Experiencing sexual violence can be overwhelming. You may not know where to turn to get the support you need. The following is a list of community services designed to assist you. Do not hesitate to reach out to ask for help. You are not alone.
Services are in alphabetical order.
Adult Protection Services
To report a suspect case: 1-800-225-7225
Who needs protection? Adults 16 years and older who are living in a situation of significant risk of self-neglect, or experiencing abuse or neglect by others which results in serious harm to the person and their inability to protect themselves from abuse or neglect by reason of mental and/or physical incapacity.
Bridges Institute
676 Prince Street, Truro, NS
Phone: 902-897-6665
BRIDGES is a counselling centre for families. They offer counselling for men, women and children struggling with relationship issues, rebuilding trust, anger, depression, stress, anxiety, parenting, PTSD, as well as many other concerns. While they have a specialty in domestic abuse and anger management, they are also a full service counselling center with a variety of different licensed therapists specializing in a variety of different therapies.
Canadian Mental Health Association (Colchester East Hants)
859 Prince Street, Truro, NS
Phone: 902-895-4211
CMHA branches across Canada provide a wide range of innovative services and supports to people who are experiencing mental illness and their families. The Colchester East Hants branch of the CMHA has branched out into a new mental health building in downtown Truro. With the new building comes new opportunities to connect with our community through programs, events, collaborations, conversations and a safe space to share a tea and talk.
Child Protection Services: Northern Region District Offices
To report child abuse or neglect in the Northern Region: 1-888-919-4236
After regular business hours call 1-866-922-2434 if you believe a child is in immediate danger.
Everyone has the duty to immediately report to a child welfare agency even a suspicion that a child under 19 may be in need of protective services. Reports may be made anonymously. Once a report is made, child protection social workers assess the information provided to determine an appropriate response.
Colchester Food Bank
580 Prince Street, Truro, NS
Phone: 902-893-4566
The Colchester Food Bank is a non-profit organization located in Truro, NS. The Food Bank provides food, a basic human need, to hundreds of families and individuals each month within Truro and Colchester County.
Lotus Centre: A Resource for Women
67 Dominion Street, Truro, NS
Phone: 902-895-4295
At The Lotus Centre, our commitment to our clients is central to our service. Our organization aims to provide the highest level of assistance and best support possible. Services include sessions with a support worker, free personal care items, seasonal clothing at cost, youth programs, and workshops.
Northern Healthy Connections Society (NHCS)
33 Pleasant Street, Truro, NS
Phone (Office): 902-895-0931
Phone (Mobile): 902-965-3965
Northern Healthy Connections Society (NHCS) is a community-based, non-profit organization in Truro, Nova Scotia. NHCS began as a resource centre for people living with HIV/AIDS in Northern Nova Scotia. Now in 2020, it provides a multitude of Harm Reduction services such as a Needle Distribution and Disposal fixed site and Mobile Outreach, community programs like the Photovoice Project, and a vast library of resources related to substance use, safer sex, diversity and 2SLGBTQ+ support, overdose prevention, and local treatment programs.
Nova Scotia 211
Phone or Text: 2-1-1
211 is your 24/7 connection to the programs and services in your community that matter most to you. From local community groups and non-profits to government departments across Nova Scotia, help starts here with 211.
Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW)
1888 Brunswick St., Suite 700, Halifax, NS
Phone: 902-429-7799
The Nova Scotia College of Social Workers exists to serve and protect Nova Scotians by effectively regulating the profession of social work. We work in solidarity with Nova Scotians to advocate for policies that improve social conditions, challenge injustice and value diversity.
Nova Scotia Department of Community Services: Colchester District Office
60 Lorne Street, Truro, NS
Phone: 902-893-5950
The Department of Community Services is committed to a sustainable social service system that promotes the independence, self-reliance, and security of the people we serve. This will be achieved through excellence in service delivery, leadership and collaboration with our partners.
