On February 28, the federal government announced $1 million in funding to support crisis hotlines in the province, a bilateral agreement with the Government of Saskatchewan.
Jo-Anne Dusel, Executive Director of PATHS, said, “I am very pleased to see this first installment of federal funding coming to Saskatchewan as part of the historic agreement between federal, provincial, and territorial governments to address all forms of gender-based violence. Crisis lines are often the first point of contact for victims and survivors of gender-based violence as they seek safety and support. It is so important that these calls go directly to professionals trained in trauma-and-violence-informed practice and crisis counselling. Whether survivors need emergency shelter, counselling, referrals, ongoing outreach, and support or just a caring ear, crisis lines can be a literal lifeline to those who experience violence and abuse.”