Federal grant program to offer specialized services for military survivors of sexual assault
A federal government grant has been awarded to three organizations in the region to provide specialized services to individuals who have experienced sexualized violence on military bases.
Three years ago, Huronia Transition Homes (HTH) in Midland received a grant through the Canadian Armed Forces to start working with Base Borden.
"In the last three years, we've spent a lot of time networking, building connections with people on base, building connections with agencies who are doing work to provide specialized services for individuals who have experienced sexual violence," said Haily MacDonald, HTH executive director.
HTH will receive $75,000 annually for the next three years to support Project B.A.S.E. (Building Accessible Supports and Education) and hire a full-time counsellor to provide counselling services on Base Borden.
Athena's Sexual Assault Counselling & Advocacy Centre is just one of the programs under HTH.
Officials with Athena's said the goal is to integrate their work at Canadian Forces Base Borden.
"Military culture is very heightened based on regular society, so it is reflective of the society we live in, but everything is heightened because of the circumstances, and so it can be difficult for survivors to actually speak up when they're also working with their perpetrator," said Amanda Wagner, with Athena's Sexual Assault Counselling & Advocacy Centre.
Muskoka Parry Sound Sexual Assault Services will also receive funding to provide culturally relevant healing to Indigenous survivors.
"So, what this means for us is a three-year counsellor position who can work specifically with survivors from the military, and that program Ojiibikaawan is we have roots," said Lauren Power with Muskoka Parry Sound Sexual Assault Services.
Four Directions of Healing in Bracebridge is the third recipient of the funding, offering culturally-based healing experiences and virtual support services to Indigenous individuals impacted by sexual misconduct in the Defence community in collaboration with GreenStone Centre for Recovery.
Officials with Huronia Transition Homes expressed hope this funding would become permanent after the next three years.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.