Our Services – Woman Inc

Woman Inc. Is Your Safe Space for Support

Woman Inc.’s services consist of The Crisis Centre; a Crisis Shelter; a 24-hour Hotline; a Public Education Programme aimed at Primary and Secondary Schools, Community groups, Churches, and the general public; a Legal Reform Committee that lobbies and advocates for Legislative change. In addition, the organisation provides sensitization training for corporate groups and members of the police services and military, through its Public Education Programme.

The Crisis Centre

The Crisis Centre has been in existence since February 1985. It provides professional and specialized advice and outreach support to women, (and men), that have, or are experiencing matters concerning rape, incest, domestic violence and domestic crisis.

The Centre seeks to assist women in working toward self-empowerment and to gain the necessary insights to handle their particular crisis. As women are empowered, they become more self-assured and this contributes to positive self-esteem and independence.

The Crisis Centre in Kingston offers walk-in counselling services from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm and telephone counselling 24 hours per day every day of the year. The Crisis Centre in Montego Bay (1991) is generally open 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday – Friday

Need advice?

The Hotline

The Kingston Crisis Centre provides a 24-hour hotline service, which has been in operation since 1985. Walk-in and telephone counselling service is provided in office from Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Outside of these hours, the hotline service is provided where counselling is available on the telephone. The Hotline Counselling Service is an ongoing and very important aspect of the overall counselling services. This hotline operates solely with volunteers who give of their time to further the work of the Crisis Centre. All hotline volunteers are provided with in-house training prior to serving. They are also required to undergo an annual recurrent training session in order to maintain their active duty status.

Call the hot line number 876-929-2997 24-hours or if in the Montego Bay area call: 876-952-9533. Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

The Crisis Shelter

The Crisis Shelter functions as an emergency temporary residence for women in crisis. The location is kept confidential to protect the safety of the women. The referred cases are usually abused women as a result of incest, rape, or temporary homelessness due to domestic violence. In many cases small children and babies are involved. The victims are generally seen at the Crisis Centre, the cases assessed and then sent to the Shelter. When the incident occurs during the night, the Volunteer on the Hotline, with the agreement of the ‘Back-up’ counsellor, may refer the victims to the Police who will escort the person to the Shelter, providing there is space. A shelter Manager attends to the smooth running and supervision of the Shelter that was opened in 1987 and continues to be the only one of its kind in Jamaica.

Need advice?

Public Education

The organisation initiated its public education programme in 1989, aiming to raise the consciousness of the nation regarding the high incidence and impact of rape, incest, domestic violence and other forms of abuse to women in the society. Along with carrying this message, the Public Education Committee explains the variety of circumstances in which abuse occurs, explores the emotional and physical damage it inflicts, and presents measures to prevent the behaviour and to heal the damage.

We have reached a large cross-section of the society through workshops in schools, churches and community groups, as well as through media presentations. Would you like us to work with your company or group?

The Crisis Shelter currently has limited capacity and can only accommodate a small number of women at any one time. However, additional facilities are being built to fill this need and more information will be provided shortly. We aim to provide support to all who need it. Don’t hesitate to contact us for help.