By Survivors, For Survivors
Supporting survivors of gender-based violence through recovery and beyond.


SURVIVOR ADVOCATES FOR EMPOWERMENT

By survivors, for survivors!

Supporting survivors of gender-based violence through recovery and beyond.

Donate
two women are hugging each other in a field of tall grass .

Support

Advocacy

Facts

Education

HOW SAFE HELPS

SAFE’s role is to assist survivors.

  • SAFE acts as a companion and guide in helping individuals understand their options at whichever point they are at in their journey to safety and security.
  • SAFE’s survivor-led support model is rooted in providing 100% peer support through the entire process.
  • SAFE will engage in community advocacy for survivors for the purpose of increasing awareness and improving existing services through peer support utilizing the survivor’s voice. 
  • SAFE provides public education opportunities for survivors to identify violence and move towards recovery; and opportunities for non-survivors to understand violence and support the movement towards eradicating gender-based violence.
Donate
woman holding a paper - silence allows violence

GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IS A DECLARED EPIDEMIC

Halton Regional Police Service Police respond to 10 calls per day and make three arrests per day, related to intimate partner violence (IPV) — and that’s just what is reported.

SUPPORT, ADVOCACY, FACTS, EDUCATION

SAFE's mission is to address and prevent specific barriers faced by victims and survivors of gender-based violence, their families, and their friends by providing:


1. Peer support, discussion groups, outreach programs, and workshops catered to the specific needs of survivors, as identified by survivors.

2. Educational programs to and consulting with community organizations about gender-based violence from the perspective of survivors with lived experience.

SUPPORT


We pick you up where you are, and take you where you want to go

ADVOCACY


Advocating on behalf of people suffering from gender-based violence in the forums that matter

FACTS


Provide relevant and timely resources based on a survivor’s specific needs

EDUCATION


Survivor-led education of victims and the wider community

There were more than 3,500 intimate partner violence calls to Halton Regional Police Service in 2022, leading to 2,100 charges and 949 arrests. Halton Women’s Place receives 2,500 calls every year to its crisis information and support line.

Members of survivor advocacy group SAFE — Survivor Advocate for Empowerment — also delegated at the meeting, with one woman sharing her experience being in an abusive relationship.

WHO WE ARE

SAFE is about the voice of the survivor.

SAFE is an organization composed of survivors of gender-based violence and their advocates.

After coming out of their traumatic experience of violence, they were faced with challenges of navigating ways to safety, while also trying to understand the options available for assistance. 

They understand what survivors are going through, emotionally, physically, legally, financially and pragmatically. 

SAFE is Becoming an Official Charitable Organization to:

Increase a good level of public trust

Increase confidence to the public and funders that SAFE is regulated

Provide the ability to issue official donation receipts for gifts SAFE receives from individuals and corporations

Run survivor-focused programs for survivors, family, and friends

Expand operations, and ensure that services from survivors to survivors can be more readily available for people who need them

Steps for SAFE to Become a Charity

SAFE was incorporated on August 7, 2023 and is applying for charitable status with the Canadian Government.

This is being done concurrently as the SAFE Committee continues to support survivors at a grass-roots level.

RAISE FUNDS

Raise funds for SAFE's operations and programming

Donate

APPLICATION

Complete and submit charitable status application to Government of Canada

APPROVAL

Obtain approval and Charitable Registration #

REGISTER

Register Charity with GoFundMe and other charitable sources

Almost two thirds (64%) of people in Canada know a woman who has experienced physical, sexual, or emotional abuse

- Canadian Women’s Foundation

CERTIFICATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS

Survivor-based Board Members of SAFE are certified with and/or have membership with: 

All of this is being done with the aim to support those in crisis and those who are recovering from crisis. 

HELP US SUPPORT SURVIVORS

DONATE TODAY

Your donation will help SAFE obtain Charitable Status so as to continue their mission of:

  • Community engagement through peer support
  • Community referrals
  • Outreach programs and workshops
  • Raising awareness through educational public speaking
  • Consultation with local organizations and governments
  • Active participation in community events
  • Monitoring community needs
  • Operationalizing the “Recovery & Beyond” program

All of this is being done with the aim to support those in crisis and those who are recovering from crisis. 


There are 2 ways to donate to SAFE.


Make an e-transfer to "donations@survivor-advocates.org"

or

Donate via GoFundMe Campaign

SURVIVOR ADVOCATES FOR EMPOWERMENT

By Survivors, For Survivors

Supporting survivors of gender-based violence through recovery and beyond.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Will I get a tax receipt for my donation?

    Unfortunately, not at this time. The process to obtain charity status is currently underway, so we will be able to provide donation receipts for tax deduction purposes once that occurs. 


    Your donation will help us continue our mission of community engagement through peer support, community referrals, outreach programs and workshops, raising awareness through educational public speaking, consultation with local organizations and governments, active participation in community events, and monitoring community needs all done with the aim to support those in crisis and those who are recovering from crisis. Thank you again for your generosity and allyship. 


