Saskatchewan continues to have rates of intimate partner and family violence that are over double the national average.
We want to remind folks that there is help. There is hope.
Sk.211.ca is an online resource database to connect with resources in your community, with a database of over 6,000 community, social, non-clinical health, and government services across our province. There is a section specific to domestic violence that includes a safety planning guide, safety plan worksheet, crisis lines in your area, and other supports available in your area.
Recently, the Government of Saskatchewan released a report: Saskatchewan's Second Domestic Violence Death Review Report Review, which highlighted recommendations:
- education and awareness
- intervention for perpetrators
- victim-centered approaches
- legislation and policy
- services in rural and northern areas
- infrastructure development
Did you know that every worker in Saskatchewan can access Interpersonal Violence Leave, a job-protected leave of up to 10 days in a period of 52 weeks for survivors of interpersonal or sexual violence to access supports or relocate to a new home? There is an expansion of that in some Collective Agreements. Call your Member Resource Centre at 1-888-999-SEIU ext 1 or email [email protected] for more information. The SEIU-West Young Workers Committee was involved with the pressure on the government to get the legislation in place with the SFL and PATHS as well. You can read about their related articles here, here and here.
There’s also Clare’s Law, also known as Interpersonal Violence Disclosure Protocol, which authorizes police to disclose certain risk-related information to a current or former intimate partner in cases where such information can assist them in making informed decisions about their safety and relationship.
SEIU-West is doing their part to help assist with education by offering a Domestic Violence at Work Training in November—click here to find out more.
If you or someone you know is experiencing Interpersonal Violence, get help. Don't know where to start? We have trained staff through our Member Resource Centre to assist.
*February 11 was Pan Canadian 211 day. On this day, service providers and supporters raised awareness of the 211 service. It's free, confidential and accessible in over 150 languages. Anyone in Canada can call or text 211 on their phone and reach a Service Navigator.