Ontario putting up $242-million to aid victims of sexual violence

The provincial government is improving services and supports for survivors of domestic and sexual violence in Ottawa.

It is part of the new Ontario-wide program, 'It's Never Okay: Ontario's Gender-Based Violence Strategy.'

In an announcement Friday morning, government officials said $242-million will go toward framework that will build on its Domestic Violence Action Plan, It's Never Okay: An Action Plan to Stop Sexual Violence and Harassment, and Walking Together: Ontario’s Long-Term Strategy to End Violence Against Indigenous Women and Ontario's Strategy to End Human Trafficking.

The new strategy includes addressing the root causes of violence with early intervention, helping survivors recover and ensuring the justice system is more responsive to the unique needs of victims and their families. 

“By investing in these programs, we are providing the Ottawa region with vital support needed to meet the growing demand for services and working to make our community a safer place,” explained Attorney General Yasir Naqvi.

The province said it will also be focused on helping survivors get the help they need, when they need it, by extending and expanding the free Independent Legal Advice program province-wide.  That ensures survivors can get advice on their options at any point after a sexual assault. Ottawa was one of three cities to pilot this program in 2016.

Executive Director Ottawa Victim Services Melissa Heimerl said, “We are incredibly grateful that in light of all the community advocacy happening here in Ottawa and all over Ontario that our government is not only listening to our concerns, but taking action to improve the level of service delivery we can offer to women experiencing violence. We need to show survivors especially in light of the #MeToo movement that we are listening and that we as victim service providers have the capacity to help them in the immediate aftermath of their victimization.”

The province added that increasing the capacity of sexual assault centres is also a priority in this new plan, in order to meet the growing demand for services, as well as serve more vulnerable clients — especially those living in rural communities.

Other expected improvements include increased funding to the Family Court Support Worker Program and enhancing service and system capacity of the Partner Assault Response Program.

The government is also developing new policing standards on sexual assault and domestic violence investigations. It said it is exploring innovative and alternative justice approaches to enhance the choices available to survivors of sexual violence.
 
To locate victim services near you, use the Victim Services Directory or call the Victim Support Line toll-free at 1-888-579-2888.