Ontario Investing $9.3 Million to Support Survivors of Sexual Violence
Province Continuing Support for Language Interpreter Services Program
May 27, 2015
Ontario is investing $9.3 million over three years to support the Language Interpreter Services (LIS) program, which delivers interpreter services that help survivors of domestic or sexual violence.
This renewed three-year funding commitment will help service providers across Ontario communicate with their clients who have limited English or French language skills, or are Deaf or hard of hearing, and who are victims of domestic violence or sexual violence, including human trafficking.
Eligible service providers include social, healthcare and legal services, sexual assault centres and the Domestic Violence Court Program.
Through this commitment, Ontario is delivering on its plan to provide better support for survivors of sexual violence and harassment, as outlined in It’s Never Okay: An Action Plan to Stop Sexual Violence and Harassment.
#WhoWillYouHelp, the multilingual public awareness campaign in support of the Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan, is part of the government’s plan to provide more security, protection and equal opportunity for all Ontarians. It will help ensure that everyone in the province can live in safety and is free from the threat, fear or experience of sexual violence and harassment.
- One in three women will experience sexual assault in her lifetime.
- LIS helps more than 7,000 individuals each year in communities across Ontario and is available in more than 70 languages, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in person, or by telephone.
- May is Sexual Assault Prevention Month and Speech and Hearing Awareness Month.
- It’s Never Okay: An Action Plan to Stop Sexual Violence and Harassment.
- Find a Language Interpreter Service agency near you.
“We are committed to supporting vulnerable women, especially those with language barriers who require immediate support as a result of domestic or sexual violence. Our investment in Language Interpreter Services will ensure survivors have access to these vital supports. Through our Action Plan, we are committed to making our province safer and more responsive to sexual violence and harassment.”
“I am proud to be part of a government that strongly supports interpreter and intervenor services to help this vulnerable population access the support they need at a critical time in their lives.”
“When people who are culturally Deaf, oral deaf, deafened and hard of hearing experience sexual and domestic violence, accessible communication with relevant support services is of paramount importance. Without accessible communication, these victims are vulnerable to repeated violence and less likely to report these experiences or access shelter from abuse, counselling, legal and medical care. This announcement is a testament to the government’s commitment to helping ensure access to critical services.”
Laura Sylvis
Ontario’s Women’s Directorate
Laura.Sylvis@ontario.ca
416-314-7010
NT4
