Community Safety Outreach

Atira Women's Resource Society is supporting women’s community safety and outreach efforts during the FIFA World Cup 2026, from June 11 to July 19. Throughout the event, Atira will provide enhanced outreach services and foot patrols in the Downtown Eastside and along key spectator routes. Our teams will be available to connect women with support services, resources, and assistance while promoting safety, well-being, and inclusion for all.

If You Are in Immediate Danger

Call 911 (you do not need to explain everything—just say you need help)

 

If you can’t call safely:

  • Go into any busy place (hospital, hotel, store) and ask staff for help
  • You can say: “I’m not safe and need help.

Immediate Orientation

  • Stay in well-lit, populated areas (downtown core, waterfront, busy streets like Robson, Davie, Main)
  • Use landmarks to reorient:
    • Mountains = North
    • Ocean (harbour) = North/West
    • False Creek = South of downtown
    • East Van – To the east
    • West End – Bay of water with beach and apartment buildings
    • Downtown East Side – Facing north, older buildings
    • The large round building that looks like a soccer ball is in the east at Falso Creek

Safe Places You Can Go (Right Away)

These are non-judgmental, confidential spaces where staff understand exploitation/trafficking:

  • Hospitals / Emergency Rooms (open 24/7, you can access help regardless of your status)
  • Police stations (you can ask for help without committing to a report)
  • Community centers or libraries during daytime
  • Large hotels (front desks can help you safely connect to services)

Safety Moves (If You Are Being Controlled)

Do only what feels safe—these are options, not expectations:

  • Try to keep your ID or any documents if possible
  • Memorize or write down:
    • Your name, date of birth
    • Any phone numbers you trust
  • If you can, keep a small amount of cash hidden
  • Use public Wi-Fi (libraries, cafes) to look up help privately
  • If someone is monitoring you:
    • Ask for help in a way that sounds casual (e.g., asking staff for directions, then quietly saying you need help)

Areas to Move Through Confidently


Safer, busier zones (generally):

  • Waterfront / Canada Place
  • Robson Street / Downtown core
  • Yaletown
  • Coal Harbour / Seawall
  • Kitsilano (during daytime/evening)

Use more caution in:

  • Downtown Eastside (around Hastings & Main)
  • Some parts of Chinatown after dark
  • Quiet industrial or poorly lit areas at night


(Important: these are context-based—many people safely move through all areas, but awareness matters.)

Specialized Support in Vancouver

Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS)

  • Crisis line: 1-855-687-1868
  • Offers advocacy, safety planning, trauma-informed support

Atira Women’s Resource Society

  • Supports women experiencing violence and housing instability
  • Vancouver Women Health & Safety: 604-690-9889 Surrey Outreach: 604-262-3405

PACE Society

  • Peer-led support for sex workers, focused on safety and rights
  • 604-669-6943

WISH Drop-In Centre Society (Downtown Eastside)

  • Safe space, food, support, connection to housing and outreach
  • 604-681-9244

Vancouver Rape Relief & Women’s Shelter

  • 24-hour line: 604-872-8212

VictimLink BC (24/7, multilingual)

  • Call or text: 1-800-563-0808
  • Can help you find safe housing, legal help, and local resources

You can contact any of these even if you’re unsure about your situation

Downtown & Central Vancouver

Coal Harbour

  • Waterfront views, marina, luxury condos
  • Seawall walking/biking with mountain backdrop
  • Access to Stanley Park

Financial District

  • Glass towers, central business area
  • Close to major hotels and transit
  • Less touristy, more weekday activity

Robson Street

  • Main shopping corridor
  • Restaurants, cafes, global brands
  • Busy, vibrant pedestrian area

Stanley Park Area

Stanley Park

  • One of North America’s largest urban parks
  • Seawall loop (walking/cycling)
  • Totem poles, Beaver Lake, forest trails

English Bay / West End

  • Popular beach for sunsets
  • Dense residential + LGBTQ2S + friendly Davie Village nearby
  • Restaurants and casual nightlife

Waterfront & Historic Areas

Gastown

  • Oldest neighbourhood in Vancouver
  • Cobblestone streets, heritage buildings
  • Steam Clock, boutique shops, upscale dining

Canada Place / Waterfront

  • Cruise terminal, convention centre
  • Iconic “sail” architecture
  • Starting point for harbour tours and seaplanes

Chinatown

  • Historic cultural district
  • Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
  • Markets and traditional food spots

Entertainment Areas

Yaletown 

  • Former warehouse district turned trendy hub 
  • Upscale dining, patios, nightlife 
  • Near False Creek seawall 

Granville Street (Entertainment District) 

  • Nightclubs, live music, theatres 
  • Lively nightlife, especially weekends 

Granville Island 

  • Public Market (food, artisan goods) 
  • Arts studios, theatre, waterfront views 
  • Family-friendly, ferry access 

East Vancouver (Emerging & Local)

Commercial Drive 

  • Diverse, multicultural area 
  • Cafes, live music, indie shops 

Mount Pleasant 

  • Craft breweries, street art 
  • Trendy but less tourist-heavy 

West Side & Beaches

Kitsilano (Kits) 

  • Kits Beach (popular in summer) 
  • Laid-back, active lifestyle 
  • Yoga, cafes, organic shops 

Point Grey / Spanish Banks / Jericho 

  • Wide sandy beaches 
  • Views of mountains and UBC 
  • Quieter than downtown beaches 

UBC & Pacific Spirit Park 

  • University campus 
  • Museum of Anthropology 
  • Forest trails and coastal views 

Important to Know

  • You are not to blame for what’s happening
  • You have the right to safety, healthcare, and support—regardless of status
  • You do not have to cooperate with police to receive help
  • Services in Vancouver are generally trauma-informed and confidential

Grounding Thought

  • You deserve safety, dignity, and choice 
  • There are people in Vancouver who understand this situation and will meet you with care—not judgment 
  • There are support teams patrolling the tourist areas ready to help you 

Links and Resources

CoV Human Rights FiFa

Substance use and recovery supports 

Shelters  

Women’s  Support 

Indigenous Services 

Public Transit/Ride Share apps 

Bathrooms Map 

Sex Work Support 

LGBTQ2IA+  

Other