Minister Anand Federal Funding Announcement
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by
Shelagh
Minister Anand highlights federal funding with representatives of the Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services of Halton
From Women and Gender Equality Canada
May 24, 2023 – Halton, Ontario — Women and Gender Equality Canada
Today, the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defense and Member of Parliament for Oakville, on behalf of the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth met with representatives of the Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services (SAVIS) of Halton to highlight the progress of their project, Trauma and Cultural Informed Crisis Line Survivors.
Minister Anand was pleased to hear that the robust services, resources, and supports provided by the organization are serving the urgent needs of those experiencing gender-based violence. This project received almost $110,000 in funding through Women’s and Gender Equality Canada’s in December 2022.
The funding has allowed SAVIS of Halton to hire a crisis-line coordinator for the first time and to update the training curriculum for their crisis-line volunteers, which is now aligned with best-practices and includes a trauma-informed perspective. This curriculum was developed following an extensive intersectional consultation with those who are traditionally marginalized and under-represented in decisions, in particular the 2SLGBTQI+ and Indigenous communities. They are currently piloting the revised material.
As a further project outcome, SAVIS of Halton has worked with two of their main partners – Nina’s Place and Victim Services – to develop a video for those who have experienced sexual violence, showing how the three services, medical, legal and crisis counselling support, work together to provide wrap-around care. It is due to be released at the end of May.
Minister Anand was also pleased to learn that SAVIS of Halton will be sharing their learnings with the gender-based violence sector to help strengthen supports to Indigenous and 2SLGBTQI+ gender-based violence survivors and their families across Canada.
Minister Anand concluded the event by thanking the organization for their important work and commitment to meaningfully engaging with Indigenous and 2SLGBTQI+ victims and survivors of gender-based violence, which ensures trauma- and culturally-informed programming.
Quotes
“I am grateful for the crucial work that SAVIS does in Oakville and Halton. Thanks to this federal grant of approximately $110,000, SAVIS is expanding its services by bolstering its staff and volunteer network – enabling it to assist many more survivors who need this support. We will continue to strengthen survivor-centric support services and work to ensure that no one is left behind in our Oakville community.”
- Hon. Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Oakville
“This grant through Women and Gender Equality Canada, is providing SAVIS the opportunity to support survivors of sexual assault and gender-based violence with trauma informed services. SAVIS is collaborating with an advisory committee, community agencies and stakeholders to bring forth guiding principles, training modules and community resources.”
- Silvia Samsa, SAVIS Executive Director
Associated links
- Government of Canada announces three projects to prevent gender-based violence in Ontario
- Backgrounder: Funding supports three projects to prevent gender-based violence in Ontario
- Backgrounder: Gender-Based Violence Program
- Women and Gender Equality Canada
- Gender-Based Violence Knowledge Centre
- National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence
Contacts
Owen McAdams
Manager, Communications
Office of Hon. Anita Anand, Member of Parliament for Oakville
905-483-3546
Johise Namwira
Press Secretary and Issues Manager
Office of the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth
873-353-0985
Johise.Namwira@fegc-wage.gc.ca
Media Relations
Women and Gender Equality Canada
819-420-6530
FEGC.Media.WAGE@fegc-wage.gc.ca
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