Families throughout B.C. will have access to new and expanded programs that support healthy relationships and prevent domestic violence, thanks to new funding that enhances community-led intervention services.

The Ministry of Children and Family Development is providing $750,000 in federal funding to expand the reach of domestic-violence intervention programs as part of the Canada-British Columbia bilateral agreement to end gender-based violence. One of the recipient organizations is Options Community Services in Surrey.

“We know how devastating the impacts of family violence can be. We also know that when kids witness violence, they experience violence,” said Jodie Wickens, Minister of Children and Family Development. “I was so pleased to be able to visit Options Community Services today. By making violence intervention programs more accessible for families throughout B.C., we’re addressing some of the root causes of violence where they start – with those who use violence. These new programs will make our province a safer place for everyone.”

Options Community Services will receive $150,000 to expand access and services for its successful Caring Dads program, which supports fathers working to break the cycle of domestic violence. The therapy-based program helps fathers recognize the impact of their actions and develop the skills needed to foster healthy family relationships.

A previous round of funding recently enabled Options to offer the program in Punjabi and to launch a mom’s empowerment group. This additional funding will allow the organization to build on that work.

“This funding means more fathers will have access to the support they need to build healthier relationships and stronger families,” said Neil Arao, CEO of Options Community Services. “We’re proud that our Caring Dads program supported 161 fathers last year across diverse cultures, and we’re excited to expand its reach thanks to this vital investment. We’re also grateful to the Honourable Jodie Wickens, Minister of Children and Family Development, for her support in championing our agency and joining us today to share this important news.”

An additional $600,000 will support the enhancement of domestic-violence intervention programs such as Caring Dads in more communities throughout the province. The funding will help reduce wait times and improve access to services for fathers, ensuring they receive timely support to stop abusive behaviours and foster safer family environments.

The Caring Dads program expansions are part of a broader range of anti-violence initiatives supported by $18 million under the Canada-British Columbia bilateral agreement to end gender-based violence, announced in December 2023. The funding will advance work outlined in Safe and Supported: B.C.’s Gender-Based Violence Action Plan.

The plan is focused on boosting programming and supports for survivors, strengthening the government’s response to the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and delivering prevention and awareness campaigns.

Quotes:

Niki Sharma, B.C. Attorney General –

“Earlier this year, an independent review led by Kim Stanton made it clear that we need to strengthen how our justice and social systems respond to intimate partner violence. Expanding programs like Caring Dads is part of cross-government work to respond, helping men take responsibility, change their behaviour and build safer, healthier relationships for their families.”

Rechie Valdez, federal Minister of Women and Gender Equality – 

“Preventing gender-based violence means reaching people before harm begins, and that includes working with men to build healthier relationships and stronger families. Through the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, the federal government is proud to support British Columbia in expanding access to proven, community-led programs that help create safer homes across the province.”

Jennifer Blatherwick, B.C. parliamentary secretary for gender equity –

“An important aspect of addressing, and ending, gender-based violence is ensuring people who use violence change their harmful attitudes and behaviours. Domestic-violence intervention programs help disrupt cycles of abuse and equip people with the tools they need to build safe and supportive family environments.”

Julia Staub-French, executive director, Family Services of the North Shore –

“When a father finds the courage to take that first, vulnerable step to acknowledge his abusive behaviour and the negative impact on his child, our group facilitators are here to support him and his family. The funding we receive from the Ministry for Children and Family Development makes this possible.”

Quick Facts:

• The $18 million in funding is in addition to annual provincial funding of more than $60 million that supports more than 475 victims-services and violence-against-women programs across the province, including 75 new sexual-assault services programs and sexual-assault centres.
• Gender-based violence is identified as a priority in the Ministry of Children and Family Development’s child-and-youth well-being action plan and outcomes framework, which will chart a pathway forward that all of government will follow to improve the well-being of children and youth in B.C.

Learn More:

To see a list of community agencies receiving funding for domestic-violence intervention programs, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/DomesticViolenceInterventionFunding.pdf