Ontario Invests $2.4M in Hiatus House to Address Gender-Based Violence
WINDSOR — The Ontario government is taking action to prevent and address gender-based violence and support survivors in Windsor by investing $2,473,304 over three years in Hiatus House and their new project, HWoW – A Hub Without Walls: Ending Gender Based Violence in Windsor-Essex. This initiative will use collaborative efforts and a partner driven approach to address gender-based violence in a holistic way. By integrating early prevention and intervention, education and awareness, and long-term support, the program will address the complex needs of survivors by eliminating barriers across sectors.
“This investment in Hiatus House is a powerful step forward for preventing gender-based violence in Windsor-Essex,” said Andrew Dowie, Member of Provincial Parliament for Windsor–Tecumseh. “Supporting projects like A Hub Without Walls helps us to provide critical resources for survivors and support the healthy building of relationships through education and awareness. I’m proud to see our government investing in the safety, health, and well-being of women and families here in our community.”
Key components of HWoW will include mobile supports for survivors, including service navigation, addiction services, trauma support, and risk identification so individuals can be met with help where and when they need it.
“The committee is honoured to receive this investment into the gender-based violence sector for Windsor-Essex,” said Sylvie Guenther, Executive Director at Hiatus House. “We will work diligently with our partners to ensure that we support as many people as possible over the next two years. Our goal is to identify and support people early in order to prevent any further instances of femicide in our communities.”
“Our government is continuing to take action to end gender-based violence in all its forms,” said Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. “I’m proud that Ontario is funding new and innovative projects across the province that will prevent gender-based violence before it occurs. These projects tackle the root causes and are critical to breaking the cycle of abuse. Together with community partners, we are supporting local solutions and building safer and healthier communities for generations to come.”
This investment is part of Ontario’s actions to better respond to violence, build safer and healthier communities, and support women’s well-being and economic opportunities through Ontario’s action plan to end gender-based violence.
QUICK FACTS
Ontario is investing approximately $98 million in up to 83 new initiatives across the province that will focus on building safer communities, stopping gender-based violence before it happens, and helping survivors to recover and rebuild their lives. The ministry is currently working to confirm project details and funding agreements with the organizations that will deliver the new initiatives.
This funding builds on Ontario’s existing investments of $1.4 billion over four years in community support programs that prevent gender-based violence and support survivors. The investment is part of Ontario’s $162 million agreement with the federal government to implement the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence.
QUOTES
“By strengthening community-based services and improving economic security for survivors, our government is continuing to help prevent violence and support survivors so they can heal, rebuild their lives, and achieve financial stability for themselves and their families. I look forward to seeing how these new projects and their innovative approaches will help address gender-based violence in communities across Ontario.”
Charmaine Williams, Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity
“This funding gives us the momentum to strengthen coordination across agencies and truly align our efforts. It’s a chance to move from parallel work to unified action, building a system where survivors don’t have to navigate disconnected supports on their own.”
Amy Peirone, Coordinator of the Violence Against Women Coordinating Committee Windsor-Essex (VAWCCWE)
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Ontario’s action plan to end gender-based violence
Get help if you are experiencing violence
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MEDIA CONTACT
Meghan Lesperance
Constituency Assistant – Digital Media and Communications
Office of Andrew Dowie
MPP Windsor-Tecumseh
Ph Main: 519-251-5199 Cell: 519-567-3567
Email: meghan.lesperance@pc.ola.org