Resources

Emergencies:

Please Dial 9-1-1:

If you are facing immediate physical violence, abuse or are in an unsafe situation, please dial 9-1-1.

If you are an OIC Member, or a Sex Worker in the Ottawa area & are looking for support while navigating a situation with the police/emergency services or after dealing with a traumatic situation, please reach out to one of our Admins or Committee Members. We will do our best to provide you with community support, while also maintaining confidentiality, discretion & supporting YOUR decisions throughout this process. 

Distress Center Ottawa:

Your local connection to mental health support and resources, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Feeling Suicidal? Call 9-8-8

In destress? Call 613-238-3311

Sex Worker Focused Resources:

Safety, Community & Advocacy:

CORAS – Community, Outreach, Resources & Advocacy for Sex Workers

Legal Resources:

COMING SOON – Understanding the Law (Bill C36), Sex Work friendly resources & support

Career Advancement

SWPDF – The Sex Worker’s Professional Development Fund

Public Resources:

Women's Emergency Support:

Cornerstone Housing – Emergency Women’s Shelter & Supportive Community Housing

Interval House – wrap-around care to women and gender-diverse people who are fleeing domestic and gender-based violence.

CMHA – Resources for women and victims of domestic and/or gender-based violence

Unsafe at Home Ottawa -a secure text and online chat service for women and 2SLGBTQ+ people in Ottawa and Lanark County who may be living through increased violence and abuse at home

Chrysalis House – is a safe and secure 25-bed shelter in Western Ottawa that is Trans, non-binary & 2 spirit inclusive.

FAM Network – The FAM Network fosters animals for people who need to flee domestic/interpersonal/family violence or sex trafficking into the safety of local Violence Against Women (VAW) shelters or into a Transitional Housing Support Program; as well as for those who are seeking in-patient treatment for mental health and/or substance abuse and for select circumstances for short-term hospitalization.

The Ottawa Humane Society – The OHS’s Sheltering Animals from Emergencies (SAFE) program offers an alternative to people fleeing domestic abuse, by providing a safe alternative to remaining in a situation that is dangerous to both themselves and their pets.

2SLGBTQ+ Resources:

Kind Space – a community centre in Ottawa – unceded Algonquin territory – that offers resources, events, social and educational programming. Our work celebrates, supports, and prioritizes oppressed sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions.

Capital Pride – 2SLGBTQ+ Community Resources

Capital Rainbow – is a registered non-profit organization founded in 2010 to support and sponsor LGBTQI+ refugees. Through volunteer-led sponsor groups, advocacy, community building and outreach, we help LGBTQI+ refugees and newcomers arrive and thrive in Eastern Ontario.

Youth Resources:

Corath -support & resources to empower youth aged 12-24 who are experiencing or have experienced exploitation or trafficking.

Sexual Health:

Ottawa Sexual Health Clinic & Services -All appointments are available at 179 Clarence Street only.

We are offering appointments to residents of Ottawa for the following:

  • HIV Post-Exposure
  • Prophylaxis (HIV PEP)
  • Emergency Contraception (Ella/Plan B/IUD)
    Contraception, including intrauterine devices (IUDs) and low-cost options
  • Persons diagnosed with an STBBI, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, and/or Mpox
  • Sexual partners of persons diagnosed with an STBBI including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, and/or Mpox
  • STBBI testing for those who are members of the following groups:
    • Youth 29 years of age and younger
    • Indigenous communities
    • African, Caribbean, and Black communities
    • 2SLGBTQ+ (Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning and other men who have sex with men)
    • Persons engaging in sex work
    • People who use drugs

If you meet the eligibility criteria and would like to book an appointment, please call the Sexual Health Clinic at (613) 234-4641 Monday to Friday 9:00 am to noon and 1 to 3:30 pm.

GetAKit.ca – Free STI Testing Program

For Ottawa residents, free STI testing services without an appointment are available through GetaKit.ca. Tests can be ordered 24/7. Requisitions for testing are sent through the mail or made available online and tests are completed at a local lab using a health card (e.g., OHIP, UHIP, IFH, NHIB, private or military coverage). For more information – or to order your STI tests online, visit GetaKit.ca.

Substance Use & Addictions:

If you suspect you or someone you are with is having an overdose, please dial 9-1-1.

Substance Use & Concurrent Disorders – (The Royal) 

Supports people living with complex substance (drug or alcohol) use, mental health, and physical health issues (available in English and French)

Montfort Renaissance’s Service Access to Recovery – (SAR)

Ottawa’s bilingual centralized access to all Ontario Health funded agencies providing addiction/concurrent disorder treatment. It is a starting point for people 16 years and older who are concerned about their substance use and want to understand, discuss and access treatment options. To be evaluated and referred directly to treatment, call 613-241-5202 (available in English and French).

Naloxone & Where to get a kit:

In Ontario, naloxone is available for free through various programs. It is available to persons who could be at risk of an overdose and to people who could help someone who is overdosing. When you get your kit, you will also receive training on overdose prevention, recognizing an overdose and how to respond.

Follow the link below to get a kit:

OIC Members Only Resources:

Client Focused Resources:

Client's Corner

Visit the Client’s Corner for more resources tailored just for you!