A Safe Home Changes Everything

Since 1994, BWSS has been envisioning the day when we can expand on our mission by providing housing for women. We’ve patiently awaited the right opportunity as we never wanted to grow for the sake of growth but rather to make the best of key opportunities that leverage the biggest impact for women and their children experiencing violence. We recognize that the time is now to make the biggest impact for women and their children experiencing violence, and we do not want to miss out during this key time in a housing crisis. Join us in shaping the future of housing in British Columbia.

In response to the dire situation faced by women and children during the COVID-19 pandemic, when traditional transition houses were temporarily forced to close their doors, BWSS took decisive action. We partnered with a local hotelier to operate emergency transitional housing, offering a safe haven for up to 40 women and children fleeing domestic, intimate partner, and sexualized violence, and continued to provide employment, legal advocacy, counselling, crisis intervention, and more. During this time, we witnessed firsthand the significant impact safe transitional housing has on survivors’ lives.

Empowered by this experience and with our 45 years of supporting survivors of domestic, intimate partner, and sexualized violence, including housing, in May 2024, we are opening 10 second-stage housing units where women and their children can reside while receiving comprehensive wrap-around support services.

Embarking on the journey to break free from abuse is no easy feat; it’s a maze of challenges, a complex navigation of survival. The path to safety unfolds in stages of crisis, stabilization and healing, and living free from violence.

 

What is Second Stage Housing?

In the first stage of “crisis,” a first-stage housing solution, such as shorter-term transition houses and safe home programs, provides an emergency exit strategy for women fleeing violence. Our Second-Stage Housing focuses on “stabilization and healing” on the path to safety, providing a longer-term stay option that is a safe space where empowerment, healing, and specialized support are intertwined. In this transformative program, survivors can develop their independence and access wrap-around support such as counselling, a chance at mother-child reunification, an opportunity to alleviate isolation by building community, and a palette of other resources to paint their own path towards freedom. It’s not just about securing a physical space; it’s about building a bridge between the chaos of crisis and living free from violence.

Second-stage housing isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution as each survivor navigates through a unique tapestry of experiences. This program caters specifically to women seeking independent living with additional support. Not everyone may opt for it, but for those desiring extra assistance during their journey to safety and stabilization, Second-Stage Housing becomes a vital solution.

As we approach the opening of the Second-Stage Housing in May 2024, we have actively forged amazing partnerships with organizations and government agencies who acknowledge the priority of housing for survivors of violence and have raised $3,810,490 towards this campaign. We are almost at the finish line, but we need your help to raise the remaining $650,000 for capital and furnishings for the units. With your help, we can create not just transitional housing but also a cocoon of support, a chrysalis where survivors metamorphose.

Join us on this journey toward the opening of BWSS Second-Stage Housing. Your support will be pivotal in providing safe, secure housing for women and girls fleeing from violence.

Because a safe home changes everything.

Pornographic deepfakes of Taylor Swift sparked widespread concern. BC introduces the Intimate Images Protection Act to address deepfake images.

An image with a Black woman looking intently holding their hands in front of them with a flame above her. It is showcasing a workshop for Black women.

The recent spread of explicit AI-generated images depicting Taylor Swift has sparked widespread concern and calls for legislative action against deepfake images and non-consensual sharing of images. 

Today marks a significant milestone for sextortion legislation in British Columbia with the implementation of the new Intimate Images Protection Act. This legislation includes references to deepfake images and grants prosecutors more power to convict individuals who share intimate images without consent. Now the next crucial step is to advocate for legislation that addresses the creators of these horrible, non-consensual images and ensures accountability for social media companies. 

The case with Swift underscores the urgent need for comprehensive legislation to combat deepfakes on social media. These horrific images, viewed by millions before removal, not only violated Swift’s privacy but also amplified the debate around tech and social media’s role in facilitating such harmful content.  

AI’s availability has made production of deepfake creations more accessible and widespread. It poses a concern for survivors of sexual abuse. Perpetrators can still wield power by threatening to distribute such fabricated intimate material. This coercive tactic perpetuates trauma and reinforces the cycle of abuse, compelling survivors to remain in or return to harmful situations out of fear of exposure and humiliation. 

