SAVIS - TheDinnerParty

About SAVIS

SAVIS stands for Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services of Halton, and is an organization that offers free and confidential services to survivors. The services we offer can be short or long term in nature, and are open to individuals over the age of 16. Our services are available to individuals regardless of their gender identity – meaning we welcome female-identified, male-identified, transgender, and gender non-binary individuals. SAVIS also operates from a feminist, anti-oppressive framework, we do not discriminate when it comes to race, colour, disability, age or national origin.

We serve the Halton region, however we are happy to provide you with the information for similar service providers operating out of different regions.

Services offered

24/7 Crisis line

SAVIS’s crisis line provides free, confidential, and non-judgmental 24-hour support to all survivors of violence including but not limited to female-identified, male-identified, non-binary and trans folks. Our crisis line provides trauma-informed, survivor-centered supportive counselling and referrals and operates 24 hours, 7 days a week and 365 days a year.

Counselling

SAVIS provides free and confidential one-on-one, online and telephone counselling from a feminist perspective to all survivors of sexual violence from 16 years of age. In-person counselling is available at our Oakville Location. We understand that women experience oppression in varying configurations and intensity depending on their individual backgrounds and this may have an additional impact on those already facing sexual abuse. Our counsellors work from an anti-racist and anti-oppressive viewpoint to provide assessments that are non-directive and non-judgmental.

Public education

Our Public Education Program facilitates a range of presentations, workshops and trainings on topics related to understanding the many facets of gender based violence and sexual exploitation.

All workshops and presentations are inclusive, interactive, and modifiable in order to suit your needs and reach a broad audience as we are committed to proactive, preventative education for all.

As part of our commitment to preventive education, there is no cost associated with any presentation or workshop for schools and other not-for-profit community members.

Anti-human trafficking

Our anti-human trafficking program offers free, trauma-informed support to all survivors of, and individuals at risk of, human trafficking. This includes sex trafficking, labour trafficking, domestic servitude as well as forced marriage.

We recognize that survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation are survivors of trauma and that many have experienced sexual and physical assault, emotional and mental abuse, coercion, manipulation, loss of agency, malnutrition, displacement, witnessed violence against others, threats to loved ones, and much more. Our Case Workers are here to work with you on housing, supportive counselling, basic needs, advocacy, accompaniments, safety planning, risk assessment, life skills, etc.

Volunteer program

Dedicated volunteers are essential to many of the programs that SAVIS operates. Volunteer opportunities include crisis and support line, outreach through information booths at schools and community events, support for fundraising events and bingo.

What we are doing

The agency continues to reinforce its commitment to its mission to support all survivors of sexual violence and human trafficking through an intersectional feminist, equitable, diverse & inclusive lens, and values to end sexual violence and foster a safe, supportive, just and equitable society by implementing these core tenements to its praxis.

SAVIS continues to serve Halton, volunteers providing 5,705 hours supporting crisis calls, counselling services for 656 survivors, and services for 44 human trafficking survivors in its most recent fiscal year. We are confident that SAVIS will continue to believe and support survivors on a “no names, no judgement” basis and follow its mission to end violence and foster a safe and equitable Halton Region.

Testimonials

I became involved with SAVIS over 2 years ago when my counsellor at another agency referred me due to leaving a sexually abusive forced marriage. The support, tools and resources your organization provides is unbelievable. In December I received counselling where I was educating and healing myself. I learned a lot from the support that was provided. SAVIS stepped in again and advocated for me when my son was wrongfully apprehended. They helped me achieve shelter and advocated for me during the court where if it wasn’t for their support I would not get my son back. They also advocated for me when I was able to get out of the shelter and in our first home. They bought us beds and other things that I could not afford. I have never felt alone with their support. I was transferred to another agency. I never received any support where your organization offered to come back into my life. They continue to help me become an independent member of society and I never feel alone. Your organization not only believes in survivors but helps support and goes to great lengths to advocate for them.

Survivor

From my point of view, this program has saved my life and I am totally sure many others. I don’t think that anybody can get out of such a difficult circumstance without their support and expertise. They are different than other government workers who are usually very judgmental with no empathy. Here they know what they are doing with their strong organization, emotional support skills, and ethics. I have been so impressed with the dedication, commitment and passion of those involved with the organization.They are truly inspiring! They are giving us the opportunity to develop our strongest selves, helping us also to step into the world knowing that we have the power to shape our lives and consequently our community. I believe they help to create opportunities for those who are helpless for their future that they may not otherwise have the chance to realize. We all benefit enormously by having the support they give us which empowers us to play an active and good role in society. I am thrilled with the positive changes their support have to produce in me. I love their mission and the people that are part of it. They encourage us with the amazing support to carve our own path and the skills to improve our world and the people around us. The support received goes beyond the housing/food help, it is the real emotional support 24/7 needed in these cases, providing the confidence that otherwise could not be reached by ourselves alone. They basically bring you back the dignity and the dreams that were lost.

Survivor

Working with you has helped me feel supported in ways that my other service providers could not support me. I feel not only that my emotional needs are being met when I talk to you, and my personal safety needs are being taken care of, but I also feel that I have a friend I can open up to about things I don’t feel comfortable talking about with my family or other service providers. I feel very comfortable and supported by you.

Survivor

Learn More

Find out about our services at

https://www.savisofhalton.org