Sexual Assault & Violence Intervention Services (SAVIS) of Halton

Published purpose

This 23-month project will develop, test, and share a trauma and culturally informed approach to address Gender-Based Violence (GBV). This approach will focus on the lack of crisis supports (hotline services) for Indigenous and LGBTQ2S GBV survivors and their families in Halton Region. The Sexual Assault & Violence Intervention Services of Halton (SAVIS) will achieve this by building on their existing approach with more targeted supports to these two, traditionally underserved, groups. They will conduct a comprehensive situational analysis/needs assessment in coordination with indigenous and LGBTQ2S survivors in Halton; develop the approach and corresponding tools in support of the approach (guiding principles, training materials, updated resource list); and test and refine the approach. Learnings will be used to refine the SAVIS approach, and the updated model will be shared among GBV community agencies and policy makers.   This project will engage with indigenous and LGBTQ2S survivors, the organization’s volunteers, and clients, ensuring that key project activities are trauma and culturally informed and survivor-led. The impact of this model will also be assessed through a third-party evaluation, including an analysis of its potential to be adapted and replicated.   By the end of the project, SAVIS of Halton will have strengthened their promising practice and have shared it with the wider GBV sector, to strengthen supports to Indigenous and LGBTQ2s GBV survivors and their families, in Canada.