Gender-based violence (GBV) is a pressing issue across communities and regions including Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). The Violence Prevention Initiative (VPI) has been an essential cornerstone in addressing this issue in the province. While the VPI has been impactful, it has paid limited attention to the specific needs of 2SLGBTQI youth, whose experiences of violence are often overlooked. Our recent survey in Summer/Fall 2024 revealed that many educators and community organizations are isolated in their efforts, and the lack of awareness about existing resources limits their ability to effectively support these youth. This fragmentation creates significant barriers to addressing the needs of 2SLGBTQI youth, who face disproportionately high rates of violence and discrimination in various settings, including schools and communities.
This resource summary aims to bridge these gaps by highlighting the vital work being done by local organizations to support violence prevention education for all youth, including 2SLGBTQI youth. These efforts are often underrecognized, and by compiling them here, we hope to foster greater collaboration, reduce duplication, and raise awareness of the resources that are available. Highlighting these resources and helping to break down the silos between educators, service providers, and community groups will ensure that all children and youth—especially those who are 2SLGBTQI, racialized, and living with disabilities—have access to the support and education they need to stay safe, engage in healthier relationships, and thrive.
The following resource summary provides links and information regarding educational presentations, educational programs, social and peer support programs, and counselling support programs available in NL. It was produced as a result of the Empowering Educators and Peers to Reduce Gender-Based Violence Experienced by 2SLGBTQI Youth in Newfoundland and Labrador community-based research project. The project was a collaboration between Egale Canada, Planned Parenthood Newfoundland and Labrador Sexual Health Centre, the Labrador Friendship Centre, Mokami Status of Women Council, and Crow Kinship Consulting. Through interviews and surveys, the project looked to better understand the state of gender-based violence (GBV) education—specifically healthy relationships education—in the province of Newfoundland, as well as the relationship between that education and GBV prevention.
Jump to: Educational Presentations | Education Programs | Social Support/Peer Support Programs | Counselling Support Programs | Crisis Hotlines
Educational Presentations
Planned Parenthood NL Sexual Health Centre
Topics: 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion, gender and sexuality, sexual health, consent, healthy relationships, puberty
Region: Eastern NL (Avalon for in-person), province–wide online.
The Journey Project
Topics: Consent, dating violence, self and community care, community and legal supports
Region: Province-wide
Labrador Friendship Centre
Topics: Consent, communication, gender and sexuality, sexual health, harm reduction, inclusion, dating violence, healthy relationships, anti-bullying
Region: Labrador NL
Corner Brook Status of Women Council
Topics: Consent, bystander intervention, sharing intimate images, intimate partner violence, girls’ empowerment
Region: Western NL
CASEY (Thrive)
Topics: Exploitation, human trafficking, vulnerability, grooming, healthy relationships, abuse
Region: Eastern NL
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Topics: Communication, boundaries, healthy relationships, secrets, consent, anti-bullying, safety
Region: Eastern NL
Violence Prevention Northern Peninsula
Topics: Consent, respect, influences on relationships, emotions, dating violence, online safety, boundaries, healthy relationships
Region: Northern Peninsula
Communities Against Violence
Topics: Consent, healthy relationships, inclusion/exclusion, anti-bullying, friendships, defining violence, boundaries, gender roles, self esteem, self love, respecting others
Region: Eastern NL (Avalon West)
Violence Prevention Avalon East
Topics: Tech-facilitated GBV, sexting (safer sexting practices), legal concerns, deletion services, consent, boundaries, cyberbullying, judgment-free assistance, minors’ legal rights, misinformation
Region: Eastern NL (Avalon East)
Boys and Girls Club Norris Arm
Topics: Consent, communication, boundaries, gender and inclusion
Region: Central NL
Violence Prevention South & Central
Topics: Consent, communication, healthy boundaries, gender, sexuality, and inclusion; healthy and unhealthy relationships; youth dating violence; healthy and unhealthy friendships and family relations; anti-violence behaviours, anti-bullying, internet safety
Region: Central NL
CYN Southwestern
Topics: Consent, healthy relationships, anti-violence, and anti-bullying
Region: Western NL (Southwestern)
Wabanaki Two-Spirit Alliance
Topics: Two-Spirit and Indigequeer experiences, advocacy, community-building, relationship-building, education, community-led initiatives. community-led initiatives
Education Programs
The Ins and Outs of Healthy Relationships (online and *in-person)
Planned Parenthood NL Sexual Health Centre
Region: Provincewide, online
This is a 12-week program delivered 4 times per year. This program is designed for those 14-19 years of age. The program is online and covers important topics that prevent GBV, including consent, boundaries, gender and sexuality, and signs of healthy relationships.
