Ontario Working to Stop Violence Against Women and Support Survivors

Minister’s provincial table to provide input on improving services locally

THE VOICE OF CANADA NEWS | TORONTO :  Ontario’s Government for the People is tapping into a network of community partners, including about 900 member organizations, agencies and partners, to help stop violence against women and improve services for survivors.

“It is imperative that women and girls live free from violence, especially in their own homes and communities,” said Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services and Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues. “We want to make sure those affected by violence and exploitation receive the supports they need, while offenders are held accountable through the justice system.”

Our government is investing $11.5 million this year to better support frontline shelter workers serving women and children and delivering counselling programs across the province. This funding directly supports more than 400 agencies. Close to one-third of this funding is for Indigenous centres providing supports to Indigenous women and children. This funding builds on the $163 million yearly funding for violence against women services for a total of $174.5 million in funding this year.

Consultation with the 48 existing Violence Against Women Coordinating Committees across the province will help to integrate and improve services for the women in Ontario who need it most. These local committees work through community coordination, training and public awareness to respond to violence against women and help survivors.

“Our government will continue to work with local leaders in the field and hear from those with lived experience,” said MacLeod. “Working closely with community partners to improve access to and coordination of services will allow us to build and strengthen partnerships with stakeholders to protect women and girls.”

“We are committed to programs that support survivors and those at risk of violence, including through emergency shelters and counselling services,” said MacLeod. “Working with community partners to improve access to and coordination of services will allow us to build and strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders to protect the ‘girl next door.’”

QUICK FACTS

1 in 3 women will experience sexual violence in their lifetime.

Women are three times more likely to be stalked and three-and-a-half times more likely to be a victim of intimate partner violence.

Indigenous women are three times more likely to be a victim of a violent crime and three times more likely to experience spousal violence than non-Indigenous women.