This report is based on the meeting hosted by Employment and Social Development Canada and the Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women & Children that took place in Ottawa, Ontario on March 30th, 2017. The purpose of the meeting was to explore the intersections between immigrant and refugee women fleeing violence and experiencing homelessness, health/mental health and disability issues, and trauma in Canada. Participants at the meeting were invited to share knowledge on this topic, including barriers faced by immigrant and refugee women to accessing supports and services, leaving abusive relationships, and obtaining safe, secure, and affordable housing. This was followed by a discussion on gaps in policy, knowledge, and service delivery, practical measures and promising approaches, and next steps for consideration. As this was an exploratory meeting, future opportunities for further discussion are needed to address the many complexities and nuances involved in the intersections of immigrant and refugee women fleeing violence and experiencing homelessness, health/mental health and disability issues, and trauma.
Emerging research from across Canada points to a significant relationship between immigrant and refugee women fleeing violence and experiences of homelessness (BC Society of Transition Houses, 2015; Holtmann, 2016; Thurston et al. 2006). Overall estimates of violence have not been found to be higher in immigrant and refugee communities, however, their position as immigrants and refugees contributes both to their vulnerability and to barriers faced when accessing services and supports. A dynamic interplay of structural and interpersonal factors contributes to violence and increases the risk of homelessness for this group. This includes sponsorship relationships, pre-migration experiences, migration journeys, acculturation and settlement stressors, economic insecurity, cultural norms and traditions, and unfamiliarity with Canadian laws and regulations (Canadian Council on Social Development, 2006).
The Know Your Rights: A Guide for Family Service Providers Serving People with HIV, provides child and family service providers with strategies and information about legal obligations to support clients who disclose HIV status. This guide includes information on the following:
- Duties as a Service Provider
- Legal and Ethical Obligations as a Service Provider
- Examples and scenarios to support clients who disclose HIV status
Page Length: 16 pages
This toolkit created by The 519, provides constructive steps on how to implement anti-discrimination policies around gender identity and gender expression. This toolkit also includes strategies on creating affirming spaces for people who identify as transgender or gender non-conforming. This toolkit includes information and strategies on:
- Understanding oppression through an intersectional perspective
- Barriers transgender people encounter to accessing servicesÂ
- Importance of Full Integration in organizations
- Challenging prejudice
- Creating and Fostering a Welcoming and Inclusive Environment
Page Length: 86 PagesÂ
Created by the 519, this infographic is part of the Creating Authentic Spaces: a gender identity and gender expression toolkit to support implementation of institutional and social change. This infographic includes information how allies can be supportive peers and co-workers to transgender people in different environments.
Page Length: 1 page
Created by the 519, this infographic is part of the Creating Authentic Spaces: a gender identity and gender expression toolkit to support implementation of institutional and social change. This infographic includes information about rights of transgender persons, as a service user or employee, in organizations, agencies, and companies.Â
Page Length: 1 page
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Created by the 519, this infographic is part of the Creating Authentic Spaces: a gender identity and gender expression toolkit to support implementation of institutional and social change. This infographic includes information about gender-specific and gender-neutral pronouns and strategies on how to use them to create a respectful and inclusive environment for transgender people.
Page Length: 1 page
This infographic is part of the Creating Authentic Spaces: a gender identity and gender expression toolkit to support implementation of institutional and social change created by The 519. This infographic provides information and strategies of support for transgender employees who are transitioning in the workplace.Â
Page Length: 1 page
This infographic is part of the Creating Authentic Spaces: a gender identity and gender expression toolkit to support implementation of institutional and social change toolkit, created by The 519. This infographic includes information and strategies on how organizations and companies can support employees who are in the process of transitioning while in the workplace.Â
Page Length: 1 page