At BWSS, while we appreciate the public illumination of concerning issues, we condemn what happened to Swift. We advocate for more robust measures to address the creators behind such incidents. Swift may be considering legal action against the website that created the explicit and fabricated images of her. While Swift has resources to do so, what about women without access to such support? Many victims are overlooked, and the creators of their intimate deepfake images often go unpunished. Posing a threat to women everywhere. 

Recent Canadian deepfake cases highlights the inadequacies of existing laws. So we commend the BC government for taking a proactive approach in addressing these issues through the Intimate Images Protection Act. We are dedicated to collaborating with the government to push for legislation that keeps up with the fast-paced concerns faced by women in the digital era. 

Swift’s ordeal serves as a harsh reminder of the urgent need for coordinated action, both domestically and globally, to confront the proliferation of deepfake tech. It also emphasizes the need for addressing the existing gap in the legal framework for prosecuting creators and ensuring accountability for social media companies. 

It is only through collaborative efforts, involving legislative reforms, technological advancements, and comprehensive public awareness campaigns, that we can effectively address the risks posed by AI tech and uphold the fundamental principles of privacy and consent in the digital era.  

Share this blog on social media (see post on @endingviolence) and let’s bring more awareness to this social issue.  

Flowers sent to the office? When will this end? (Stalking Awareness Month)

An image with a Black woman looking intently holding their hands in front of them with a flame above her. It is showcasing a workshop for Black women.

Flowers sent to the office? When will this end?

Imagine coming back from lunch, and flowers are on your desk, with a note that says, “I love you.” Your co-workers gather around, congratulating you and excited for you to receive such a special gift. But what if these flowers had come from an abusive ex-partner, and you know this is a threat?

January is Stalking Awareness Month; we’re urging those around awareness and how to take action to respond to stalking, also known as criminal harassment. BWSS witnesses all too often the many avenues taken by abusive partners to instill fear and control. Here are examples of stalking behaviour listed as per the Stalking Prevention, Awareness, & Resource Center (SPARC):

  • Surveillance – the most commonly identified stalking tactic.
  • Life invasion – direct entry or through electronic means into the private sphere of victims
  • Intimidation – impact of the totality of abusive behaviours such as threats/actual harm
  • Interference through sabotage or attack – behaviours affecting reputation, employment and/or physical safety.

These behaviours also include cyberstalking, appearing in locations the victim regularly visits, appearing at their place of employment, or sending unwanted gifts like flowers. What seems like an innocuous gesture forces the victim into isolation as the underlying threat of “I know where you are, I know where you work, and I’m watching you,” making it hard for women to explain to their co-workers why this would be a threat. This is isolation in plain sight.

Stalking has been referred to as homicide in slow motion, where the action or behaviour of stalking can be the precursor to femicide:

Statistics Canada reports show police-reported family violence increased for the fifth consecutive year in 2021, with a total of 127,082 victims. On average, every six days, a woman is killed by an intimate partner, the agency said. It found that criminal harassment was 10 percent higher in 2021 than in the two years prior, while indecent and harassing communications increased by 29 percent since 2019.

Many women, girls, and gender-diverse people who access our services are currently experiencing stalking or have experienced stalking in the past. This is why we address stalking in the context of domestic, intimate partner, and sexualized violence through our risk assessments, safety planning, and wrap-around support to assist survivors in their pursuit of safety. Safety changes everything.

Join us via social media throughout the month of January to learn more about stalking and how you can take action and respond to stalking in your community.

Instagram: @endingviolence
Facebook: @violencestopshere
X: @endingviolence
Website: bwss.org

If you are concerned for yourself or someone else, please call us at 1-855-687-1868.

2022 – 2023 Impact Report

In 2024 expect to see some bold steps into new initiatives in training, legal and systemic advocacy, employment for survivors, and second stage transition housing.

Our Journey Continues

The past three years have hurt as we stretched to meet the challenges in front of us at redline effort and our organization bent from the pressure of what it means to do anti-violence work through the effects of a global pandemic. Things became remarkably more challenging as we experienced the impact of the clawing back of the gender and racial equity gains our communities had worked so hard for leading up to 2019.

