Connectivity a critical digital lifeline for Indigenous women across Canada experiencing violence and abuse during COVID-19
December 03 2020 - 7:00AM
Rogers Communications today announced a new partnership with the
National Aboriginal Circle Against Family Violence (NACAFV), to
provide free phones and data plans to women’s shelters across the
country that support Indigenous women and children. The
COVID-19 pandemic has revealed urgent needs among Canada’s most
vulnerable communities, including Indigenous women and children who
may be facing the reality of being at home with an abusive family
member.
“It’s unfathomable to imagine the dual crises of domestic
violence and physical isolation brought on by COVID-19. We
are well into a second wave, and the need is urgent,” said Sevaun
Palvetzian, Chief Communications Officer and lead for corporate
social responsibility at Rogers Communications. “For women and
children escaping violence and abuse, phones and connectivity
provide an essential digital lifeline. We’re proud to work
with the National Aboriginal Circle Against Family Violence, which
provides housing and support for Indigenous women, when home is no
longer safe, and to help enable connectivity for women to safely
access resources.”
Rogers is providing complimentary phones along with six months
of free voice and data plans to Indigenous women’s shelters
including Gignoo Transition House Inc. in New Brunswick,
Ganohkwasra Family Assault Support Services, Onyota’a:ka Family
Healing Lodge, Nimkii-Naabkawagan Batchewana Family Crisis Shelter,
and Le Thi Nis Ten: Ha Le Thi Non Ronh Khwn in Ontario, Fisher
River Healing Center in Manitoba, Qu’Appelle Haven Safe Shelter and
Yorkton YTC Safe Shelter in Saskatchewan, Neepinise Family Healing
Centre, Stoney Eagle’s Nest Women’s Emergency Shelter, and
Ermineskin Women’s Emergency Shelter in Alberta, Okanagan Nation
Emergency Transition House and Wilma’s Transition House, both in
British Columbia.
“With many of our shelters in remote locations - where everyone
is intimately connected - and with increased lockdowns in
communities, it’s getting more difficult for Indigenous women to
get away from their abusers,” said Sheila Swasson, President,
National Aboriginal Circle Against Family Violence. “Once a woman
does escape and finds safe haven in our shelters, she needs a phone
that allows her to safely access medical and social services, to
remain in touch with family and friends, and one that can’t be
tracked by her abuser. We are so grateful to Rogers for helping
Indigenous women and their children when they need it the
most.”
Last spring, Rogers announced a partnership with Women’s
Shelters Canada to provide hundreds of free phones and six months
of free voice and data plans to provide connectivity for women
escaping violence and abuse. In light of the second wave of
COVID-19, we have announced a six-month extension to those plans
for women’s shelters across the country, in addition to those
provided to organizations supporting vulnerable communities like
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada and Pflag Canada.
If you are an Indigenous woman living in an abusive home, or you
know someone who is, you can call your local shelter’s 24/7 crisis
line for advice and support. Find your local Indigenous
shelter and its crisis line on www.nacafv.ca.
About RogersRogers is a proud Canadian company
dedicated to making more possible for Canadians each and every
day. Our founder, Ted Rogers, purchased his first radio
station, CHFI, in 1960. We have grown to become a leading
technology and media company that strives to provide the very best
in wireless, residential, sports, and media to Canadians and
Canadian businesses. Our shares are publicly traded on the Toronto
Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock
Exchange (NYSE: RCI). If you want to find out more about us,
visit about.rogers.com.
About National Aboriginal Circle Against Family
ViolenceThe National Aboriginal Circle Against Family
Violence advocates for and supports shelters by providing practical
training, culturally appropriate resources and opportunities to
network in a supportive environment. For more information, please
visit nacafv.ca.
For further
information:
Rogers Communications, media@rci.rogers.com, 1-844-226-1338National
Aboriginal Circle Against Family Violence,
sheilaswasson@gmail.com
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