Ontario Investing More than $26.7 Million to Protect Survivors of Gender-Based Violence

The Ontario government is investing an additional $26.7 million over two years in shelter spaces to protect survivors of gender-based violence and to strengthen the Family Court Support Worker program. As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario by improving access to services and supports, the funding will help increase accessibility at emergency shelters across the province and help victims navigate the family court system.

“Our government is taking action to end gender-based violence in Ontario by investing in community partners and strengthening local services,” said Michael Parsa, Ontario’s Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. “This investment will help frontline agencies across the province provide survivors with a safe place to heal and rebuild their lives.”

Ontario shelters serve over 12,000 women and dependents each year. The government’s investment will support capacity at over 65 emergency shelters across the province, including those serving rural, remote and northern communities and Indigenous-led shelters, to ensure space is available where and when it’s needed.

“Women need to feel safe and supported in their communities in order to reach their full potential,” said Charmaine Williams, Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity. “By strengthening community-based services, our government is helping to prevent violence and support women to succeed everywhere—at home, at work, and in their communities.”

The funding will also help increase access to Family Court Support Workers across the province. Court Support Workers help survivors of gender-based violence understand the court process, prepare for proceedings, access referrals to specialized services and supports in the community, and accompany victims to court proceedings.

This investment builds on Ontario’s efforts to better respond to violence, build safer and healthier communities, and support women’s well-being and economic security through Ontario’s action plan to end gender-based violence. The government is also protecting young people and vulnerable communities by investing $345 million to renew Ontario’s five-year Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy from 2025-2030, the largest investment of its kind in the country.

“Ontario Association of Interval & Transition Houses applauds this government for heeding our call to invest in more shelter spaces across Ontario,” said Marlene Ham, Executive Director of OAITH. “It is investments like this one that will open doors to safety, wellbeing and futures free from violence. When services like shelter spaces and wraparound support services are offered, better outcomes are realized bringing hope and possibility to those who need it most.”

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