Gender Diverse Support Services

Free Support Services For Trans & Gender Diverse Survivors of Sexualized Violence

We’re Here for Trans & Gender Diverse Survivors

Salal offers specialized support for trans and gender diverse survivors of sexualized violence. We understand that the needs of gender diverse survivors can be different than those of cisgender survivors, and that those unique experiences are not always understood in traditional anti-violence practices. In response, we developed trans specific services in collaboration with the trans community. These services were built with critical input from trans and gender diverse survivors to ensure our counselling and victim services programs are relevant and impactful.

Call to access Salal Support Services through our 24-Hour Crisis & Information Line.

Lower Mainland: 604-255-6344 | Toll Free: 1-877-392-7583

Types of Support

24-Hour Crisis & Information Line

Salal’s 24-Hour Crisis & Information Line is the first point of connection to receive support. It is available to all survivors of sexualized violence of marginalized genders, and is answered by both staff and volunteers. Everyone who answers the crisis line has been given the skills and resources to work with trans and gender diverse survivors, and will not make assumptions about your gender, or anybody else’s.

When you call the 24-Hour Crisis & Information Line, you can make an appointment for an intake to our services. Your intake worker will not ask what your gender identity is, but they will explain our mandate to serve people of marginalized genders and ask if that fits for you.

Salal Connect

Salal Connect is our online text and chat support, available weekdays from Mondays-Fridays 9am-5pm PST. This service is an extension of our 24-Hour Crisis & Information Line, where we are able to provide emotional support, referrals to community resources, and information on Salal’s services. Salal Connect is not part of our trans specific services, and is monitored by staff and volunteers. Everyone who answers your text and chat requests has been given the skills and resources to work with trans and gender diverse survivors, and will not make assumptions about your gender, or anybody else’s.

Contact Salal Connect via Text: (604)-245-2425, or Chat through our site.

MORE ABOUT SALAL CONNECT

Hospital, Police & Court Accompaniment

Salal offers trans specific victim services to help you navigate hospital visits, interactions with police, or attending court. Our Inclusion Victim Service Worker is here to support you every step of the way. To access our accompaniment program, contact our 24-Hour Crisis & Information Line at 1-877-392-7583.

VICTIM SERVICES

Trans & Gender Diverse specific counselling

Salal offers Individual Counselling and Support Circles for trans and gender diverse survivors. These programs were created in consultation with trans community, and can be accessed by calling our 24-Hour Crisis & Information Line. You can also learn more about our counselling program for survivors of sexualized violence through the link below.

COUNSELLING PROGRAM

Frequently Asked Questions

Do gender diverse people need to access the gender diverse specific services?

No! In fact, many trans and gender diverse survivors prefer to access our general services. All of our staff and volunteers have been given the skills and resources to support trans and gender diverse survivors, and we have made sure that trans and gender diverse peoples’ safety is prioritized throughout Salal, including strict guidelines around transmisogyny and transphobia.

How long is the wait list for counselling?

Trans and gender diverse survivors are usually able to skip our waitlist and access our trans-specific services much faster. While the general waitlist is long (approx. 1 year) due to overwhelming need, we prioritize access for trans, gender diverse, and Indigenous survivors. If you do need to wait for counselling, we are able to offer Support Circles and our Victim Services in the meantime.

Do you need to collect my old name?

No! Salal will never ask for your legal name or sex marker. We will ask you what name you want us to use for you. Other places, such as the police department or hospital, might need to collect your legal name and sex marker, but the Salal staff are happy to advocate for the use of your correct name and pronouns wherever possible.

Will you call the police on me?

The decision to call police is always made by survivors at Salal. We will never call the police due to mental health or suicidal ideation. Your counsellor, or victim service worker can tell you more about our confidentiality policies, or you can contact our 24-Hour Crisis and Information Line at 1-877-392-7583.

Will Salal support me if I’m a sex worker?

Yes! We understand that there is a strong community connection between trans people and sex workers, and that many trans survivors are also sex workers. In 2018, Salal made an apology to sex workers for failing to support them before, and committed to advocating for the decriminalization of sex work. We understand that sex work is real, important work and will affirm sex workers in all of our services.