Three Aboriginal organizations within Greater Vancouver will receive nearly $210,000 in funding from the Province for culture-based domestic violence programs for Aboriginal families and communities.

Approximately $70,000 has been delivered to each of the Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association in Surrey, Musqueam Indian Band, and Warriors Against Violence Society in Vancouver for the creation of new anti-domestic violence programs. The programs range from individual counselling services, to family and community-based discussions with a cultural focus.

Aboriginal women and children are more likely than non-Aboriginal British Columbians to be directly affected by domestic violence. In fact, Aboriginal women are nearly three times more likely to be victims of intimate partner violence than non-Aboriginal women.

Successful applicants were chosen by a partnership table comprised of representatives from the Minister’s Advisory Council on Aboriginal Women, the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, the Provincial Office of Domestic Violence and the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation and the Ministry of Justice.

These are among 24 projects receiving a total of $1.5 million to launch or expand Aboriginal services as part of B.C.’s three-year Provincial Domestic Violence Plan, which sees its second anniversary this week. The plan has allocated $2 million for Aboriginal communities and organizations to develop and deliver local programs for Aboriginal women, men and children affected by domestic violence. In September 2015, the Province announced $500,000 was being invested to increase access to transition house and safe-home services for Aboriginal women and children affected by domestic violence.

Quotes:

Marvin Hunt, MLA for Surrey-Panorama –

“Everyone deserves to feel safe, secure and not threatened in their own home and putting an end to domestic violence begins at the community program level.”

Richard T. Lee, MLA for Burnaby North –

“These Vancouver-area programs offer excellent supports for Aboriginal women and children dealing with domestic violence. With this funding, we reaffirm our commitment to these organizations as we work towards protecting all Aboriginal families.”

Andrew Wilkinson, MLA for Vancouver-Quilchena –

"Recognizing that some indigenous people find themselves suffering from domestic abuse, this government is ensuring programs and supports are in place so that when individuals reach out they have access to resources that help them overcome abuse. This funding will enhance the great work these organizations do to support these individuals so they can escape dangerous situations and begin to heal."

Chastity Davis, Minister’s Advisory Council on Aboriginal Women –

“Our council continues to collaborate with the Province to find ways to address the systematic issues and root causes that are the reasons that domestic violence is occurring at alarmingly high rates to Aboriginal women and their children.  We believe this funding is a good start to address the issues as specific to our communities’ unique needs throughout the province to help men, women and children overcome abuse and live healthy safe lives.”

Quick Facts:

• In 2013, there were 12,359 police-reported victims of intimate partner violence throughout B.C. However, it is estimated that only about one in four women ever report their abuse to police.
• Aboriginal women are three times more likely to experience violence and be assaulted by their partner than non-Aboriginal women.
• The B.C. government commits more than $70 million per year in prevention and intervention services, and programs that benefit victims of domestic violence and other crimes.
• The Vision for a Violence Free BC Strategy is B.C.’s long-term path to creating a province where all women have the supports they need to help prevent violence, escape from violent situations, and recover if they have been victims of violence.
• In 2015, the Province invested more than $5 million in civil forfeiture grant funding to support community-led anti-violence and crime prevention initiatives, with $3.4 million devoted to projects that support the Vision for a Violence Free BC Strategy.
• Over $1 million in civil forfeiture grants this year were provided to fund 58 projects focused on supporting Aboriginal communities in anti-violence and prevention initiatives.
• The Minister’s Advisory Council on Aboriginal Women provides advice to government on how to improve the quality of life for Aboriginal women.
• In December 2014, MACAW members chose 37 community-based groups in B.C. to share $350,000 in grants for programs aimed at changing behaviours and attitudes, and mobilizing communities.
• The Province and the federal government have allocated over $2.9 million to support the Off-Reserve Aboriginal Action Plan.
• The Off-Reserve Aboriginal Action Plan aims to provide better support for Aboriginal people in urban areas by increasing employment and education opportunities, and engaging with the growing Aboriginal youth population.

  Learn More:

  To read the Provincial Domestic Violence Plan and learn more about the Provincial Office of Domestic Violence, visit: www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/podv/index.htm

  To read the Provincial Office of Domestic Violence Annual Report, visit: http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/podv/pdf/dv_pp_far.pdf

  We can’t stop domestic violence if we don’t all speak up, visit: http://www.saysomethingbc.ca/

  To read the Vision for a Violence Free BC strategy, visit: www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/victimservices/shareddocs/pubs/violence-free-bc.pdf

  For more information on additional government services and supports for Aboriginal children, youth, and their families, visit: www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/about_us/aboriginal/index.htm

  For more information on the Minister's Advisory Council on Aboriginal Women, visit: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/aboriginal-people/minister-s-advisory-council-on-aboriginal-women-macaw