The struggle was made easier because of you and all our communities across Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and internationally. We are honoured by all the relationships that teach us, sustain us, and inspire us. Our fabulous volunteers – 140 strong, our fierce staff team and enormously dedicated leadership team, our brilliant board members, our dynamic donors, our government partners, First Nations, Urban Indigenous partners, our community collaborators, our accomplices, and the over 45,000 people who reached out seeking information, support, healing, advocacy, and safety.

The urgency of this moment propels us forward as we reaffirm the vision, mission, and values that have lasted the test of time, specifically how the founding women at BWSS recognized that gender-based violence does not take place only between two individuals in isolation. Rather, violence occurs in a social context and a worldview that systemically reinforces the power of some people to oppress others.
So, we stay on the frontline, meeting survivors where they are. Reading through our Impact Report, you will likely have noted how BWSS is perfecting a deep intersectional feminist, trauma, and violence-informed response. More than throwaway lines, this is our life, and it’s shaped by 44 years of applying the lessons and teachings derived directly from the women, girls, and gender-diverse people we exist to serve. In 2024, expect to see some bold steps into new initiatives in training, legal and systemic advocacy, employment for survivors, and second-stage transition housing.

Thank you dearly and deeply for staying with us on this journey. We are eager to continue linking arms toward a world free of domestic, intimate partner, and sexualized violence.

Angela's signature

Angela Marie MacDougall
Executive Director

Advancing Gender Equity for Black Women, Girls and Gender-Diverse People in B.C. by Meaza

An image with a Black woman looking intently holding their hands in front of them with a flame above her. It is showcasing a workshop for Black women.

My name is Meaza Demissie, and I identify as a Black woman of African descent, the child of immigrants, and a program coordinator of the Black women’s program at BWSS. Writing this piece about my experiences has been a powerful way to reflect on my unique journey, the challenges I have faced and overcome, and the lessons I have learned along the way. Despite the obstacles I have encountered, I am proud of my heritage and the rich cultural traditions that have shaped who I am today.

As a Black woman, I am proud to work for an organization that empowers women of all races and ethnicities. My personal experiences have shaped my journey here and inspired me to support other women. Working at BWSS for the past two years has been an excellent experience. I am grateful for my wonderful coworkers and the amazing cause we are all working towards.

Being the program coordinator of the Black Women’s Program at BWSS has not only helped me advance in my career but has also fulfilled my life goals of helping Black women all over. It’s a privilege to work for an organization that empowers women of all races and ethnicities, and I am proud to be a part of it.

The program is creating a safe space for Black women of all ages to come in and be seen, heard, and understood. Many of our experiences are jaded by the systemic forces in place throughout society. We experience an immense amount of trauma throughout childhood and adulthood. Our program provides a safe space to be unapologetically black no matter what walk of life you come from.

Oftentimes times, Black women are put into very trying situations, whether in professional or social settings. Too many of us share the same experiences of racism, misogynoir, and abuse in all forms. This program is providing a chance for me to grow as a support worker and become more knowledgeable to better support racialized women and, more specifically, Black women.

The feedback we have been getting from the Black women we support has been very positive. The women have been very vocal about how our support group has been helping them release some of the anxiety and trauma they have in a space where they can be accepted and heard.

The feeling of joy this program brings me, and all the Black women I support makes all the work we put in worth it. BWSS has provided a space for me to fulfill a major life goal of mine in supporting Black women and has supported me in a way that makes me feel confident in the work I am doing and will continue to do.

Two Black women smiling and making us feel welcome.
Co-Facilitators: Meaza and Arlana

Je m’appelle Meaza Demissie et je m’identifie en tant que femme noire d’origine africaine, enfant d’immigrants, et coordinatrice de programme du programme des femmes noires au BWSS. Rédiger cet article sur mes expériences a été un moyen puissant de réfléchir à mon parcours unique, aux défis que j’ai rencontrés et surmontés, et aux leçons que j’ai apprises en chemin. Malgré les obstacles rencontrés, je suis fière de mon héritage et des riches traditions culturelles qui ont façonné la personne que je suis aujourd’hui.

