Victims of gender-based violence will have additional support, as two organizations in Vancouver receive grants totalling $175,000 to enhance programs.

The Ending Violence Association of BC (EVA BC) is receiving a one-time grant of $100,000 to continue supporting new and developing interagency case assessment teams (ICATs). This grant will allow EVA BC to deliver between four and seven training sessions, which will enhance skills and understanding of domestic-violence risk identification, safety planning, and collaboration and co-ordination. ICATs are a partnership of local agencies — including police, social services and transition houses — that bring together service providers to share information, identify risks and create safety plans for high-risk domestic violence cases. There are approximately 55 teams throughout the province.

The BC Society for Transition Houses (BCSTH) is receiving a one-time grant of $75,000 to deliver the Violence is Preventable (VIP) program in schools. The VIP program provides presentations in schools to increase awareness of violence against women and the companion Prevention, Education, Advocacy, Counselling and Empowerment (PEACE) program ensures that children and youth impacted by domestic violence receive the support services they need. Since 2004, 90 PEACE programs have partnered with educators in communities to increase awareness about domestic violence and the impact it has on children and youth.

“It is important that we recognize the positive impact these organizations have on their communities,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “These grants will help enable the organizations to continue to provide essential services to victims of gender-based violence.”

Along with these grants, the government has also invested $5 million to support initiatives in helping reduce waitlists and adding vital services such as counselling and outreach, and crisis support, with an additional $18 million over three years to continue to meet the demand for the services. The ministry currently provides over $35 million annually to support over 400 victim service and violence against women programs throughout the province.

The announcement of the grants coincides with the United Nations’ 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. The Province joined the campaign to help advance gender equity, make life better and make communities safer for women, girls and transgender people in B.C. and around the world.

Quotes:

Tracy Porteous, executive director, EVA BC –

“The Ending Violence Association of BC has been supporting communities around the province for more than two decades, specializing in increasing the safety of women and children through cross-sectoral co-ordination and collaboration. With this grant, we are able to deliver more training for new and developing interagency case assessment teams to ensure these teams have the necessary support, skills and tools to identify risk and manage safety in the highest-risk domestic violence cases around the province.”

Amy S. FitzGerald, interim executive director, BCSTH –

“Children and youth who experience domestic violence have unique needs and require specialized services. The BC Society of Transition Houses knows how important it is to prevent violence against women through prevention, education and support services. We are grateful that these funds will support the delivery of our members’ Violence is Preventable (VIP) programs in B.C. schools, grades K -12, along with the companion PEACE program support services. This funding will allow these critical programs to promote awareness of the effects of domestic violence on B.C. students while connecting children and youth experiencing violence to supportive services.”

Learn More:

To learn more about EVA BC, visit: http://endingviolence.org/

To learn more about BCSTH, visit: https://bcsth.ca/