- Office hours: Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm
- 1-844-762-9945 (Call)
Confidential support is available. You are not alone.
VCAO Services
VCAO assists police and emergency services in providing short-term emotional support and practical assistance to victims of crime and tragic circumstance.
Overview
Victim Crisis Assistance Ontario is a provincial program funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. Muskoka Victim Services delivers VCAO across the District of Muskoka.
Volunteers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help people cope with trauma, access community resources, and navigate difficult situations with care and compassion. Responders are usually called by police or emergency services, and self-referrals are welcomed.
Support is short-term and focused on immediate needs. Where longer-term help is needed, we connect people with the right community services.
24/7
On-site crisis response, 365 days a year
Available Assistance
Support that empowers you, answers your questions and gives you information to help lessen the impact of the crisis.
An assessment of your needs, risk and vulnerability, so the right supports can be put in place.
Transportation, accompaniment to a shelter or hospital, and phone calls made on your behalf when you ask.
Options and referrals to services in the community for longer-term assistance.
Financial Assistance
VQRP+ is a provincial program delivered through victim services agencies. It supports direct victims, their immediate family members and witnesses in the immediate aftermath of a violent crime, with short-term help for essential expenses.
The goal is to lessen the impact of the crime, improve safety, and meet immediate practical needs.
VQRP+ is a program of last resort. It is for people who don’t have personal resources or other private or public sources of help for the expense. Eligibility requirements apply. Contact us to find out what applies to you.
Source: Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, VCAO service objectives 2026–27.
Who It Supports
This includes victims of crime, people facing a sudden death or a death notification, and families affected by fire, disaster, serious collisions or a medical crisis.
Our Volunteers
Immediate on-site crisis response, every day of the year.
Of training completed by every volunteer Crisis Responder.
Every volunteer swears an oath of confidentiality.
Yes. Referrals come mainly from Ontario Provincial Police and other emergency services, and self-referrals are welcomed. Call 1-844-762-9945.
Muskoka Victim Services is a completely confidential service. All staff, volunteers and board members undergo a criminal record check, and volunteers swear an oath of confidentiality.
Eligibility is set by provincial program standards. Our staff will go through it with you and help with the application.
Immediate on-site crisis response is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Our office is open Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.
Crisis Responders pass relevant information to our Program Coordinator for follow-up. Staff can then connect you with community services and help with programs such as the Victim Quick Response Program+.