Nova Scotia Department of Justice: Victim Services
Serving: East Hants, Colchester, Cumberland, Pictou, and Antigonish Counties
290 West River Road, PO Box 430, Pictou, NS
Phone: 902-485-3580
Toll Free: 1-800-565-7912
If you are a victim of a crime, the Provincial Victim Services Program can provide you with support and assistance as your case moves through the criminal justice system. In addition, the Criminal Injuries Counselling Program may be able to pay for professional counselling services to help you deal with trauma resulting from the crime. Victim Services also has specific supports and resources for Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Violence.
Nova Scotia Domestic Violence Resource Centre
Province-wide
If you have experienced domestic abuse, know that you are not alone. There’s help available to you, wherever you are in Nova Scotia. Visit our Resource Map to find services near you. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If you are seeking help or are looking for information about abuse, you can call the Transition House Association of Nova Scotia’s 24-hour toll-free line: 1-855-225-0220.
Nova Scotia Legal Advice for Sexual Assault Survivors Program
Phone: 211
The province of Nova Scotia offers up to 4 hours of free legal advice to sexual assault survivors over the age of 16. To register, call 211. You do not need to provide details about what happened. You only have to say that you were sexually assaulted in Nova Scotia, and that you would like to speak with a lawyer. Registering is done through an independent agency, 211 Nova Scotia, and participants do not have to report to police or take legal action if they use this service.
Nova Scotia Legal Aid (Truro)
202-14 Court Street, Truro, NS
Phone: 902-893-5920
Toll Free: 1-877-777-5920
Nova Scotia Legal Aid offers legal help to Nova Scotians facing criminal, family or social justice issues. They can provide legal information, a summary of legal advice (a one time consultation), and/or representation by a lawyer (a lawyer for the case).
Nova Scotia Mental Health and Addictions
Nova Scotia Health Authority
Provincial Crisis Line (24/7, toll free): 1-888-429-8167 (or text NSSTRONG to 741741)
Kids Help Phone (24/7, toll free): 1-800-668-6868 (or text CONNECT to 686868)
The Nova Scotia Mental Health and Addictions provides information about how to access mental health and addictions services, including programs, mental health professionals, and resources across the province.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (Bible Hill)
283 Pictou Road, Bible Hill, NS
Emergency calls: 9-1-1
Non-emergency calls: 902-893-6820
Salvation Army: Truro Community & Family Services
14 Outram Street, Truro, NS
Phone: 902-893-3042
Across Nova Scotia, The Salvation Army offers programs and services that range from addictions and rehabilitation services, community family services, community churches, correction and justice services, and community thrift stores.
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program
For more information about SANE, locations of emergency departments in your region and how to access these services, click here
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) are registered nurses who have completed specialized education and clinical preparation in medical forensic care for patients who have experienced sexual assault or abuse. Delivered through contracted service providers, on-call SANE nurses provide immediate care within seven days of a sexual assault to people who would like supportive care, including medical attention, information about resources, as well as the option to have forensic evidence collected. The SANE program provides response, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Third Place Transition House
PO Box 1681, Truro, NS
Business Line: 902-893-4844
Women’s Outreach: 902-895-9740
Children & Youth Outreach: 902-893-3232
Crisis Line: 902-893-3232
Toll Free Crisis Line: 1-800-565-4878
The Third Place Transition House offers 24-hour crisis services 365 days of the year, and safe shelter for women and children fleeing abuse and violence. We serve the Truro, Colchester and East Hants counties. Our services are confidential and there is no fee for any of our services.
Truro Police
776 Prince Street, Truro, NS
Emergency calls: 9-1-1
Non-emergency calls (monitored 24/7): 902-895-5351
Truro Walk-in Clinic
68 Robie Street, Truro, NS
Phone: 902-893-3633
Walk-in clinics are offered to ensure you have access to health services when you need them. Services offered include general healthcare, prescription refill, workplace injury, referral request, and blood pressure check.
For more culturally-specific services, please visit our Support for marginalized groups page.
