Diverse Communities Take Action on Violence Against Women

Ontario Supports Innovative Campaign to Help Change Attitudes

December 8, 2014

Ontario is supporting a new and innovative public education campaign that helps immigrants learn the warning signs of woman abuse.

Ontario’s Neighbours, Friends and Families – Immigrant and Refugee Communities Campaign reaches out to diverse communities by developing products and activities that are accessible and relevant to newcomers.

The government is investing $836,500 over two years to support 10 programs across Ontario, including COSTI Immigrant Services, which will deliver the program in partnership with St. Stephen’s Community House to students learning English. St. Stephen’s Community House worked with students to develop a photo-based novel that helps students identify the signs of woman abuse and what actions they can take to help. The novel is being incorporated into COSTI’s learning curriculum starting January 2015.

The campaign is being delivered to diverse communities across the province including Francophone, Aboriginal, immigrant, and refugee communities.

Other Toronto-area programs receiving support are:

• Newcomer Women’s Services Toronto to promote NFF in South Asian communities in the GTA, York and Durham Region.
• Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants to support provincial coordination of campaign activities and to develop and maintain the NFF Immigrant and Refugee website.
• Family Services Toronto, which will partner with Somali organizations to promote NFF in Somali communities in the GTA, Hamilton, and, Kitchener-Waterloo.

Quick Facts

• Eighty per cent of women who experience domestic violence tell family, friends or another source of support.
• Only 30 per cent of women who experience domestic violence report it to police.
• The average woman will try to leave an abusive situation five times before she is successful.
• Domestic violence is one of the most common forms of violence in Canada.

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