Ottawa is providing nearly $50,000 to Victims Services of Nipissing District.
Anthony Rota, Member of Parliament for Nipissing-Timiskaming, announced the money comes from the COVID-19 Emergency Gender Based Violence Fund.
In a release, he says organizations across Canada are dealing with extraordinary circumstances as violence against women and girls, particularly domestic violence, has intensified as a result of the pandemic.
“Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, gender-based violence, including sexual abuse and exploitation, and intimate partner violence was far too common,” says Rota. “This unprecedented time has brought with it challenges that many organizations could not manage alone.”
The local funding will be used to help provide a range of gender-based violence supports and services which includes:
– 24/7 assistance when requested by police or emergency services
– Needs assessment
– Practical assistance
– Referrals to relevant community and government support services
– Support to assess eligibility and apply to the Victim Quick Response Program + (VQRP+)
– Safety planning
– Provision of information
– Enhanced support
– Community support sessions; and
– Client follow-up
“Since receipt of this funding, Victim Services of Nipissing District has hired a Crisis Navigator to assist victims of gender-based violence in navigating services during the pandemic,” says Executive Director of Victim Services of Nipissing District Kathleen Jodouin. “The goal of the Crisis Navigator is to ensure victims’ access to support services is quick and responsive despite the pressures of the pandemic and change in service landscape”.
On December 17, 2021, Minister Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development Monsef announced that an agreement had been reached with Women’s Shelters Canada and the Canadian Women’s Foundation to disburse up to $36.3 million of the funding from October 2020, to women’s shelters, sexual assault centers and other organizations providing supports and services to women experiencing violence.
Over that time, shelters and services within Nipissing-Timiskaming have received $216,951.00 in total funding.
Victim Services of Nipissing District covers a 17,000 square kilometre service area, from Trout Creek to Temagami and Warren to Deux Rivieres.