Emergency

Residential Historical Abuse Program (RHAP)

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Need help immediately?

If there is a life-threatening safety concern, please call 9-1-1 or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.

Suicide prevention hotline: 1-800-784-2433

BC Crisis Line: 604-310-6789

Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868

Indigenous Crisis and Support Line - KUU-US Crisis Support Line: 1-800-588-8717

Harm reduction: Toward the Heart 

The Residential Historical Abuse Program funds trauma-specific counselling for adults who were sexually abused as children or youth while living in the care of the British Columbia provincial government in placements including foster homes, group homes, and certain residential facilities. This program is contract-based with contracting private therapists across the region in their own offices.

What to expect

When your application is approved, Residential Historical Abuse Program (RHAP) will contact you directly by phone. RHAP will provide you with a list of counsellors currently accepting clients. If you already have a counsellor, RHAP will need to ensure that they meet VCH’s professional standards and may be able to support you to continue to see your current counsellor. 

RHAP will arrange payment directly with your RHAP counsellor. There is no fee charged to you for these services.

How to access

  • Check eligibility

    To qualify for RHAP, you must sign a statement that says: 

    • you currently live in British Columbia and are over 19 years old
    • you were under the age of 19 when you were sexually abused
    • at the time of the abuse, you were living in a home or residential facility funded by the Province of British Columbia

    You do not have to file a police report or prove that you were sexually abused to be eligible for RHAP. However, you will be required to identify the home or facility where the abuse occurred.

  • Self-refer

    Self-refer by completing the one-page application and submit it by mail or fax. We are not able to accept applications by email due to privacy and confidentiality regulations. 

    Residential Historical Abuse Program brochure & application

    • Fax: (604) 874-7661
    • Mail: 200 - 520 West 6th Avenue Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H5

  • We will contact you

    After you submit your application, RHAP will contact you by telephone or mail. If you do not have a counsellor, RHAP can help you find one. If you already have a counsellor, RHAP must ensure that they meet VCH’s professional standards. RHAP arranges payment directly with your counsellor. You and your counsellor will develop a treatment plan that may include individual, group or family counselling.

Frequently asked questions

  • Do we require the abuse to be reported?

    To apply, the dates of when you were in care and/or the address of the home or facility when the sexual abuse occurred (if known) is required. If children currently live in the home who may need protection, the appropriate government ministry and/or the police may contact you for more information. If you receive counselling through RHAP, you still have the right to seek legal advice through a lawyer, take legal action and or file a police report if you choose to do so. You do not have to file a police report or prove sexual abuse occurred to be eligible for RHAP.

  • What if I live outside of the Vancouver Coastal Health region?

    VCH provides RHAP services throughout the VCH health region.

    If you live outside of the VCH health region, please contact your home health region listed below to apply for service in your health area. RHAP is a provincial program and is offered through each health authority.

How to become a RHAP provider

​To apply to be a contracted RHAP provider, email RHAP@vch.ca or call (604) 875-4255 for more information. 

Eligibility

  • Clinicians have a minimum of a master's degree in an applicable field with a minimum of 3 years post-masters experience
  • Clinicians are in good standing with their registration body
  • Clinicians work in private practice with capacity for in person sessions in a professional office setting with varied appointment times available
  • Clinicians also have experience and or advanced training in supporting clients with complex trauma

Resources