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Nova Scotia Directory of Legal Services and Information for Survivors of Family Violence
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Please note, this directory primarily contains resources in Nova Scotia where you can get legal information or advice, or information about local shelters and transition houses. There are additional supports and resources in Nova Scotia that are not captured here. To find support near you, call, text or visit Nova Scotia 211, available 24/7 (www.ns.211.ca).
The Family Law Nova Scotia website also has a useful directory of Community Agencies & Family Justice Services in Nova Scotia.
For further help or information about domestic abuse, you can also call the provincial, 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-855-225-0220
For information about online safety, see here.
For a PDF copy of this directory, please click here.
Intimate Partner Violence Resources/Information
Government of Nova Scotia – Intimate Partner Violence Resources
https://novascotia.ca/just/victim_services/family_violence.asp
NS Domestic Violence Resource Centre
CRA – Getting benefits and credits when in an abusive or violent situation
December 6th Fund
https://www.ywcahalifax.com/programs/violence-against-women/
Non-interest bearing microloans for housing costs for female identifying people 18+ or older, living in Nova Scotia, who are currently fleeing, or have recently fled, abuse or violence.
Domestic Violence Court Program
www.courts.ns.ca/Provincial_Court/NSPC_domestic_violence_court.htm
Sydney: 902-563-3510
Halifax: 902-424-7404 or HfxDVCP@novascotia.ca
Early Lease Termination for Tenants Facing Domestic Violence
https://novascotia.ca/just/victim_Services/tenant_facing_domestic.asp
Call Victim Services at: 1-888-470-0773
Emergency Protection Orders – Justice of the Peace Centre
1-866-816-6555 toll-free or 902-424-8888
Learn more here: https://novascotia.ca/just/victim_services/_docs/DVIA_Brochure_EN.pdf
Intimate Images and Cyber Protection – CyberScan
902-424-6990 in Halifax or 1-855-702-8324 toll-free
Leave from Work – Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Leave NS: https://novascotia.ca/lae/employmentrights/leaves.asp#domestic-violence
Includes a free 20-minute public education course.
Making Changes
Making Changes is a book for women experiencing intimate partner abuse and contains information such as understanding abuse, safety planning, legal matters and more.
Neighbours, Friends and Families
https://women.novascotia.ca/womens-safety/offering-support/neighbours-friends-and-families
Shelter Movers
https://www.sheltermovers.com/nova-scotia/
Provides free moving and storage services to women and children fleeing abuse. Clients are referred by a person of authority (social worker, doctor, police, crisis counselor, teacher, etc.) or public agency (shelter, hospital, school, workplace, place of worship, sexual assault centre, etc.).
Finding Help and Support/Crisis Lines
211
Avalon Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program
SANE 24-Hour Response Line: 902-425-0122
Neighbour Friends and Family toll free line
1-855-225-0220 (24/7)
Call or text to speak to someone confidentially if you think a neighbour, friend or family may be in a situation of violence
Mi’kmaq Crisis Line
1-855-379-2099 (24/7)
Mental Health Mobile Crisis
902-429-8167 or 1-888-429-8167 (24/7)
Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline
1-833-900-1010 (24/7)
www.canadianhumantraffickinghotline.ca
Support is available in over 200 languages for victims of human trafficking. A chat function is available on the website.
Legal Support, Information and Advice
Accès Justice
902-433-2085 or 1-844-250-8471 (English or French)
www.ajefne.ns.ca
Bilingual legal information centre providing confidential services in Nova Scotia.
Avalon Sexual Assault Center
(902) 422-4240
www.avaloncentre.ca
Support for survivors of sexual assault/abuse. Their website has many resources, including ones on law and the legal system.
Coverdale Courtwork Society
902-422-6417
www.coverdale.ca
Supports women, girls and gender-diverse individuals involved in the criminal justice system.
