HOPEFUL AND HARROWING
Reducing gender-based violence
While it’s early days for Outsaskatoon’s gender based violence work, education co-ordinator Jess Fisher says what’s she’s heard has been equally harrowing and hopeful.
The two projects, with federal backing of $1.1 million received in April, are working to develop prevention and intervention services and education and training to safely address gender-based violence against LGBTQ2+ people.
The focus groups that the organization has sponsored so far have illustrated the gap in affirming support services for gender and sexually diverse populations in Saskatoon.
“People are tired, tired of hoping for better and not receiving it,” Fisher says.
“When somebody experiences a traumatizing event in their life, and then to be re-traumatized by the very people who are supposed to be providing you with services and support in your time of need, that’s a terrible experience to have.”
Since announcing the project, Fisher said the organization has been approached by service providers who understand there’s work to be done to provide better, inclusive care — which is why developing a comprehensive education program is so crucial. The five-year projects look at how to do just that.
Currently, the organization is making calls for focus groups for Two Spirit individuals, youth and generally LGBTQ2+ people ages 19-54 to get a better understanding about their needs and how to better meet them.
The overarching goal is to ensure that anyone, regardless of their gender and sexual identity, can access affirming supports and feel comfortable doing so, Fisher said.
That includes ensuring culturally inclusive and safe care for Indigenous LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit people as well.
“The queer community has been asking — we need accessible, representative, inclusive support, and we’re not getting it still in 2019,” Fisher said.
More information on the focus groups and ongoing work is available on Outsaskatoon’s website.