Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre and Indian Residential School Survivors Society have been jointly awarded funding to operate the Province of B.C.’s first Gender-Based Violence Crisis Lines

For Immediate Release: May 17, 2023

(Coast Salish Territories ~ Vancouver B.C.) – As part of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre and The Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS), have each been awarded federal funding to operate 24-Hour Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Crisis Lines to support survivors across British Columbia.

“People in danger need to know they have options,” said Kelli Paddon, Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity. “As we continue to develop a gender-based violence action plan for B.C., the Indian Residential School Survivors Society and Salal will help strengthen supports available to ensure people are cared for, provided trauma-informed and culturally appropriate support, and can begin the path towards healing when the time is right for them.”

In August of 2022, The Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, announced $30 million in support of crisis hotlines across Canada. Of these funds, the province of BC received $3 million in one-time funding, ending in Spring of 2026. Via a procurement process overseen by B.C.’s Ministry for Public Safety and Solicitor General, IRSSS and Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre were awarded funding to operate crisis lines as part of the larger provincial effort to address gender-based violence. The IRSSS crisis line will provide culturally-affirming support to Indigenous survivors and the community impacted by colonial violence, including targeting Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit (MMIWG2S), and Salal will operate a general GBV crisis line, respectively.

“Women, girls, transgender, Indigenous, Two Spirit and non-binary people are at high risk when it comes to gender-based violence,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “It is time that changes and we ensure victims of violence can access the care they need when they need it and where they need it. That is why we continue our work on the Action Plan to address Gender Based Violence in British Columbia and support organizations like Salal and IRSSS in providing immediate low-barrier and trauma-informed response to victims and survivors in their communities.” 

Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre’s 24-Hour Crisis & Information Line has connected community and connected women, trans, nonbinary, Two-Spirit, and gender diverse survivors of sexualized violence to life-saving emotional support, information, and referrals  across Turtle Island, since 1983. Salal’s existing 24-Hour Crisis & Information Line will continue to operate 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Funding will support the enhancements of translation services in over 150 languages, and the expansion of Salal Connect Text & Chat support to be available 24-hours a day.

“Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre is thrilled to have been trusted with the Provincial Gender-Based Violence Crisis Line as part of the National Action Plan to end Gender Based Violence” Executive Director of Salal, Dalya Israel stated.  “This work will build on our organization’s 40-year legacy of providing emotional support, information, safety planning, and community referrals through our Crisis & Information Line, 24 hours a day, 7 days and week, and 365 days a year. We look forward to deepening our partnerships with other local GBV organizations and grassroots movements throughout the Province who also have, and will continue to, respond to the needs of survivors. We look forward to strengthening our province-wide network of care so that survivors of Gender-Based Violence in BC can access the support they need, when they need it.”

With the second-largest population of Indigenous Peoples in Canada , BC sees alarming rates of GBV, specifically targeting Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people. The normalization of colonial violence and the unaddressed epidemic of MMIWG2S has overwhelmingly impacted generations of Indigenous survivors, and providing culturally-affirming care, rooted in traditional teachings, is critical on the path to self-determined healing. IRSSS Crisis Line marks the first Indigenous GBV Crisis Line of its kind in BC.

“The IRSSS is proud to be working in partnership with Salal for better access to the care needed to support survivors and the people we serve,” shares Executive Director of the Indian Residential School Survivors Society, Angela White. “These crisis lines can be a lifesaver, as they offer  low-barrier access to trauma-informed services. At the IRSSS, the Crisis Line team is educated and have cultural safety training and awareness of the traumas of Indian Residential Schools and other determinants of First Nations’ health.”

Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre and the Indian Residential School Survivors Society are honoured to provide 24-Hour Crisis Support to the survivors across BC, and to advance The National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, by putting healing back in the hands of survivors. We look forward to fostering deeper connections with grassroots anti-violence organizations across the province, and strengthening the network of crisis support for survivors and community. 

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Gender-Based Violence 24-Hour Crisis Lines:
Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre
24-Hour Crisis & Information Line
Toll Free: 1-877-392-7583
Lower Mainland: 604-255-6344

Salal Connect Text and Chat Support
salalsvsc.ca/connect
Lower Mainland: 604-245-2425

Indian Residential School Survivors Society
24-Hour Crisis line
Toll Free: 1-800-721-0066

Contact Information for Media Inquiries
Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre
Emily Oswald (she/her)
Manager of Fundraising and Communications, Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre
emily@salalsvsc.ca  |   604-255-6228 x 240

Indian Residential School Survivors Society
Jordie Johnson (he/him)
Manager, Development, IRSSS
Communications@irsss.ca  |  604-889-2323