Creating Space (*in-person)
YWCA St. John’s
Region: Eastern NL (Avalon)
Creating Space is a program designed to address GBV, develop mental well-being, and build youth leadership by working directly with youth to be intergenerational mentors. The program ensures that young people learn and lead the work on building safety in their relationships and communities, including speaking up on the realities of violence in and against marginalized communities. Creating Space supports young women and gender diverse youth in developing critical thinking and leadership skills, relating to youth GBV prevention, through a series of four after school sessions.
Be The Program (BTP) Youth Leadership – Healthy Relationships (online)
YMCA Newfoundland and Labrador
Region: Province-wide
BTP is an evidence-based program that leverages the power of youth influence to improve relationship health and reduce teen dating violence. This program supports youth to better understand relationships, identify root causes of violence, and take leadership in supporting their peers to think critically and make decisions that lead to healthier relationships.
Learning Resources Program (LRP) (in-person)
The John Howard Society of Newfoudland and Labrador
Region: Eastern NL, Central NL
LRP was established with a goal to reduce recidivism rates through the delivery of various psychoeducational programs in St. John’s and Grand Falls-Windsor. The programs provide support, education and new coping strategies to youth and adults referred within the criminal justice program. There are eight programs under the umbrella of the LRP that address various learning needs including: 1) Seeking Safety, 2) Safety and Repair (S&R): gender-based violence program, 3) Journey to Transformation – Anger Solutions, and 4) Pathways to Acceptance and Recovery (PAR).
Community Based Intervention Program (CBIP) – Stephenville
The John Howard Society of Newfoudland and Labrador
Region: Western NL
Mirroring services already offered in St. John’s, the West Coast office of the John Howard Society of Newfoundland and Labrador Inc. initiated the development of the Community Based Intervention Program for justice-involved youth and adults in the Stephenville, Port aux Basques, and Corner Brook regions. The goal of this program is to reduce the risk of recidivism through rehabilitation efforts.
Social Support/Peer Support Programs
2SLGBTQIA+ Warmline
Planned Parenthood NL Sexual Health Centre
Region: Province-wide
A peer support service run by and for 2SLGBTQIA+ people in NL. The goals of the Warm Line are to: 1) Create a safer space for 2SLGBTQIA+ people in NL to talk through their problems/concerns; 2) Take the pressure off of existing crises or warmlines that 2SLGBTQIA+ people may be using in the absence of a specific warm line; 3) Connect those in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community with more experience and more to give to those seeking help or someone to talk to.
Hours: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 6pm – 10pm.
Call or Text: 1-866-230-8041
Peer Support Groups
Trans Youth NL
Region: Province-wide
The organization holds monthly in-person meetings at First Light Child Care Centre. There are two informal, mutually supportive groups: 1) Gender Creative Kids Playgroup for trans, Two-Spirit, and gender creative children aged 3-11 years and their siblings; and 2) Trans Youth Group for trans, Two-Spirit, non-binary, and gender-questioning youth aged 12-17 years. The organization also holds monthly in-person meetings for parents of trans, Two-Spirit, and gender-questioning children, youth, and adults in-person in St. John’s, Grandfalls, Corner Brook, and online.
LGBTQ+ Newcomers Peer Support Group
YWCA St. John’s
Region: Province-wide
The LGBTQIA+ Newcomer Peer Support Group is a confidential, non-judgmental space for participants ages 18+ to discuss shared experiences and support one another. Group meetings are “hybrid”. This means participants can choose to attend in-person at YWCA’s office or online via a video call.
LGBTQ+ Newcomers Mentorship Program
YWCA St. John’s
Region: Province-wide
This program matches LGBTQIA+ newcomers ages 18+ with established community members or long-term immigrants, to help them learn about Canadian life and to take part in community activities. Participants meet with a volunteer mentor 1-2 times per month, for 6 months (or until goals are met).
PRISM (Pride, Respect, Identity, Safety, and Mentoring)
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Newfoundland
Region: Eastern NL
Mentoring program for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. As part of PRISM, young people who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ and would like a mentor who is also 2SLGBTIA+ are connected with an adult mentor who also identifies as 2SLGBTQIA+ for a one-on-one mentoring relationship.