En tant que femme noire, je suis fière de travailler pour une organisation qui autonomise les femmes de toutes races et ethnies. Mes expériences personnelles ont façonné mon parcours jusqu’ici et m’ont inspirée à soutenir d’autres femmes. Travailler au BWSS ces deux dernières années a été une excellente expérience. Je suis reconnaissante envers mes formidables collègues et la cause incroyable pour laquelle nous travaillons toutes et tous.

Être coordinatrice du Programme des femmes noires au BWSS m’a non seulement permis de progresser dans ma carrière, mais a également réalisé mes objectifs de vie en aidant les femmes noires partout. C’est un privilège de travailler pour une organisation qui autonomise les femmes de toutes races et ethnies, et je suis fière d’en faire partie.

Le programme crée un espace sûr pour les femmes noires de tous âges pour venir, être vues, entendues et comprises. Beaucoup de nos expériences sont influencées par les forces systémiques en place dans la société. Nous subissons une quantité immense de traumatismes tout au long de l’enfance et de l’âge adulte. Notre programme offre un espace sûr pour être fièrement noire, peu importe d’où l’on vient.

Souvent, les femmes noires se retrouvent dans des situations très difficiles, que ce soit dans des contextes professionnels ou sociaux. Trop d’entre nous partagent les mêmes expériences de racisme, de misogynoir et d’abus sous toutes ses formes. Ce programme me donne l’opportunité de grandir en tant que travailleuse de soutien et d’acquérir davantage de connaissances pour mieux soutenir les femmes racialisées et, plus spécifiquement, les femmes noires.

Les retours que nous recevons des femmes noires que nous soutenons sont très positifs. Les femmes ont exprimé de manière très claire comment notre groupe de soutien les aide à libérer une partie de l’anxiété et du traumatisme qu’elles ressentent, dans un espace où elles peuvent être acceptées et entendues.

La joie que ce programme me procure, ainsi qu’à toutes les femmes noires que je soutiens, rend tout le travail que nous fournissons valable. Le BWSS m’a offert un espace pour réaliser un objectif majeur de ma vie en soutenant les femmes noires, et m’a soutenue de manière à me sentir confiante dans le travail que je fais et continuerai de faire.

Reflections on the First Year of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence

Reflections on the First Year of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence

Reflections on the First Year of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence

The National Action Plan (NAP) to End Gender-based Violence (GBV) was launched on November 9, 2022 by Women and Gender Equality Canada. On the one-year anniversary, the following represents what gender justice organizations know to date, concerns that remain, and recommendations to move forward collectively with government.

What we know:

The bilateral NAP agreements have been negotiated with the provinces and territories over the last year. At the end of July 2023, announcements about the signing of these agreements began. This funding is designated to the five Pillars included in the NAP (1) support for victims, survivors, and their families; 2) prevention; 3) responsive justice systems; 4) implementing Indigenous-led approaches; and 5) social infrastructure and enabling environment), although spending in all Pillars is not required in each year of the agreement. The agreements require 25% of funding to be invested in the Prevention Pillar. How funds are spent is at the discretion of the province or territory, although funding needs to be designated toward investments that had not already been announced and must fit into the five Pillars. Provinces and territories will be required to engage in annual reporting for continued receipt of funds.

As of now, agreements that cover the period 2023/24 to 2026/27 have been announced in the following provinces and territories:

  • Alberta – $54.1 million
  • Manitoba – $22.3 million
  • Northwest Territories – $16.4 million
  • Nunavut- $16.4 million
  • Prince Edward Island – $9.6 million
  • Saskatchewan – $20.3 million
  • Yukon – $16.4 million

The content of the signed agreements has not been shared publicly; however, Women and Gender Equality Canada has committed to making the bilateral agreements public once all are signed.

Concerns:

We applaud the government’s commitment to addressing gender-based violence, yet remain concerned, as there are several areas which remain unclear.

The gender justice sector has repeatedly asked for greater accountability and transparency including a recommendation in the NAP Roadmap document for an oversight role for GBV/VAW experts. To date, within provinces and territories, expert organizations have, by and large, been left out of negotiations, including priority setting within bilateral agreements. We also have no clarity on how the NAP will be monitored and evaluated.

