A new report from the British Columbia Society of Transition Houses finds that women with experience of violence, mental health and substance use issues are often unable to access supports that acknowledge a link or relationship between the three areas. The report also reveals funding and policy gaps at the system-level across provincial, territorial and federal government ministries that impact on services for women.
The authors include a summary of a review prepared for the Canadian Women’s Foundation. The review contains an overview of the intersections of violence against women, mental health and substance use, and consideration of contributing factors such as service, funding and policy gaps. The report is based on consultations with women with lived experience, service providers and representatives from various government bodies across the country via phone interviews, e-mail questionnaires, and requests for information and resources.
See “Report on Violence Against Women, Mental Health and Substance Use,” Canadian Women’s Foundation and B.C. Society of Transition Houses, February 2011, available at www.bcsth.ca.