A new report, Navigating the System: A Gender Based Violence Perspective, produced by Community Potential, in partnership with the Coalition to End Violence Against Women (CEVAW), provides a detailed analysis of how Niagara’s gender-based violence (GBV) support system can better respond to survivors through improved coordination, collaboration, and referral accuracy.
CEVAW is a diverse collective voice of over 20 organizations across the Niagara region working toward ending gender-based violence against all women and their children. CEVAW’s mission is to raise public awareness, educate, share information, and identify and dismantle systemic barriers that perpetuate violence.
This three-year project was funded by the Ontario Government through the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services and offers a comprehensive assessment of the current state of the GBV system in Niagara. It showcases the strength and dedication of the sector to create change, and addresses challenges and gaps in the current system, which include shelter intake processes, system navigation challenges, and barriers to shelter, housing, and mental health supports. Importantly, the report highlights the collective effort of local organizations to coordinate services despite limited resources, and their ongoing commitment to improving system navigation for those most in need.
Through environmental scans, network mapping, focus groups, and scenario-based consultation, the project uncovered opportunities for greater integration and collaboration and how CEVAW can champion this work. The projects findings underscore the importance of a trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and inclusive approach, especially one that better supports individuals with complex needs (including newcomers, non-binary individuals, and those facing concurrent barriers such as substance use or mental health challenges).
Moving forward, CEVAW and its partners aim to continue building on these insights—working together to create a unified, trauma-informed network of services that reflects Niagara’s collective commitment to safety, dignity, and equity for all survivors of gender-based violence.
The report will formally launch in early December, and any ongoing tool development related to the findings will be shared widely once available.
You can access the report by clicking HERE.
If you have questions about the report, please send us an email at hello@communitypotential.ca.