For over a decade, the sector has been calling for consistency across and within jurisdictions in policies and legislation that address GBV along with consistent approaches to prevention of and responses to GBV. Although much needed funding is being distributed across the country, there appears to be a lack of coordinated activities and cohesion. While the Federal GBV Strategy could serve to bridge this gap, it remains unclear if and how the NAP and the Federal GBV Strategy connect to one another.

Recommendation:

Many of our concerns stem from a lack of transparency. To address this, we recommend that the federal government immediately proceed with the implementation of the Nova Scotia’s Mass Casualty Commission’s recommendation 17: National Accountability Framework.

“The Commission recommends that: (a) The federal government establish by statute an independent and impartial gender-based violence commissioner with adequate, stable funding, and effective powers, including the responsibility to make an annual report to Parliament. (b) The federal government develop the mandate for the gender-based violence commissioner in consultation with provincial and territorial governments, women survivors including women from marginalized and precarious communities, and the gender-based violence advocacy and support sector.

The commissioner’s mandate could include:

  • Working with governments and community organizations to promote coordinated, transparent, and consistent monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
  • Providing a national approach to victim-survivor engagement, to ensure their diverse experiences inform policies and solutions (similar to the Australian Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission).
  • Developing indicators for all four levels of activity (individual, relational, community, societal) and reporting to the public at least once a year.
  • Establishing and working with an advisory committee that consists of women survivors, particularly marginalized women survivors, and representatives of the gender-based violence advocacy and support sector.
  • Contributing to a national discussion on gender-based violence, including by holding biannual virtual women’s safety symposiums.
  • Assisting to coordinate a national research agenda and promoting knowledge sharing.”

 

Signed,

Collaborators on the Roadmap report:

Action ontarienne contre la violence faite aux femmes
Alliance des maisons d’hébergement de 2e étape
Awo Taan Healing Lodge Society
Barbara Schlifer Commemorative Clinic
Battered Women’s Support Services
Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
Canadian Labour Congress
Canadian Women’s Foundation
Colour of Poverty – Colour of Change
Ending Violence Association of Canada
Institute for Research and Development on Inclusion and Society
Luke’s Place
Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan
Québec contre les violences sexuelles
Rise Women’s Legal Centre
South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario
West Coast LEAF Association
Yukon Status of Women Council

Réflexions sur la première année du Plan d’action national pour mettre fin à la violence fondée sur le genre

Le Plan d’action national (PAN) sur la violence fondée sur le genre (VFG) a été lancé le 9 novembre 2022 par Femmes et Égalité des genres Canada. À l’occasion de ce premier anniversaire, voici ce que les organisations de justice de genre savent à ce jour, les préoccupations qui subsistent et les recommandations pour aller de l’avant collectivement avec le gouvernement.

Ce que nous savons :

Les accords bilatéraux sur le PAN ont été négociés avec les provinces et les territoires au cours de la dernière année. À la fin du mois de juillet 2023, on a commencé à annoncer les signatures de ces accords. Ce financement est destiné aux cinq piliers du PAN (1) soutien aux personnes victimes et survivantes et à leur famille ; 2) prévention ; 3) système judiciaire réactif ; 4) mise en œuvre des approches dirigées par les autochtones ; et 5) infrastructure sociale et environnement propice), bien que les dépenses dans tous les piliers ne soient pas requises pour chaque année de l’accord.

Les accords exigent que 25 % des fonds soient investis dans le pilier de la prévention. La manière dont les fonds sont dépensés est laissée à la discrétion de la province ou du territoire, mais les fonds doivent être affectés à des investissements qui n’ont pas déjà été annoncés et doivent s’inscrire dans les cinq piliers. Les provinces et les territoires devront présenter des rapports annuels pour continuer à recevoir des fonds.

À ce jour, des accords couvrant la période 2023/24 à 2026/27 ont été annoncés dans les provinces et territoires suivants :

  • Alberta – 54,1 millions
  • Manitoba – 22,3 millions
  • Territoires du Nord-Ouest – 16,4 millions
  • Nunavut – 16,4 millions
  • Île-du-Prince-Édouard – 9,6 millions
  • Saskatchewan – 20,3 millions
  • Yukon – 16,4 millions

Le contenu des accords signés n’a pas été rendu public ; toutefois, Femmes et Égalité des genres Canada s’est engagé à rendre publics les accords bilatéraux une fois qu’ils auront tous été signés.