Dalhousie Legal Aid
902-423-8105
www.dal.ca/faculty/law/dlas.html
Tenants’ Rights information, advice, representation
Elizabeth Fry Society
Mainland Nova Scotia
902-454-5041
www.efrymns.ca
Cape Breton
Sydney 902-539-6165
https://www.efrycb.com/home.html
Support for women and girls involved in the criminal justice system
Nova Scotia Legal Aid
Amherst: 902-667-7544 or toll-free at 1-866-999-7544
Annapolis Royal: 902-532-2311 or toll-free at 1-866-532-2311
Antigonish: 902-863-3350 or toll-free at 1-866-439-1544
Bridgewater: 902-543-4658 or toll-free at 1-866-543-4658
Liverpool Sub-Office: 902-354-3215 or toll-free at 1-866-543-4658
Dartmouth (family): 902-420-7921 or toll-free at 1-855-420-7921
Dartmouth (family – child protection): 902-420-8897 or toll-free at 1-855-420-7921
Dartmouth (criminal): 902-420-8815 or toll-free at 1-877-420-8818
Halifax (family): 902-420-3450 or toll-free at 1-866-420-3450
Halifax (adult criminal): 902-420-6583 or toll-free at 1-877-777-6583
Halifax (HRM youth): 902-420-6569
Halifax (social justice): 902-420-3464 or toll-free at 1-844-956-0955
Kentville: 902-679-6110 or toll-free at 1-866-679-6110
New Glasgow: (902) 755-7020 or toll-free at 1-877-755-7020
Port Hawkesbury: 902-625-4047 or toll-free at 1-888-817-0116
Sydney: 902-563-2295 or toll-free at 1-877-563-2295
Truro, Colchester County: 902-893-5920 or toll-free at 1-877-777-5920
Windsor: 902-798-8397 or toll-free at 1-866-798-8397
Yarmouth: 902-742-7827 or toll-free at 1-866-742-3300
HRM Duty Counsel: 902-420-7800
Sydney Duty Counsel: 902-539-7026
Legal information, advice and representation for criminal, family or social justice issues in Nova Scotia
Family Law Information Program Centres (FLIP Centres)
Halifax: 902-424-5232
Sydney: 902-563-5761
Legal information, help with finding a lawyer or legal advice, referrals to community agencies, information about court programs and services. FLIP centres may be able to provide some court documents or computer access.
Family Law Nova Scotia
Information about the family law process in Nova Scotia, including access to guides, resources and court forms.
Halifax Refugee Clinic
902-422-6736
www.halifaxrefugeeclinic.org
Free legal and settlement services to those who cannot afford legal counsel and are claiming refugee status in Nova Scotia.
Legal Advice for Sexual Assault Survivors
To register: Call 211
www.novascotia.ca/sexualassaultlegaladvice/
Up to 4 hours of free, independent legal advice for sexual assault survivors aged 16 or older. You do not have to report to police or take legal action if you use this service.
Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia
902-455-3135 or 1-800-665-9779 (toll-free)
www.legalinfo.org
Free information on all legal issues, and ways to find a lawyer, including a lawyer referral service
Mi’kmaw Legal Support Network
902-379-2042 or toll-free at 1-877-379-2042
Legal and victim services to Indigenous persons in Nova Scotia
ReachAbility
902-429-5878 or 1-866-429-5878
www.reachability.org
Serves Nova Scotians who face barriers to inclusion and community participation. Services include a legal referral service for a free one-hour consultation for legal advice.
Summary Advice Counsel
Amherst: 902-667-2256
Annapolis: 902-742-0500
Antigonish: 902-863-7312
Bridgewater: 902-543-4679
Halifax: 902-424-5616
Kentville: 902-679-6075
Pictou: 902-485-7350
Port Hawkesbury: 902-625-2665
Sydney: 902-563-2085
Truro: 902-893-5840
Windsor: (902) 679-6075
Yarmouth: (902) 742-0500
Free, brief family law legal advice and information if you do not have a lawyer. This is a court-based service provided by Nova Scotia Legal Aid Summary Advice Counsel. You can make an appointment by calling the court in your area.
Victim Services
Department of Justice Victim Services
www.novascotia.ca/just/victim_Services/
Head Office (Halifax): 902-424-3309 or toll-free at 1-888-470-0773
Dartmouth (serves Halifax, Dartmouth & Halifax County): 902-424-3307 or toll-free at 1-833-424-3307
Kentville (serves Annapolis, Kings, Hants, Lunenburg, Queens, Shelburne and Yarmouth & Digby counties): 902-679-6201 or toll-free at 1-800-565-1805
Pictou (serves East Hants, Colchester, Cumberland, Pictou & Antigonish Counties): 902-485-3580 or toll-free at 1-800-565-7912
Sydney (serves Guysborough, Cape Breton, Richmond, Inverness & Victoria Counties): 902-563-3655 or toll-free at 1-800-565-0071
Halifax Regional Police Victim Services Unit
902-490-5300
Text: 902-497-4709
https://www.halifax.ca/fire-police/police/programs-services/victim-services-halifax
Support for victims of crime, in particular domestic violence and sexual violence. Includes a peace bond navigator program.
Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre – Victim Support Navigator
902-420-1576
https://mymnfc.com/
Family Courts
Amherst Justice Centre
16 Church Street, 3rd floor
Amherst, NS, B4H 3A6
Phone: 902-667-2256
AMHFC@courts.ns.ca
Antigonish Justice Centre
11 James Street
Antigonish, NS, B2G 1R6
Phone: 902-863-7312
AntigonishFamilyCourt@courts.ns.ca
Bridgewater Justice Centre
141 High Street
Bridgewater, NS, B4V 1W2
Phone: 902-543-4679
BJC.Family.Court@courts.ns.ca
Digby/Annapolis Justice Centre
119 Queen Street
P.O. Box 1089
Digby, NS, B0V 1A0
Phone: (902) 245-4567
scfamilydig@courts.ns.ca
Halifax Family Division
3380 Devonshire Avenue
Halifax, NS, B3K 5R5
Phone: 902-424-3990
scfamilyhfx@courts.ns.ca
Kentville Justice Centre
87 Cornwallis Street
Kentville, NS, B4N 2E5
Phone: (902) 679-6075
Kjc-family@courts.ns.ca
Pictou Justice Centre
PO Box 1750, 69 Water Street
Pictou, NS, B0K 1H0
Phone: 902-485-7350
Pictoufamily@courts.ns.ca
Port Hawkesbury Justice Centre
15 Kennedy Street
Port Hawkesbury, NS, B9A 2Y1
Family Division: 902-625-2665
porthawkesburyfamily@courts.ns.ca
Sydney Justice Centre
136 Charlotte Street, Suites #1 & 2
Sydney, NS, B1P 1C3
Family Division: 902-563-2200
sydneyfamilydivision@courts.ns.ca
Truro Justice Centre
540 Prince Street
Truro, NS, B2N 1G1
Phone: 902-893-4272
trurofamilycourt@courts.ns.ca
Yarmouth Justice Centre
164 Main Street
Yarmouth, NS, B5A 1C2
Phone: 902-742-0550
yarmouthfamilycourt@courts.ns.ca
Transition Houses, Shelters and Women’s Centres
Women’s Centres Connect
(902) 755-4647
coordinator@womenconnect.ca
www.womenconnect.ca
Find a women’s centre in Nova Scotia
Transition House Association of Nova Scotia
General inquiries: 902-429-7287
Provincial toll-free line: 1-855-225-0220 (24/7)
www.thans.ca
TRANSITION HOUSES
Bryony House (Halifax)
Distress line: 902-422-7650
Text: 902-422-7650
Shelter main number: 902-423-7183
www.bryonyhouse.ca
staff@bryonyhouse.ca
Autumn House (Amherst)
24 Hour Crisis Line: 902-667-1200
Business phone: 902-667-1344
www.autumnhouse.ca
info@autumnhouse.ca
Autumn House serves Cumberland County
Cape Breton Transition House (Sydney)
24 Hour Help Line: 902-539-2945; Toll Free: 1-800-563-2945
Outreach phone: 902-562-3045
Childcare Counsellor phone: 902-562-1336
Education/Fundraising: 902-562-4190
http://cbtha.com/
cbtranshouse@ns.aliantzinc.ca
Cape Breton Transition House serves CBRM and Victoria County
Chrysalis House (Kentville)
24 Hour Help Line: 902-679-1922; Toll-free: 1-800-264-8682
Administration phone: (902) 679-6544
www.chrysalishouseassociation.org
ed@chrysalishouseassociation.org
Chrysalis House serves West Hants, Kings, and Annapolis Counties
Harbour House (Bridgewater)
24 Hour Help Line: 902-543-3999; Toll-free: 1-888-543-3999
Administration phone: 902-543-3665
Childcare Counsellor: 902-543-9970
Outreach phone: 902-543-9970
www.harbour-house.ca
ed@harbour-house.ca
Harbour House serves Lunenburg and Queens Counties
Juniper House (Yarmouth)
24 Hour Help Line: 902-742-8689; Toll-free: 1-800-266-4087
Administration phone: 902-742-4473
www.juniperhouse.ca
juniperhouse@juniperhouse.ca
Outreach
Yarmouth Outreach: 902-742-0231
Digby Outreach:902-245- 4789
Shelburne Outreach: 902-749- 7170
info@juniperhouse.ca
Juniper House serves Yarmouth, Digby and Shelburne Counties
Leeside Transition House (Port Hawkesbury)
24 Hour Help Line: 902-625-2444; Toll Free: 1-800-565-3390
Phone: 902-625-1990
https://www.leesidesociety.ca/
director@leesidesociety.ca
Leeside Transition House serves Richmond and Inverness Counties and the Town of Port Hawkesbury.
