This year, the government of Saskatchewan is investing $27.5 million in programs and services that address the issues of missing persons, violence, and abuse.
A total of $8.9 million is going towards the funding of 12 transition houses and three residential programs for those fleeing domestic violence. Fourteen communities across the province such as North Battleford, La Ronge, Meadow Lake, Saskatoon, Regina, Kindersley, and Swift Current will receive $1.97 million for violence intervention programs. Justice Minister Bronwyn Eyre says the goal of the funding is to promote safety, prevention, and root causes.
A total list of the targeted initiatives is below:
The $27.5 million includes:
- $8.9 million to support 12 provincially funded transition houses and three enhanced residential programs that provide immediate shelter needs for those fleeing domestic violence.
- $876,000 in new operational funding over three years for second stage housing for counselling and intervention supports, including to Sapohtewan House, which is owned and operated by the La Ronge Native Women’s Council Inc.
- $150,000 to Hope Restored Canada to deliver services to victims of human trafficking for secure housing, counseling, treatment and life skills programs. 67 per cent of residents at Hope Restored in Saskatoon are Indigenous women.
- $1.97 million in 14 communities for 16 family violence intervention programs, including in La Ronge, Meadow Lake, North Battleford, Melfort, Hudson Bay, Humboldt, Saskatoon, Kindersley, Yorkton, Fort Qu’Appelle, Regina, Moose Jaw, Swift Current and Estevan.
- $662,000 for the Family Intervention Rapid Support Team (FIRST) to support families at a higher risk for violence and to mitigate potential crisis situations.
- $170,000 to support transportation initiatives through the Northern Transportation and Support Initiative and Transportation Reimbursement Fund for individuals and their families leaving interpersonal violence and abuse, or who are in immediate need of a sexual assault forensic examination.
- $96,000 to expand the Victim Advocate Case Review (VACR) program from Saskatoon and Regina to Moose Jaw and Prince Albert, to help improve sexual assault investigation methods and increase the likelihood that offenders will be held accountable for their actions.