Préoccupations :

Nous félicitons la volonté du gouvernement de lutter contre la violence fondée sur le genre, mais nous restons préoccupés par le manque de clarté de certains aspects.

Le secteur de la justice de genre a demandé à plusieurs reprises une plus grande redevance et une plus grande transparence, y compris une recommandation dans le document de la feuille de route du PAN pour un rôle de surveillance pour les expertes en matière de VFG/VFF. À ce jour, dans les provinces et les territoires, les organisations expertes ont, dans l’ensemble, été exclues des négociations, y compris de l’établissement des priorités dans le cadre des accords bilatéraux. Nous ne savons pas non plus comment le PAN sera évalué et quel suivi il y aura.

Depuis plus d’une décade, le secteur réclame une cohérence entre les juridictions et au sein de celles-ci dans les politiques et la législation relatives à la VFG, ainsi que des approches cohérentes en matière de prévention et de réponse à la VFG. Bien que des fonds indispensables soient distribués dans tout le pays, il semble qu’il y ait un manque d’activités coordonnées et de cohésion. La stratégie fédérale de la VFG pourrait servir à combler cette lacune, mais on ne sait toujours pas si et comment le PAN et la stratégie fédérale de la VFG sont liés l’un à l’autre.

Recommandation :

Nombre de nos préoccupations découlent d’un manque de transparence. Pour y remédier, nous recommandons au gouvernement fédéral de procéder immédiatement à la mise en œuvre de la recommandation 17 de la Commission sur les pertes massives de la Nouvelle-Écosse : Cadre national de responsabilisation.

« La Commission recommande que : (a) Le gouvernement fédéral institue par voie législative un poste de commissaire indépendant et impartial à la violence fondée sur le sexe, qui soit doté d’un financement adéquat et stable, ainsi que de pouvoirs effectifs, et qui rende compte au Parlement dans le cadre d’un rapport annuel. (b) Le gouvernement fédéral définisse le mandat de commissaire à la violence fondée sur le sexe en concertation avec les gouvernements provinciaux et territoriaux, les femmes survivantes – notamment celles issues de communautés marginalisées et précarisées – et le secteur de la défense et du soutien contre la violence fondée sur le sexe.

Le mandat du commissaire pourrait inclure les tâches suivantes :

  • Travailler avec les gouvernements et les organismes communautaires pour promouvoir des cadres coordonnés, transparents et cohérents de suivi et d’évaluation.
  • Élaborer une approche nationale de mobilisation des victimes/survivantes, de sorte à prendre en compte leurs différentes expériences vécues dans l’élaboration des politiques et solutions (à l’instar de la commission australienne sur la violence familiale et sexuelle).
  • Définir des indicateurs pour les quatre volets d’activités (individuel, relationnel, communautaire et sociétal) et rendre compte au public de ces activités au moins une fois par an.
  • Mettre en place un comité consultatif composé de femmes survivantes, en particulier de femmes marginalisées, et de représentants du secteur de la défense et du soutien contre la violence fondée sur le sexe – et collaborer avec ce comité.
  • Engager une discussion nationale autour de la violence fondée sur le sexe, notamment dans le cadre de symposiums bisannuels virtuels consacrés à la sécurité des femmes.
  • Prendre part à la coordination d’un programme de recherche national et promouvoir la mise en commun des connaissances. »

 

Signé,

 

Collaborateurs du rapport de la feuille de route :

 

Action ontarienne contre la violence faite aux femmes
Alliance des maisons d’hébergement de 2e étape
Awo Taan Healing Lodge Society
Barbara Schlifer Commemorative Clinic
Battered Women’s Support Services
Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies
Centre canadien de politiques alternatives
Colour of Poverty – Colour of Change
Congrès du travail du Canada
Fondation canadienne des femmes
Institut de recherche et de développent sur l’intégration et la société
L’association canadienne pour mettre fin à la violence
Luke’s Place
Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan
Québec contre les violences sexuelles
Rise Women’s Legal Centre
South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario
West Coast LEAF Association
Yukon Status of Women Council