Federal government providing funding to prevent gender-based violence

The federal government is taking steps to help end gender-based violence, as well as violence against children.

On behalf of Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health, Chris Bittle–MP for St. Catharines–announced the federal government is investing $1.3 million to support two initiatives intended to prevent violence against children and supporting young survivors of family violence.

“Gender-based and family violence can have an impact on every aspect of a survivor’s life, from physical and mental health, to housing and financial security,” Hajdu said in a news release.

“I am proud to announce the Government of Canada’s support for these two projects, which are using evidence-based and innovative approaches to increase awareness of child maltreatment as well as how to prevent it and support survivors of family violence,” she continued.

One initiative is a not-for-profit organization called Positive Discipline in Everyday Life, which will be enhancing, delivering and evaluating a child maltreatment prevention program called Positive Discipline in Everyday Parenting.

The other initiative is Brock University’s Shape Your Life, which is a trauma-informed, non-contact boxing program designed to aid survivors’ recovery and healing from violence. Phase two of the project, focused on youth, will be delivered in collaboration with three community-based agencies located in the Niagara Region of Ontario, and Edmonton, Alberta. The project aims to reach 200 youth survivors of violence and to train 20 coaches and program leaders.

“I am very excited for Brock University’s next collaboration that will support youth in Niagara and Edmonton by providing an opportunity to achieve positive health outcomes through Shape Your Life,” Cathy van Ingen, a professor in the kinesiology department at Brock, said in the same release.

As we are increasing capacity amongst coaches to better serve young people who have experienced trauma and violence we hope this will leave a sustainable legacy of trained individuals who can continue this much needed-work long after the completion of this project,” she continued.