Nipissing University researchers are getting some national funding to examine supports for Indigenous survivors of sexual assault.
Dr. Nancy Stevens and Dr. Rosemary Nagy have been awarded a Partnership Engage Grant, valued at nearly $25,000, to further their research into the topic.
Officials say the project examines the Muskoka Parry Sound Sexual Assault Service’s history of providing Indigenous-specific supports for Indigenous survivors of sexual violence, with a goal of helping agencies provide more effective supports to Indigenous clients, all while developing and delivering Indigenous-specific therapeutic supports in sexual assault centres across Ontario.
“Despite extremely high rates of victimizations, there has been virtually no research or writing done about mainstream community sexual assault centres or services providing culturally appropriate supports to their Indigenous clients,” said Stevens. “This funding will enable us to host some focused discussions with the staff and board of the organization to explore what has been done well, where the challenges lie, and how the supports might grow. It will also allow us to mentor student skills-development in research and writing and build their experience in working with community.”