In an effort to ensure no woman in crisis is left waiting for help, the London Abused Women’s Centre (LAWC) will be extending its drop in and phone in hours.
The agency has announced there will be an advocate/counsellor available for those who walk-in or call its York Street headquarters between 10:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.
LAWC Executive Director Megan Walker stated the extended hours were needed to cope with an increase in demand for services. Having someone available to speak with a woman when she makes first contact with the agency is vital, added Walker.
"Women may only ever walk in or call once to share their experience and ask for help and if people are not available to help them they may either walk out the door or hang up the phone and never reach out again," said Walker. "We want women to know we are there for them, we value their experiences and we believe what they are saying and we want to be a resource for them to continue on their journey safely."
The service is offered to women and girls who have been sex trafficked, abused by their intimate partner, or subjected to sexual harassment or torture. Family members of women or girls who have been sex trafficked can also use the drop in program.
The agency's longtime advocate/counsellor is able to provide those seeking crisis support during the drop in hours with a safety plan, preliminary support, and referrals to long-term services.
"If we find that the hours we have now allocated to the drop in program are insufficient, we are prepared to expand them again," said Walker. "We want to ensure all women that we are there for them and they can call and walk in and be seen and they don't have to wait months and months for services. They will be seen that very day."
The extended service begins on Monday.
