REGINA — A Regina organization providing gender-based violence programs is pleased with the news of more funds pledged by the federal government.
Recently, the Canadian government pledged $660 million towards gender equality and “2SLGBTQIA+” communities in the next five years, with part of that funding shifted towards gender-based violence programs.
Jen Renwick, director of gender-based violence protective services at Family Service Regina, said new funding would help kick-start new initiatives and ideas currently “sitting on a shelf.”
“We see gaps in support that we're able to provide and that other community agencies and organizations can [also] provide. Certainly, one of them would be around working with older adults.”
Renwick mentioned older adults may rely on those exploiting them. Older women are subjected to 58 per cent of family violence cases in Canada, according to Woman ACT.
“We also have people who may be experiencing health complications, memory complications, other sorts of capacity issues that are really tricky to navigate within the health system.”
Renwick also alluded to deepening collaboration and partnership regarding Family Service Regina’s Enhanced Early Intervention Supports program.
The program is a collaboration with Family Service Saskatoon and works directly with local police to identify families or individuals at-risk of violence.
As for the need for gender-based violence programs, Renwick said the organization receives between 400 and 600 referrals a month.
While referrals have increased over the years, the organization has also allowed more referrals upon expansion.
The need for more services is apparent for groups in Saskatchewan, as the province has the highest rate of gender-based violence in the country, according to the Sexual Assault Services of Saskatchewan.
In light of this, the province recently announced nearly $5.2 million in funding for gender-based violence through the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General to several initiatives through the National Action Plan (NAP) to end gender-based violence.
"The participating agencies are guiding and fostering change as they build tools and programs to proactively address gender-based violence," said Justice Minister and Attorney General Tim McLeod.
