A July 14 news release states that Alberta’s government will use its Community Pathways to Justice grant to give $1.25 million to eligible “community-based organizations and Indigenous communities” in the name of providing “survivor-centred services” to residents.
“A responsive justice system is essential to ensuring survivors of gender-based violence are supported, and people committing these crimes are held to account,” states the release. “To support survivors of gender-based violence, Alberta’s government is launching a new grant program to strengthen support services across the province.”
The release goes on to note that the funding is supported by the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence, a 10-year collaborative initiative in which the federal government gives money to participating provinces and territories to help them implement the plan in their respective jurisdictions.
Alberta Minister of Justice and Attorney General Mickey Amery
According to a separate government webpage, two in three females and one in three males in Alberta have experienced “sexual violence” in their lifetime.
Those at the greatest risk of being victims include females aged 15 to 24, as well as women and girls who are Indigenous, Black, immigrants, refugees, disabled and from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Those living in the province’s northern, rural and remote communities are also at greater risk.
The funding will be given to various eligible organizations, including registered not-for-profits and charities. The grants will range from $50,000 to $150,000 and “must be used for operational activities.”
Applications open July 14 and close Aug. 1.
“No one should have to live in fear of violence, and no survivor should have to face their journey to justice alone,” said Rechie Valdez, federal minister of women and gender equality. “Supported by our National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence, this grant is a meaningful step in making sure more Albertans can access the support, advocacy and safety they deserve.”
Alberta signed on to the national plan in October 2023 and in return received $54.1 million over four years to implement the plan in that province.
The release goes on to describe gender-based violence as acts of violence, intimidation or coercion towards people where the victim’s gender is a “relevant factor.” It includes intimate partner and family violence, sexual violence, stalking, harassment, human trafficking, financial abuse and online exploitation.
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