The Owen Sound Police Service, Saugeen Shores Police Service, West Grey Police Service, Hanover Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police, Canadian Mental Health Association Grey Bruce Mental Health and Addiction Services, Bruce Grey Child and Family Services, 2-1-1 Central East Ontario, Women's House Serving Bruce & Grey and The Women’s Centre Grey Bruce have partnered to launch a new grassroots campaign called #HereToHelpGB.

This campaign, which will officially launch the week of April 27, 2020 has been created to reach kids, youth and women who are in abusive situations or feeling scared during this time of isolation. Our most vulnerable often rely on our schools, daycares, community centers, health care facilities and places of worship as a safe place in Grey Bruce. With the recent closure of so many of our public and institutional settings, the caring eyes and ears that usually provide comfort and act as safeguards are not physically present. The goal of the campaign is to let individuals who are in need of support, know they are not alone and that help is available.

We are asking for the public’s support to help spread the message that we are #HereToHelpGB. In the coming days and weeks, social media messages and videos will be posted on our social media platforms and websites along with the displaying of posters at places that are still accessible to the public. The messaging will be simple; pictures of Child Protection Workers, Police Officers, Community Partners and/or the public holding signs that read; #HereToHelpGB with either the number 2-1-1 or a number that can quickly assist a person in need.

If you or someone you know is in an abusive situation, please reach out for the help you need.

Numbers for help:

· 2-1-1 is a 24/7 multilingual helpline to find services in your community
· 9-1-1 is for all emergency situations
· 226-974-0755 a text support line for women in crisis
· 1-800-668-6868 Kids Help Phone

source: media releases