Ontario ministry, Toronto-based legal clinic to receive $6 million in funding
The Department of Justice Canada announced that it has allotted $6 million in funding over the next five years to support several projects aimed at addressing gender-based violence in Ontario.
The justice department confirmed that the funding is consistent with Canada’s commitment to assist victims and survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence and tackle sexual harassment in the workplace.
In particular, the funding will be used to strengthen the “Family Court Support Worker Program” administered by the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.
The program helps victims of intimate partner violence going through a family court process to look for “family court support workers” within their local communities. These workers are hired and trained by victim service agencies and available in all court districts across Ontario.
The funding will also be used to expand the services provided by Toronto-based Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic under its two separate initiatives – “It's My Choice” and “#AndMeToo.”
The first project provides trauma-informed legal advice and representation to survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence across the province. Meanwhile, the second one offers public legal education for women and gender-diverse people who work in the hospitality and service industry and experience or at risk of experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace.
“Providing support for organizations like the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic and the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services is critical so that they can better support, empower, and keep victims of sexual and gender-based violence safe,” Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada David Lametti said. “These three projects are great examples of innovative approaches to ensuring that all Canadians can feel safe, supported and respected.”
