Quebec to invest almost $900K for Indigenous victims of domestic violence

Organizers at the 2021 World Women's March wanted to send a message to the Quebec government to promote and protect Indigenous women's rights. (Christine Long/CTV News)

Quebec is investing almost $900,000 over three years into services for Indigenous women who are victims of domestic and sexual violence.

The money will go to Espace Femmes Premières Nations Québec (EFPNQ), in partnership with Femmes Autochtones du Québec, to develop a 24/7 support phone line. Women in precarious situations will be able to get help in French, English and several Indigenous languages.

The support will also be used to develop and offer referral services to psychosocial, legal and other resources.

“I don’t need to remind you that the situation is critical among Indigenous women and girls in relation to domestic, family and sexual violence. It’s still with us, and even more so now, following the pandemic. This service will enable us to respond to a real need,” said Marjolaine Étienne, president of Femmes autochtones du Québec.

Martine Biron, Quebec’s minister for the status of women, said it’s encouraging to see that Indigenous women will be able to talk to each other and get appropriate help at a news conference in Wendake Monday.

“Indigenous women have a higher risk of being victims of domestic violence and experience more serious forms of violence than non-Indigenous women. They are also over-represented as victims of intimate partner homicide,” said Biron’s cabinet in a news release.

The project is in line with the government’s Strategy to Combat Sexual Violence, Domestic Violence and Rebuilding Trust 2022-2027.

With files from The Canadian Press