Content Warning: This article refers to sexual and intimate violence.
Before entering politics, I worked at the grassroots level as a counsellor with VictimLink. I coordinated services for women and children whose lives were impacted by a near constant threat of violence.
That is why April was an important month for me and the many organizations, service providers and people impacted by sexual and intimate violence. Not only was it Sexual Assault Awareness Month, but April 14-20 was Prevention of Violence Against Women Week. For me, April marked a time of reflection on my experiences as a frontline service provider for women and children fleeing violence.
My job was at times heartbreaking, but it was made even more difficult by the drastic cuts and underfunding of essential services that became commonplace under the previous BC Liberal government. In 2003 alone, the BC Liberals cut core funding for 37 women’s centres throughout the province.
I still remember getting calls at three o’clock in the morning, the voice of a courageous mother on the other side asking if I could find her and her child shelter from an abusive partner. I would call every transition house in the area looking for spaces…But too often the answer was that they were all full.
That is why when we formed government, we went into recovery mode. In 2017, to address the immediate needs generated by systemic underfunding, we invested $5 million to reduce waitlists for vital services like counselling, outreach, and crisis support. And Budget 2018 provided an additional $18 million over three years for continued services.
Our government recognizes the need for an empathetic response to addressing sexual and intimate partner violence in our province. Through this lens of empathy, we can look at the big picture and employ a holistic approach.
An empathetic response to violence also means listening to the voices of those most impacted by violence, and responding with their lived-experiences in mind. For example, we know that it takes a survivor an average of seven attempts to leave an abusive relationship permanently. During this time, survivors need and deserve a safe place where they can feel free to make choices about their own healing journey. With this in mind, we are dedicating $734 million to build 1,500 new transition homes for women and children fleeing violence, including emotional support and safety planning.
We also know that in order to break cycles of abuse, survivors need access to economic opportunities to gain financial independence. So, we are committing annual funding for skills training and employment supports for survivors of violence in our province.
Immediate services after experiencing sexual violence are also integral to the healing process for many survivors. That is why our government is providing $200,000 to ensure the continuation of the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre which provides crisis support, medical services, and reporting options for survivors.
Finally, our government knows that by providing early intervention to those who perpetrate violence and abuse in relationships, we can support changes in behaviour, more positive outcomes, and healthier relationships. We are providing $30,000 to ten different community organizations who deliver group programming for those who commit violence in intimate relationships.
These are just a few examples of the comprehensive approach our government is taking. We know that violence doesn’t happen in a vacuum; rather, it is the culmination of many different intersecting systems, and so we cannot assume a one-size-fits-all approach will work. Grounded in empathy, we must remain attentive to the ways in which violence disproportionately impacts certain communities, and we must challenge the issue from all sides.
One of the biggest teachings from my time on the frontline is that every survivor carries a story of strength, courage and resilience. I am proud to be part of a government that is making the changes necessary to honour and uplift those stories. Though we have far yet to go, I welcome the opportunity for us to reflect on where we have come from, to celebrate our efforts now, and to challenge ourselves to do even more in the future.
If you or someone you know is being impacted by sexual, gender-based or intimate partner violence, more information and services can be found at the following links:
VictimLink: 1-800-563-0808