutiques.