People who seek gender-based violence (GBV) services and use substances heavily face many barriers to accessing services and support and there is a gap in services.
EVA BC is taking a leadership role with EQUIP Healthcare, a group comprised of researchers at the University of British Columbia, University of Western Ontario, and University of New Brunswick. This three-year project aims to build the capacity of service providers and organizations in both the GBV and substance use sectors to better understand the relationship between gender-based violence and substance use, and to promote “Substance Use Health“, a new concept that promotes health for all regardless of how much each person uses substances.
The project is seeking two frontline anti-violence organizations as “community sites” in BC to partner and co-design optimal strategies, approaches and resources related to substance use to support staff and people seeking services in the GBV sector. Partners from the substance use and GBV sectors, Indigenous communities and Francophone organizations will provide guidance on all project activities.
The project will use a non-stigmatizing, culturally safe, and trauma- and violence-informed approach. This approach considers how different experiences (e.g., racism, gender identity, access to resources) shape experiences of gender-based violence.
The project seeks to produce new resources including online courses, animated videos, and print materials that will increase understanding of the relationship between GBV and substance use, language-focused tools to support dialogue, and templates for organizational policies.
If your EVA BC core member, frontline anti-violence service organization is interested in getting involved, please see the detailed invitation for expressions of interest. Selected organizations can access $5,000 to support project activities between October 2024 and June 2025.
You can register to learn more in a one-hour virtual information session on these dates:
Please submit expressions of interest by September 17, 2024.
