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Crisis Navigator hired to assist victims of gender based violence

'Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, gender-based violence, including sexual abuse and exploitation, and intimate partner violence was far too common'
2015 12 1 Domestic Violence 2
Domestic Violence and Abuse

Victims Services of Nipissing District has used federal grant money to hire a Crisis Navigator to assist victims of gender-based violence in navigating services during the pandemic.

It's part of the latest round of funding from the Covid-19 Emergency Gender Based Violence Funding.

Executive Director of Victim Services of Nipissing District Kathleen Jodouin says, "The goal of the Crisis Navigator is to ensure that victim’ access to support services is quick and responsive despite the pressures of the pandemic and change in service landscape”.

Across Canada, organizations are dealing with extraordinary circumstances as violence against women and girls, particularly domestic violence, has intensified as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a news release.

“Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, gender-based violence, including sexual abuse and exploitation, and intimate partner violence was far too common,” says MPP Anthony Rota.

“This unprecedented time has brought with it challenges that many organizations could not manage alone.”  

In the latest round of funding, Victim Services of Nipissing District will receive $49,950 to continue to help provide a range of gender-based violence supports and services.

On December 17, 2020, 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 $216,950 in total funding.