More places and posts in shelters
(Quebec) The call for help was heard by the Legault government, welcome the shelters for women victims of domestic violence. A total of 163 positions and 313 employment positions will be created within a year thanks to the additional funds provided by Quebec.
Deputy Prime Minister Geneviève Guilbault confirmed at a press conference on Friday that nearly $223 million will be awarded over five years to prevent domestic violence.
"It's an emergency plan" to respond to "the gravity of the situation," Guilbault said, referring to the 10 femicides that have occurred since the beginning of the year in Quebec. "We want to provide more services more quickly to women who need them," she added.
Of the prize pool, $92 million is earmarked for the 110 shelters. Their funding will increase from about $80 million to $127.5 million per year by 2025-26.
"It's an emergency plan" to respond to "the gravity of the situation," Guilbault said, referring to the 10 femicides that have occurred since the beginning of the year in Quebec. "We want to provide more services more quickly to women who need them," she added.
Of the prize pool, $92 million is earmarked for the 110 shelters. Their funding will increase from about $80 million to $127.5 million per year by 2025-26.
"This will allow us to help more women and have a much tighter safety net than we currently have," said Manon Monastesse, director of the Federation of Women's Shelters.
The minister responsible for the Status of Women, Isabelle Charest, promised that "money will quickly descend into the community." Money announced last year had been slow to reach shelters. "Maximum in a month, the money will be returned. If there are problems, we will notify," insisted Geneviève Guilbault.
The occupancy rate of shelters, which currently have 1,386 places, has been close to, or exceeded, 100% in 2019-20. The Group of Houses for Women Victims of Domestic Violence has had to turn down 3,500 applications in the past year, said its president, Chantal Arseneault. The addition of 163 places will partly meet the needs. This is an "important step" being taken by the government, she said.
The hiring of 313 workers will help develop services that go beyond accommodation.
Caquist MP Isabelle Lecours, who herself has been a victim of domestic violence, has been given the mandate to work with shelters to better identify needs and, for example, to assess the possibility of opening new homes.
The $223 million will also increase funding for male-sexually abusive organizations, add domestic violence staff to police forces, enhance the services of SOS domestic violence, and improve legal services with the support of a victim by a single prosecutor from the beginning to the end of the process.
The minister responsible for the Status of Women, Isabelle Charest, promised that "money will quickly descend into the community." Money announced last year had been slow to reach shelters. "Maximum in a month, the money will be returned. If there are problems, we will notify," insisted Geneviève Guilbault.
The occupancy rate of shelters, which currently have 1,386 places, has been close to, or exceeded, 100% in 2019-20. The Group of Houses for Women Victims of Domestic Violence has had to turn down 3,500 applications in the past year, said its president, Chantal Arseneault. The addition of 163 places will partly meet the needs. This is an "important step" being taken by the government, she said.
The hiring of 313 workers will help develop services that go beyond accommodation.
Caquist MP Isabelle Lecours, who herself has been a victim of domestic violence, has been given the mandate to work with shelters to better identify needs and, for example, to assess the possibility of opening new homes.
The $223 million will also increase funding for male-sexually abusive organizations, add domestic violence staff to police forces, enhance the services of SOS domestic violence, and improve legal services with the support of a victim by a single prosecutor from the beginning to the end of the process.
TOMMY CHOUINARD
THE PRESSE
Violence conjugale | Plus de places et de postes dans les maisons d’hébergement | La Presse
THE PRESSE
Violence conjugale | Plus de places et de postes dans les maisons d’hébergement | La Presse