The Redwood…For Women and Children Fleeing Abuse

Published purpose

This 31-month project will develop and implement an interagency network model across Ontario to address the root causes of gender-based violence (GBV) and support GBV survivors in the new post-COVID context. The Redwood will achieve this by formalizing partnerships with key GBV-service providing stakeholders across Ontario and developing and piloting the network model and protocols, which will include the following key elements: mapping channels of GBV service supports, developing and piloting a Safety and Support Circle program to mitigate risks and promote self-determination for GBV survivors, and developing and piloting a Perpetrator and Community Accountability and Healing program. At the end of the project, The Redwood will have developed promising practices that increased networks and collaboration to accelerate systemic change, supported positive distribution of authority, voices, and decision-making power, advanced inclusive policies and practices, and encouraged a more equitable and effective sharing of resources, to support GBV survivors across Ontario. This project will foster partnerships with GBV-service organizations, GBV experts and academics, community-based organizations, and survivors with lived experience in the design, implementation, and evaluation of this promising practice. The survivor-centered interagency network model will address the systemic barriers to gender equality experienced by GBV survivors by leveraging and strengthening community networks, working in concert with survivor-elected professional services and supports, supporting and promoting survivor self-determination in safety planning, and redressing perpetrators’ harmful behaviour, to help break the GBV cycle.