IRIS received a grant to participate in and help organize nationwide events for Justice Canada’s Victims and Survivors of Crime Week, taking place May 28 to June 3, 2017.

IRIS is working with their partners in Vancouver, Regina, Toronto, and Saint John to organize community meetings that will bring together key support providers for Indigenous, refugee women, and women living with intellectual and mental health disabilities to identify the best ways to build safety circles around these women’s groups.

While we know that violence against women is an issue affecting all women, it is evident, that particular marginalized populations of women experience ongoing violence to a much greater degree than other populations of women.

The purpose of these meetings is to bring together organizations and individuals who support Indigenous women, refugee women, women living with intellectual and mental health disabilities to arrive at a consensus on the priority needs and promising practices for the prevention and more effective response to violence and abuse.

The goal of Victims and Survivors of Crime Week is to raise awareness about the issues facing victims and survivors of crime and the services and laws in place to help victims, survivors and their families. It is also about acknowledging the dedicated work of service providers who assist victims and survivors of crime and their families.

Click here to find IRIS and many more nationwide events for Victims and Survivors of Crime Week.