|
In this final edition of Shelter News for 2022, we’re reflecting on how we can rebuild as a sector after a difficult few years, bringing a focus on collective care and learning into the new year.
Read on to learn about our recent Beyond Feminist Brain Drain Symposium, which brought together shelter workers from across the country to discuss collective care, burn-out, and ways to address it. Last week, we released the 2022 edition of our annual Shelter Voices report, which builds on the Feminist Brain Drain study by focusing on staffing in shelters. We also have an update on the National Action Plan, the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, and lots more!
|
|
|
|
On November 9-10, 2022, Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) brought together more than 40 representatives from shelters/transition houses across the country to participate in the Beyond Feminist Brain Drain Symposium in Ottawa. Vikki Reynolds’ keynote and workshop kicked off the symposium with provocative questions about collective care, burnout, the professionalization of our work, and whether we are a sector or a movement. Participants then attended breakout sessions on four key themes from the research: social connection and resilience; wellness; feminist leadership; and HR and recruitment. They shared their experiences and sparked lively discussions. Day Two started with a cross-sectoral panel on responding to the labour crisis in the non-profit sector. The panellists spoke about the labour challenges facing their respective sectors, work they are doing to address the issues, and how we can act collectively to make change across our sectors. Movement building, solidarity, and coming together to advocate for change were key takeaways for participants, who then worked together to propose innovative action items to address the labour challenges being experienced in shelters and transition houses.
We will be working to transform this discussion and proposed actions into an action plan. Stay tuned for the opportunity to hear about these action items and provide your feedback in a virtual forum!
|
|
Shelter Voices 2022
Every year, WSC publishes Shelter Voices using data collected from violence against women (VAW) shelters and transition houses across the country. This year, we designed Shelter Voices to contribute to our pan-Canadian Feminist Brain Drain study. Rather than a snapshot day of women and children residing in the shelter, we focused on staffing. You can find the full report on our website and infographics on our social media (@endvawnetwork). Thank you to those who contributed to the survey!
|
New Child
Welfare Report
WSC is excited to share our latest report, Child Welfare Practices and Policies in Canada. This environmental scan looks at how VAW shelters/transition houses have engaged with child welfare services across Canada, the barriers and challenges they have experienced, and emerging best practices.
|
|
16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence
November 25 marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which also kicks off the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. The 16 days is a critical time for the VAW sector to draw attention to the barriers that survivors of domestic violence face and the work shelters and transition houses do to support them. This year, WSC is focused on amplifying the eighth edition of Shelter Voices, our yearly national survey of shelters and transition houses. We will also be amplifying the incredible work of our members! Make sure to tune into our social media channels (@endvawnetwork) as we share content from this special edition dedicated to the labour issues our sector is currently facing. Don’t forget to like, comment, and tag us as you circulate to your networks!
|
Update on the
Nation Action Plan
On November 9, the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality (WAGE), announced that the provinces and territories (with the exception of Quebec) had signed on to the National Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence (GBV). WSC has been advocating for this Plan for nearly 10 years, yet the document released two weeks ago is not in fact a National Action Plan (NAP). The organizations that WSC led in the development of 2021’s ready roadmap for the NAP released a joint statement earlier this week in response. Read the full statement here.
|
|
Rogers Extension!
Attention: those who received free Rogers devices and SIM cards: All complimentary plans will now be extended to June 30, 2023. Please note that Rogers cannot replace or customize devices, and there are no new phones available at the moment.
|
|
|
WSC has started distributing the final allotment of Response & Recovery COVID-19 Federal Funds to shelters and transition houses that applied. Amended agreements that include the additional funds and/or the new extended spending deadline of September 30, 2023, are in the process of being sent out. To learn more about new funding opportunities and application deadlines, check out our webpage, Funding Opportunities for VAW Shelters and Transition Houses.
|
|
|
WSC’s Tech Safety
Canada Survey
As part of our new Technology Safety Canada project, WSC is asking shelter and transition house staff to participate in this needs assessment survey to help us better understand the prevalence of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) experienced by individuals accessing shelters and transition houses. This will also help us identify resources that are needed to help shelters and transition houses effectively support service users experiencing TFGBV. The survey closes on December 16. We encourage all shelter and transition house workers to share their experiences – please share within your organizations!
|
|
 Seeking Promising Practices
for WSC’s New Online Library
WSC is developing an online library of promising shelter practices. This online platform will allow our associate member shelters/transition houses to exchange and learn about unique and impactful promising shelter practices from across Canada. We are currently seeking promising practices to include in the library. Email Chandra at csaha@endvaw.ca to submit your practices and recommend others for the library. Learn more about the project here and stay tuned for updates! |
|
 Help Us Improve!
Share your feedback and thoughts about this newsletter through a 10-minute survey. Thanks in advance!
|
|
Events
|
|
Not Yours to Distribute! Intimate Images and Consent
Feb 8 & 9, 2023, 1:00 to 3:30 pm (ET)
Register below for a two-day Virtual Forum from the Learning Network exploring non-consensual distribution of intimate images of adults using an intersectional and sex-positive lens. Live participants will receive a Certificate of Participation after attending each day and forum recordings will be emailed to those registered.
|
|
|
Resources We Like
Guide to Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV)
Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF) has published Unacceptable: Responding to Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence, a detailed and helpful guide that defines and describes different forms of TFGBV along with steps that people experiencing TFGBV can take to address the violence, including potential legal remedies.
|
|
|
Things We've Enjoyed!
Healing Comes in Waves
We’ve found Healing Comes in Waves to be a refreshing podcast, as it shifts focus from talking about sexual violence and what was done, to how one chooses to heal. Farrah Khan, a trauma counsellor and gender-justice advocate, talks to survivors, educators, and advocates about how to attend to feelings, make connections, and figure out what justice means to help heal after harm. We hope you’ll enjoy it as well!
|
|
|
|
|
|
