Resources
Companion page to A Soldier’s Cry: Breaking the Silence on Military Sexual Trauma.
Last reviewed September 2026
This page mirrors the Resource Appendix in the book. The book goes out of date the day it prints. This page does not.
If a number in the book does not work, check here. If a number here does not work, tell me at lbaird81@gmail.com and I will fix it.
If you need help right now
You do not need to be a veteran. You do not need a diagnosis. You do not need to explain yourself first.
Crisis lines
Crisis Text Line, adults
Hope for Wellness Help Line
Counselling for Indigenous people across Canada. Support is available in Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut on request. hopeforwellness.ca
Military and veteran support
VAC Assistance Service
Free, confidential psychological support. Open to veterans, former RCMP members, families, and caregivers. You do not need to be receiving VAC benefits to call.
Defence Community Support and Resource Centre Renamed 2026
Confidential support, options, and referrals for anyone in the Defence community affected by sexual misconduct.
The DCSRC was formerly the Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre (SMSRC). The name changed in April 2026, and the mandate now also covers racism and racial discrimination. If your copy of the book says SMSRC, this is the same organization. Official page
Operational Stress Injury Social Support (OSISS)
Peer support from people who have been through it. There are separate coordinators for serving members and veterans, and for families and caregivers. Official page
Veterans Affairs Canada, general information
One bilingual number now serves both English and French callers. The separate French line still printed in some directories has been retired. VAC contact page
Legal support
Independent Legal Assistance Program (ILAP)
Free legal information, advice, and, where eligible, representation for anyone affected by sexual misconduct in a DND or CAF context.
CAF/DND Sexual Misconduct Class Action Settlement Closed
The claims window closed November 24, 2021. The court accepted late claims until February 5, 2023. Requests to re-issue payments closed May 29, 2026. The claims process ended entirely on June 16, 2026.
There is no longer any way to file. If you believe you were eligible and did not claim, call the DCSRC at 1-844-750-1648 and ask about other options. Settlement website
Legal aid
Every province and territory runs a publicly funded legal aid plan. The federal Legal Aid Program page lists all of them with current contact details. Legal Aid Program, Department of Justice
Victim Services Directory
A searchable national directory of victim services, including legal assistance and information on victims’ rights. Search by postal code. Victim Services Directory
Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic, Ontario
Free legal services, trauma-informed counselling, and multilingual interpretation for women and gender-diverse survivors of gender-based violence. Family, immigration, and sexual assault law. schliferclinic.com
Operational Stress Injury clinics
Veterans Affairs Canada funds 10 OSI clinics and 11 satellite service sites. You need a VAC referral to access them. If you do not know how to get one, call OSISS at 1-800-883-6094 or call the clinic directly and ask.
| Clinic | City | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| BC OSI Clinic | Vancouver, BC | 604-331-8990 or 1-855-331-8990 |
| Carewest OSI Clinic | Calgary, AB | 403-216-9860 |
| Edmonton OSI Clinic | Edmonton, AB | 780-342-2792 or 1-877-657-5770 |
| Deer Lodge OSI Clinic | Winnipeg, MB | 204-831-3420 or 1-866-310-2354 |
| St. Joseph’s OSI Clinic, Parkwood Institute | London, ON | 519-685-4292 ext. 42399, or 1-888-237-6967 |
| The Royal Ottawa OSI Clinic | Ottawa, ON | 613-722-6521 ext. 6270, or 1-877-683-4403 |
| Ste. Anne’s OSI Clinic | Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC | 514-457-3440 |
| Quebec OSI Clinic | Quebec City, QC | 418-657-3696 or 1-866-657-3696 |
| Fredericton OSI Clinic | Fredericton, NB | 506-474-2265 |
| Nova Scotia OSI Clinic | Dartmouth, NS | 902-460-6225 or 1-844-403-7963 |
Satellite service sites
- Victoria, BC
- Red Deer, AB
- Saskatoon, SK
- Hamilton, ON
- Greater Toronto, ON
- Kingston, ON
- Arnprior, ON
- Longueuil, QC
- Chicoutimi, QC
- Stratford, PE
- Sydney, NS
Satellite sites are reached through their parent clinic. For the current directory, see the VAC OSI clinic listing, or call VAC at 1-866-522-2122.
Provincial and territorial mental health supports
Every province and territory runs its own crisis and mental health services. The federal portal links to all of them. Mental health support: get help
Restorative Engagement Program
Status Concluded
Most class member engagements concluded March 31, 2026, with a small number continuing into summer 2026. The intake deadline was September 30, 2025. A final report is expected before the end of 2026.
The program is not accepting new participants. A separate Restorative Engagement Program on systemic racism is being designed under the CAF Systemic Racism Class Action settlement.
For current status, see the DCSRC restorative initiatives page, or call 1-833-998-2048.
What changed and when
I log every change here so you can see what moved and judge whether the copy of the book you are holding is still accurate.
September 2026
Page created for the fourth edition. Every number above was confirmed against the issuing organization on the review date.
A note on this page
I wrote a book. Books do not update. Helplines get renumbered, programs get renamed, and settlements close.
This page exists so that a survivor holding a used copy of my book in 2029 can still find a working number. That is the whole point of it.
If something here is wrong, out of date, or missing, email me at lbaird81@gmail.com.
Laurence M. Baird