Millbrook Family Healing Centre (Truro)
24 Hour Help Line: 902-893-8483; Toll-free: 1-800-565-4741
Phone: 902-893-8483
Program Supervisor Email: brooke.paul@novascotia.ca
Manager Email: beverly.walker@novascotia.ca
Millbrook Family Healing Centre serves all First Nations on mainland Nova Scotia except Paq’tnkek First Nation.
Naomi Society (Antigonish)
Phone: 863-3807
www.naomisociety.ca
info@naomisociety.ca
Naomi Society offers second stage housing and services in Antigonish (Town & County) and Guysborough County
Tearman House (New Glasgow)
24 Hour Help Line: 902-752-0132; Toll free: 1-888-831-0330
Administration phone: 902-928-0774
Shelter phone: 902-752-1633
Outreach phone: 902-752-2591
Childcare Counsellor phone: 902-755-6390
www.tearmann.ca
tearmann@ns.sympatico.ca
Tearmann House serves New Glasgow, Pictou, Antigonish, and Guysborough Counties
Third Place (Truro)
24 Hour Help Line: 902-893-3232; Toll free: 1-800-565-4878
Business Line: (902) 893-4844
Women’s Outreach: (902) 895-9740
Children & Youth Outreach: (902) 893-3232
Outreach Email: outreach@thirdplaceth.ca
Director Email: director@thirdplaceth.ca
www.thirdplaceth.ca
support@thirdplaceth.ca
Third Place Transition House serves Colchester and East Hants Counties and Truro
Waycobah Family Healing Centre (Whycocomagh)
24 Hour Help Line: 902-756-3440; Toll Free: 1-800-565-3440
Phone: (902) 756-3440
Manager Email: beverly.walker@novascotia.ca
Waycobah Family Healing Centre serves all First Nations on Cape Breton Island and Paq’tnkek First Nation
SHELTERS
Adsum House (Halifax)
902-423-4443
www.adsumforwomen.org
adsum@adsumforwomen.org
Emergency shelter, housing, programs and services for women, youth, children and trans individuals who are experiencing homelessness.
Barry House (Halifax)
(902) 422-8324
www.shelternovascotia.com/shelter-services
For women and gender diverse individuals who are experiencing homelessness.
SECOND-STAGE HOUSING
Alice House
902-466-8459
www.alicehouse.ca
livesafe@alicehouse.ca
Second-stage housing and supportive counselling for women and children in Nova Scotia (HRM).
Naomi Society
Phone: 863-3807
www.naomisociety.ca
info@naomisociety.ca
Naomi Society offers second stage housing and services in Antigonish (Town & County) and Guysborough County
Brenda’s Place – Second Stage Housing
Provided by: Tearmann Society for Abused Women
902-755-3123 or 902-752-0077
secondstage@tearmann.ca
Coverage area: Pictou, Antigonish and Guysborough Counties
Cape Breton Transition House
Outreach Worker: 902-562-3045 ext. 208
www.cbtha.com/
Second stage housing units are in Glace Bay and Sydney
Welkaqanik Next Step Shelter
General Inquiries: 902-895-1523
Toll Free: 1-800-565-4372
www.ncns.ca/welkaqnik-next-step-shelter
socialmanager@ncns.ca
A next step shelter providing Mi’kmaq/Aboriginal survivors of family violence a safe affordable shelter for a period of up to one year