November is Woman Abuse Prevention Month in Ontario, a time to raise awareness about violence in relationships, honour survivors, and make sure everyone knows where to turn for help. This guide explains what the month is about, how to recognize the signs of abuse, how to support someone you are worried about, and what local resources and events are available in Burlington and Halton.
This topic can be hard to read about. If it feels like too much, take a break and come back to it when you are ready.
If You Need Help Right Now
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911.
Halton Women's Place 24-hour crisis line (Burlington and Oakville): 905-332-7892
Halton Women's Place 24-hour crisis line (Milton and Halton Hills): 905-878-8555
Halton Women's Place crisis chat: a confidential online chat, available through haltonwomensplace.com
Assaulted Women's Helpline (province-wide, 24 hours, multilingual): 1-866-863-0511, or #SAFE (#7233) from a mobile phone on select networks
211 Ontario: call 211 or visit 211ontario.ca to find local services
If you think someone may be monitoring your phone or computer, consider using a device they cannot access, such as a friend's phone or a library computer. Halton Women's Place's website also has a Safety Exit button to quickly leave the page.
What Is Woman Abuse Prevention Month?
The Province of Ontario recognizes November as Woman Abuse Prevention Month. It is an opportunity for communities, organizations, and individuals to learn about abuse, challenge the attitudes that allow it to continue, and strengthen support for survivors. Two other important dates fall near the end of the month: November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and December 6, Canada's National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, which marks the 14 women killed at École Polytechnique in Montréal in 1989.
Abuse in relationships, often called intimate partner violence or domestic violence, can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, income, or background. The month's focus on women reflects that women are disproportionately affected. Halton Women's Place notes that one in three women in Canada will experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime.
Understanding Abuse: Warning Signs
Abuse is not always physical, and it often builds gradually. Common warning signs of an abusive relationship include:
Control and Isolation
Monitoring where someone goes, who they talk to, or their phone and messages
Cutting someone off from friends, family, or work
Making someone feel they need permission for everyday decisions
Emotional and Verbal Abuse
Constant put-downs, insults, or humiliation
Blaming the other person for everything
Threats, including threats to harm themselves, children, or pets
Financial Abuse
Controlling money, taking someone's paycheque, or preventing them from working
Running up debt in someone else's name
Sexual and Physical Violence
Pressuring or forcing sex or sexual acts
Hitting, pushing, choking, or other physical harm
If any of this sounds familiar, you are not to blame, and you do not have to figure it out alone.
How to Support Someone You Are Worried About
If a friend, family member, neighbour, or co-worker may be experiencing abuse, how you respond matters.
Listen and believe them. Let them share at their own pace, without judgment.
Tell them it is not their fault. Abuse is a choice made by the person causing harm.
Respect their decisions. Leaving can be the most dangerous time, and only they know what is safe for them.
Share resources, not ultimatums. Offer the crisis line and chat information, and let them decide what to do.
Help with safety planning. Offer to be a safe place to store important documents, a spare key, or a bag, if they ask.
Keep in touch. Check in regularly, even if they do not respond right away.
Try to avoid blaming, pressuring them to leave, confronting the person causing harm, or posting about their situation publicly. Halton Women's Place also supports the Neighbours, Friends & Families public education campaign, which teaches people how to recognize the signs and respond safely.
Halton Women's Place: Support in Burlington and Halton
Halton Women's Place is the only women's shelter in Halton Region and has been serving women and children for more than 40 years. It operates 365 days a year and reports helping more than 600 women and children through its shelter, counselling, and outreach programs. Its services include:
24-hour crisis information and support lines, and a confidential crisis chat
Safe shelter services
Transitional housing
Community services, workshops, and groups
Public education, including healthy relationship programs and a youth ambassador program
It also has resources on safety tips, internet safety, signs of abuse, elder abuse, and how to help. You do not need to be in crisis to call: you can ask questions and learn about your options.
Ways to Take Action This November
Join Hope in Every Step on November 7
Halton Women's Place's signature community walk, Hope in Every Step, takes place on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Spencer Smith Park in Burlington. Registration starts at 10 a.m., the walk begins at 11 a.m., and lunch is included. Registration is $20 per adult and $10 per youth, and teams are welcome. Every dollar raised goes to Halton Women's Place programs. The organization raised $76,292 at last year's walk and has set a $25,000 pledge goal for 2026, and it notes that $250 covers one night of shelter for a woman and her children.
Students in Burlington, Milton, Halton Hills, and Oakville can also earn volunteer hours by fundraising for the walk.
Give, Volunteer, or Donate Items
Halton Women's Place accepts donations, runs a holiday giving program, takes donated items, and welcomes volunteers. Visit its website to see what is needed.
Start the Conversation
Talk to your friends, family, workplace, or sports team about healthy relationships. Share the crisis line numbers, and make it clear you are someone people can come to.
Mark December 6
Observe the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women by attending a local vigil or taking a moment to reflect.
Woman Abuse Prevention Month FAQ
When Is Woman Abuse Prevention Month?
It takes place every November, as recognized by the Province of Ontario.
Is There a Women's Shelter in Burlington?
Halton Women's Place provides emergency shelter and support for women and children in Halton Region, and its crisis lines are open 24 hours a day.
What Number Do I Call if I Need Help in Burlington?
Call 911 if you are in immediate danger. For support, you can call Halton Women's Place at 905-332-7892 (Burlington and Oakville) or use its crisis chat, or call the Assaulted Women's Helpline at 1-866-863-0511.
Do I Have to Leave to Get Help?
No. You can call a crisis line to talk, get information, and make a safety plan without making any decisions.
How Can I Help a Friend Who May Be Experiencing Abuse?
Listen without judgment, tell them it is not their fault, offer resources, respect their choices, and stay in touch.
Does Abuse Only Happen to Women?
No. Abuse can affect anyone, and Woman Abuse Prevention Month focuses on women because they are disproportionately affected. If you are a man or non-binary person experiencing abuse, you can call 211 to find services.
The Bigger Picture
A community is measured partly by how it treats the people who are most at risk. Burlington has dedicated people and organizations ready to help, and neighbours who are willing to listen, show up, and learn. This month, take one small step: save a crisis line number, talk to someone, or join the walk at the waterfront. You never know whose life it might change.
Follow Burlington 365 for local news, community events, and ways to get involved across Burlington and the surrounding area.
Thoughts & Comments
Disclaimer
Please note that the information in this blog is for general guidance only and may not always be up to date or accurate. We recommend double-checking details directly with local cities, businesses, or official sources before making any plans or acting on the information. We are not a news outlet, and while we do our best to make sure information is accurate, sometimes we make mistakes. It is always best to verify with official sources. The inclusion of any business, individual, event, or service on the Burlington 365 platform does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or guarantee of its quality, performance, or reliability. Users are solely responsible for conducting their own research and due diligence before engaging with any third-party businesses or services listed on the platform.