The QT Club
Quadrangle NL
Region: Eastern NL (Avalon)
The QT Club, run by Quadrangle NL staff members, is a teen club for 2SLGBTQIA+ students. From 4pm to 8pm every second Friday of the month, Quadrangle NL’s community center (330 Elizabeth Avenue, St. John’s) will only be open to students ages 13 – 18 years old. Activities will include crafts, games, workshops, and freedom to engage with other like minded students in a safe and welcoming environment. There is no fee associated with The QT Club.
Safe Alliance
Region: Labrador
Safe Alliance provides support & resources regarding 2SLGBTQI issues, while raising awareness throughout Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
Labrador West LGBTQ2S+ Pride Group
Region: Labrador West
An open group to all members of the community. They host events throughout the year to come together and raise awareness and support for the LGBT community.
Peer Support for People Experiencing Gender-Based Violence
Labrador West Status of Women Council
Region: Labrador West
Their peer support services are confidential and designed to offer a safe, empathetic space where individuals such as women and gender-diverse people can share their experiences and receive guidance and emotional support.
Camp Eclipse: Out in the Woods
Planned Parenthood NL Sexual Health Centre
Region: Eastern NL
This is a four-day leadership retreat for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and their allies from across NL. The program is run annually in the summer. Through their participation in a variety of workshops and activities, campers, youth leaders, and mentors develop and enhance their leadership skills and their knowledge of 2SLGBTQIA+ history, activism, sexual health, and healthy coping strategies.
Camp Rainbow
Trans Youth NL, Echo Pond Environmental Education Centre
Region: Eastern NL
Camp Rainbow is a three-day overnight nature camp developed in partnership with Echo Pond Summer Camp and Trans Youth NL during the summer, typically in July. It is a camp exclusively for Trans, 2-Spirit, Non-binary, and Gender Diverse children ages 10-15. Camp Rainbow is a place for our youth to unplug, relax, and celebrate the wonderful humans they are!
Camp Ohana
In partnership with Corner Brook Status of Women Council
Region: Western NL
Camp Ohana seeks to create a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive space for all members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and allies. Through various empowering workshops youth will gain tools of advocacy that they can apply in their own communities to help foster positive conversations and further acceptance. Its goal is to reduce and ultimately eliminate the stigma surrounding the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and inspire youth to live authentically.
Counselling Support Programs
Fireweed Counselling Collective
Mokami Status of Women Council, End Sexual Violence NL
Region: Labrador
Free counselling impacted by gender-based violence in Labrador and cultivating a community of care through capacity building initiatives, training and practitioner support for population ages 16 and up.
Mending Mondays
Trans Support NL
Region: Eastern NL (Avalon) for in-person, province-wide for phone and video Mending Mondays offers free one-on-one counselling, mental health support, and system navigation for Two Spirit, trans, non-binary, intersex, and gender diverse folks and the people who love them across Newfoundland and Labrador. Sessions are available in-person, by phone, or by video!
Book: https://calendly.com/tsnl-umbrella/mendingmondays?month=2025-04
Community Counselling Line
Quadrangle NL and the Jacob Puddister Memorial Foundation
Region: Eastern NL (Avalon) for in-person, Province Wide for phone and videoFree counselling service. Access support via phone, video, text, or drop-in. Currently offering four 60 min sessions on Thursdays and Fridays to help address the ongoing gap in mental health services for 2SLGBTQIA+ people in NL. This service is provided and created by members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ with certified counsellors from The Jacob Puddister Memorial Foundation who are members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Book: https://jacobpuddistermemorialfoundation.janeapp.com/
Crisis Hotlines
First Nations & Inuit Hope for Wellness Line
1-855-242-3310
A 24/hr Help Line that provides immediate, culturally competent, telephone crisis intervention, counselling, and online chat support for all Indigenous peoples across Canada.
Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline
1-833-900-1010
If you or someone you know has experienced human trafficking or is in a potential human trafficking situation, call this hotline for help and services.
Cyber Tips
1-866-658-9022
Offers a hotline for reporting online sexual abuse and exploitation
Kids Help Phone
1-800-668-6868 or text 686868
Kids help phone’s e-mental health services are available 24/7 across Canada for kids, teens, and young adults.
SARA
(709) 216-4357
Sexual Assault Response and Advocacy Line.
Child Protection
(709) 752-4619
If a child or youth is experiencing neglect or abuse, they can report to a social worker at Children, Seniors and Social Development.
811
Call to speak to the mental health crisis centre.
Empower NL Sexual Assault Support Line
1-800-726-2743
Project Page and Other GBV Resources
This project was funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE).
