The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) is pleased to announce it has been awarded $200,000 in funding through the Ministry of the Solicitor General’s new Victim Support Grant. The grant, to be issued over a two-year period, will facilitate an expansion of supports offered to victims and survivors of intimate partner violence in Halton region through a multi-pronged strategy.

Collectively, these complementary, victim-centric strategies focus on enhanced partnerships between police and non-police partners to better respond to the complex needs of survivors and help create safe places across our region for survivors to report violence and coercive and controlling behaviour.

Embedding of a Violence Against Women Support Worker

A portion of the grant will be used to embed a dedicated violence against women (VAW) support worker from Halton Women’s Place* within the HRPS Intimate Partner Violence Offender Management Unit (IPV-OMU). As a result, the IPV-OMU will be better positioned to provide survivors safety support, community referrals, crisis, group and individual counseling, and advocacy, which will help mitigate risks to survivors.  

To better meet the needs of our diverse community, the VAW worker will also work closely with the IPV-OMU and the Victim Services Unit of the HRPS to access their volunteer crisis workers who amongst them, speak 15 languages. Additionally, HMC Connections** would also provide consultation and support in terms of strategies for providing services and supports that are culturally appropriate and address the complexities faced by newcomers to Canada. 

Enhanced Risk Assessment Training

A portion of the grant will be used to provide enhanced intimate partner violence risk assessment training to Halton Women’s Place staff and HMC Connections staff. Recognizing that victims and survivors of intimate partner violence may have more comfort accessing support through non-police agencies, this training will ensure that non-police partners who are dealing directly with survivors of intimate partner violence have access to the same risk assessment tools as police. This training will bolster their ability to identify and mitigate risk for their clients. 

Impact Statement

Intimate partner violence is an ever-present secret carried by far too many in our community. The HRPS, and our community partners, know and see the toll of violence on families.  In 2020, the HRPS responded, on average, to more than ten intimate partner violence incidents a day in the community. The true incidence of intimate partner violence may never be known, as we recognize that much of it goes unreported to police. While the complexities of survivors are unique, the commonality they share is the need for a safe place to report intimate partner violence. The strategies funded through this grant will provide a safer pathway forward for survivors, including through reporting.

The HRPS, Halton Women’s Place, and HMC Connections extend their gratitude to the Solicitor General for granting this funding for new intimate partner violence victim supports. These initiatives will support our steadfast commitment to ensure that Halton region is a place where every person can safely live, work and play without fear of violence.

Quotes

“The Halton Regional Police Service believes it is the fundamental right of every person to live free from the threat of violence and to feel safe in our community,” says Halton Regional Police Service Deputy Chief Jeff Hill. “This grant will help expand the reach of our collective efforts to ensure survivors know that they are not alone, that support is available, and ultimately help them begin their journey of healing.”

“Halton Women’s Place is thrilled to expand on our partnership with the HRPS through this new initiative, which will provide women who have experienced violence with greater support and safety options,” says Laurie Hepburn, Executive Director of Halton Women’s Place. “This integrated approach with the placement of a VAW counsellor at the HRPS and support from HMC Connections will help build capacity and capabilities to best serve our community.”

“The risk assessment training is going to give our Settlement Specialists tools to identify people at risk and to make sure they now where and how to reach out for support,” says Kim Jenkinson, Executive Director of HMC Connections. “It is critical to get information to people early – they need to know they are not alone and there are people and systems that can help them. Being able to identify people at higher risk will also allow us to customize and tailor the information provided to the cultural needs of the client.”

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Every person has the right to feel safe in our community.

You are not alone. Victims of intimate partner violence or sexual assault and witnesses are encouraged to contact the Halton Regional Police Service. The following is a list of valuable support services and resources in Halton Region for victims of intimate partner violence and/or sexual violence:

  • Halton Regional Police Service Victim Services Unit 905-825-4777
  • Halton Women's Place 905-878-8555 (north) or 905-332-7892 (24-hour crisis line)
  • Halton Children's Aid Society 905-333-4441 or 1-866-607-5437
  • Nina's Place Sexual Assault and Domestic Assault Care Centre 905-336-4116 or 905-681-4880
  • Thrive Counselling 905-637-5256 or 905-845-3811
  • Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services (SAVIS) 905-875-1555 (24-hour crisis line)

 

*About Halton Women’s Place

Halton Women’s Place is the only women’s shelter in the Halton region, providing emergency safe shelter and community outreach services to women and children experiencing violence and abuse. If you need support, call our 24/7 crisis, intervention, and support lines at 905-332-7892 or 905-878-8555 or reach out through our online chat tool at www.haltonwomensplace.com/chat 

Intimate partner violence affects us all. If you or anyone you know needs help, please reach out. You are not alone.

**About HMC Connections

HMC Connections has served the Halton community for 43 years welcoming newcomers and helping them settle into a community that is welcoming and inclusive.  HMC services include needs assessment, information and referral, counselling, crisis and housing supports, employment programs, social/mentoring connections and language instruction.

 

Media Inquiries:

Detective Sergeant Tom Hockney

Intimate Partner Violence Unit

905-825-4747 ext. 8770