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The Epidemic of
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Jennifer Hutton is the CEO of Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region. She has passionately led the organization as CEO since 2018 but has been with Women’s Crisis Services for more than ten years in total. Jen holds a Master's degree in Social Work and a Master's in Business Administration, both from Wilfrid Laurier University.
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She Is Your Neighbour(Video preview shown above)
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Woman's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region (WCSWR)About Women’s Crisis Services(Below infomation sourced from WCSWR "About Us" Page:)
In partnership with the community, Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region empowers and supports women* and children to move beyond violence and abuse through the provision of safe shelter, education and outreach services. Women’s Crisis Services operates two emergency shelters, Anselma House in Kitchener and Haven House in Cambridge.
In addition to providing safe shelter, Women’s Crisis Services offers a free, confidential outreach program for women who are experiencing domestic violence but do not require emergency shelter. Support workers assess risk and work with clients to develop safety plans, navigate the legal system, provide mental and emotional support, review options for financial support, and find safe, affordable housing. Shelter and outreach services can both be accessed by contacting WCSWR’s 24/7 support lines or via online chat. |
Presentation Footage
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Presentation Slides
Slides above provided by guest speaker Jennifer Hutton
A Call for Action & Awareness: Jennifer Hutton
Jennifer Hutton, CEO of Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region, delivers a powerful message on the critical issue of domestic violence and femicide. She begins by highlighting the vital services provided by her organization, including safe shelters like Anselma House and Haven House, and transitional housing through Aspen Place. These facilities represent a significant portion of the violence against women's shelter beds in the province. Hutton notes the increasing duration of shelter stays due to the pandemic and affordable housing crisis, with some families staying for up to a year.
Hutton draws attention to the alarming rise in femicides in Ontario, with 55 incidents in less than a year. She stresses that this is a gendered issue, with women and girls more likely to be killed by intimate partners or family members. This contrasts with the pattern of male homicides, which often involve acquaintances or strangers. Hutton emphasizes that these deaths are both predictable and preventable, underscoring the importance of awareness and intervention.
The Women's Crisis Services also offer outreach services, assisting around 1100 individuals, including women and gender-diverse persons. These services are flexible and accessible, providing crucial support where it's needed. The organization's approach extends beyond shelter, incorporating programs like music therapy, child and youth programs, and addiction and mental health support.
Hutton also addresses the significant societal cost of domestic violence, noting its impact on emergency services and employers due to lost time and resources. She underscores the need for funding prevention and upstream solutions to mitigate these costs.
To raise awareness and encourage community action, Hutton mentions a symbolic walk event, where participants will walk six kilometres to represent the statistic that every six days, a woman in Canada is killed by an intimate partner. This event is part of a broader effort to move from awareness to action in tackling domestic violence.
In wrapping up, Hutton reiterates the connection between prolonged shelter stays and the affordable housing crisis, highlighting the need for more housing solutions. Her call to action is a powerful reminder of the ongoing battle against domestic violence and the collective effort required to address it effectively.
- Escalating Femicide Rates: In Ontario, there has been a disturbing increase in femicides, with 55 cases in 48 weeks in the current year. This highlights the urgent need to address domestic violence as a public health issue.
- Domestic Violence as a Public Crisis: Domestic violence, often underreported, has a significant societal cost, impacting emergency services, employers, and ultimately leading to the loss of lives.
- Women's Crisis Services' Role: Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region provides comprehensive support, including safe shelter, transitional housing, outreach services, and various programs to support women and gender-diverse individuals facing domestic violence.
- Increased Shelter Demand and Housing Crisis: The pandemic and affordable housing crisis have prolonged shelter stays, underlining the need for more resources and housing solutions.
- Community Awareness and Participation: Emphasizing the importance of public awareness and community action, Jennifer Hutton calls for engagement in initiatives like awareness walks to symbolize the severity of domestic violence.
Jennifer Hutton, CEO of Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region, delivers a powerful message on the critical issue of domestic violence and femicide. She begins by highlighting the vital services provided by her organization, including safe shelters like Anselma House and Haven House, and transitional housing through Aspen Place. These facilities represent a significant portion of the violence against women's shelter beds in the province. Hutton notes the increasing duration of shelter stays due to the pandemic and affordable housing crisis, with some families staying for up to a year.
Hutton draws attention to the alarming rise in femicides in Ontario, with 55 incidents in less than a year. She stresses that this is a gendered issue, with women and girls more likely to be killed by intimate partners or family members. This contrasts with the pattern of male homicides, which often involve acquaintances or strangers. Hutton emphasizes that these deaths are both predictable and preventable, underscoring the importance of awareness and intervention.
The Women's Crisis Services also offer outreach services, assisting around 1100 individuals, including women and gender-diverse persons. These services are flexible and accessible, providing crucial support where it's needed. The organization's approach extends beyond shelter, incorporating programs like music therapy, child and youth programs, and addiction and mental health support.
Hutton also addresses the significant societal cost of domestic violence, noting its impact on emergency services and employers due to lost time and resources. She underscores the need for funding prevention and upstream solutions to mitigate these costs.
To raise awareness and encourage community action, Hutton mentions a symbolic walk event, where participants will walk six kilometres to represent the statistic that every six days, a woman in Canada is killed by an intimate partner. This event is part of a broader effort to move from awareness to action in tackling domestic violence.
In wrapping up, Hutton reiterates the connection between prolonged shelter stays and the affordable housing crisis, highlighting the need for more housing solutions. Her call to action is a powerful reminder of the ongoing battle against domestic violence and the collective effort required to address it effectively.