    SAFE’S most important next step is to operationalize our primary program, “Recovery & Beyond”. This program is designed by survivors for survivors, meant to help individuals in crisis or recently out of crisis to identify abusive behaviours, explore emotions, and plan towards long-term healing. Donations in the foreseeable future will be used for this purpose.


  • What is gender-based violence?

    Gender-based violence can be viewed as a deeply personal and traumatic experience rooted in power imbalances related to gender. It encompasses a range of physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, and psychological abuses that are directed at women and girls because of their gender. 

  • What is domestic violence?

    Domestic violence is when someone in a family or a close relationship hurts or controls their partner or family member. This can be hitting, yelling, forcing them to do things they don't want to, or keeping them away from friends and family. It's not just physical harm; it also includes actions and words that hurt emotionally and make someone feel scared or small. It happens in what should be a safe and loving environment, which makes it especially hard and confusing for those who experience it. Domestic violence can include physical, emotional, psychological, sexual and financial abuse. 

  • How can I tell if I’m in an abusive relationship?

    Knowing if you're in an abusive relationship can be hard, but there are key signs. It's not just about physical harm. Look for things like your partner controlling what you do, making you feel scared or bad about yourself, cutting you off from friends, forcing you into things, or threatening you. If you often feel scared or small around them, it's a big red flag. Remember, a healthy relationship should make you feel safe and respected.

  • What exactly is considered sexual assault?

    Sexual assault is any unwanted sexual activity, including touching, grabbing, and rape. It’s an act where consent is not freely given by the victim. It’s important to remember that consent must be clear, enthusiastic, and ongoing.

  • How do I know if what happened to me is sexual assault?

    If you experienced any form of sexual contact or behavior without your explicit consent, it is considered sexual assault. This includes any non-consensual touching, forced sexual acts, feeling like you cannot say no, being under the influence or being made to participate in sexual activities against your will.

  • I was sexually assaulted. What should I do first?

    First, get to a safe place. Your safety and well-being are the most important. If you are hurt or need immediate help, call emergency services. Remember, it's your choice to report the assault, but it can be helpful to preserve any evidence if you decide to. This means not showering or changing clothes if possible. Reach out to someone you trust for support. Consider contacting a sexual assault hotline or a local support organization for guidance on what to do next and to talk about your options. Remember, what happened is not your fault, and help is available.

  • Will people believe me if I tell them about the assault?

    It can be scary to share what happened, but many people will believe and support you. It’s crucial to talk to someone you trust, whether it’s a friend, family member, or a professional at a support organization.

  • How can I support a friend who confided in me about their sexual assault?

    Listen without judgement and believe their story. Offer your support and help them explore their options, but remember to respect their choices and pace. Encourage them to seek professional support if they’re open to it.

  • How can I get involved with SAFE?

    There are a few ways you can get involved with SAFE. Thank you for your interest.


    First, if you're looking to get involved in a volunteer capacity, that's great!

    SAFE currently has the following opportunities available for volunteer roles:


    ✔️ SAFE Fundraising Team


    ✔️ Events Team


    ✔️ SAFE Committee*


    *The SAFE Committee, is the heart and soul of SAFE. The Committee is made up of female-identified and non-binary survivors who are no longer in crisis. Their core focus is to provide support and services for survivors and their family members, educating the community through advocacy efforts and speaking engagements, and providing community consultations to organizations who service survivors.


    Submit your interest to volunteer via email: info@survivor-advocates.org


    Secondly, you can get involved by staying informed. Follow SAFE on all our social channels.


    Lastly, subscribe to SAFE News (a monthly newsletter) to:


    💜 Get the scoop: Always be in the loop with the latest news and info that matters to SAFE. Think updates on laws, cool resources, and helpful tips.


    💜 Get a heads up on events: Get the lowdown on cool events like workshops, speaking engagements and events. Perfect for learning new stuff and meeting people.


    💜 Make a difference: Hear about neat ways to get involved. Whether it's volunteering, spreading the word, or other cool projects, you can really make an impact.


    💜 Learn lots: Expect awesome articles, interviews, and real-life stories that teach you a ton about what it's like for survivors and how to help.


    💜 Feel the power: Regular doses of empowerment and inspiration to keep your spirits high and your motivation strong.


    It's more than just a mailing list – it's a way to stay connected, informed, and ready to make a difference. Plus, it's pretty cool to be part of a community that cares!


    Locate the PURPLE button "Subscribe to SAFE News" at the bottom of our Home page.

  • How can I support a friend and/or family member experiencing gender-based violence?

    Good for you for wanting to help. There 7 ways you can help:


    1. Listen patiently without judgment.

    2. Believe them.

    3. Validate their feelings.

    4. Be patient and keep constant communication.

    5. Encourage them to build a support network of family & friends.

    6. Help them make a safety plan.

    7. Don’t give up on them.


    Please locate the button just below this section and download/save a paper that goes into detail about these 7 ways.


Share by: