In this presentation, the research committee led by Michele Hansen of Huron Women's Shelter, present the findings of the Ontario Shelter Research Project to the Ministry of Community and Social Services. The research project goals were to: develop evidence about shelter services and their effectiveness in improving the lives oaf abused women and children; bring forward first-hand knowledge and experiences of women, shelter workers and related service providers; identify unique contributions made by shleter workers; build knowledge and communication strategies; and develop capacity of the shelter sector for research, evidence-based evaluation, and effective use of research to inform practice. A model of shelters as system navigation hubs resulted from the research, and the range of work done by shelters, much of which is often invisible, is highlighted.
This report looks at rising income inequality in Ontario, which is the worst in Canada. The gap between rich and poor is even wider for marginalized groups. The government just announced upcoming austerity measures that will likely increase the gap. This paper examines how the consequences of policy choices disproportionately affect women, seniors, people with dsiabilities, children, and racialized communities. The goal is to insert these key issues into public debate so that policy begins to reflect the needs of Ontario's poor and turns the tide on the growing gap in wealth.
The members of the Canadian Network of Women's Shelters and Transition Houses signed a letter to the Federal Government to ask that Bill C-19, Ending the Long-gun Registry Act, be voted against. This is done on behalf of the often unheard voices of victims of domestic violence. Guns are used to control, instill fear and intimidate by abusers. Rifles and shotguns are the most commonly used weapons in gun-related spousal homicides in Canada.
In its response to the Law Commission of Ontario (LCO)'s proposed reforms to the family law system, OAITH raises some challenges about underlying assumptions in the LCO proposal. First, that violence against women will routinely be accurately identified, and second that when violence against women is identified, the family law system will respond appropriately. OAITH emphasizes the importance of recognizing intersectional barriers to family law justice, the lack of resources clearly dedicated to making changes effectively, the changing Ontario family, and the impact of social policy and budget cuts on women's lives.
On November 25, 2004, OAITH wrote an Open Letter to Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario, to raise issues about women's experiences of violenece in recogniition of the International Day for the Eliminitation of Violence Against Women. Issues raised were: Social Assistance, Housing, and the Domestic Violence Action Plan.
In November, 2006, OAITH responded to Bill 107: Human Rights Code Amendment Act (2006) to focus how to make sure that reforms in the Ontario Human Rights Commission would provide a system that supports and benefits women who experience violence and oppression. Particular areas of concern include: direct access to hearings; legal supports for complainants; independence and integrity of the human rights protection system; powers of the Commission; adequate powers given to new Racism and Disabilities Secretariats; and options for groups and advocates to make complaints or intervene.