Rogers provides hundreds of phones as critical digital lifelines for Quebec women experiencing violence and abuse during COVI...
December 03 2020 - 7:00AM
Deep into the second wave of COVID-19, Rogers Communications today
announced it is providing hundreds of free phones, voice and data
plans to women’s shelters across Quebec to enable connectivity for
women experiencing violence and abuse. A recent report shows that
since the start of the pandemic, the severity of violence against
women seeking shelters has doubled, causing an urgent need to
support women and children who may be facing the reality of being
at home with an abusive family member.
“For Quebec women and children escaping abuse, phones and
connectivity provide an essential digital lifeline that allows them
to access emergency resources safely,” said Edith Cloutier,
President of Quebec, Rogers Communications. “When home is no longer
a safe place to be, we’re proud to help enable these critical
connections for women and children so they can access critical
resources from the organizations that support them.”
Expanding on a previous announcement with Quebec women’s
shelters like L’Arrêt-Source and Le Chaînon in
Montreal last spring, Rogers is providing hundreds of additional
phones along with six months of free voice and data plans to
women’s shelters across the province. The company is extending all
services to the end of June 2021 to bridge connectivity needs as
women are experiencing increased isolation during the second
COVID-19 wave, with restrictions across Quebec.
Quebec women’s shelters receiving phones and plans include
L'Inter Elles in Langelier, Maison Simonne Monet-Chartrand in
Chambly, La Maison d'hébergement L'Égide in La Prairie, Le Havre
des Femmes in L’Islet, La maison d’Athena in Montréal, Maison
secours aux femmes in Montréal, La Clé sur la Porte in
St-Hyacinthe, L'Ombre-Elle in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts,
Regroup'elles in Terrebonne, and Havre l'Éclaircie in
St-Georges.
“It is crucial for women victims of violence, regardless of the
region across Quebec, to be able to communicate easily and quickly
with their loved ones, but also to stay in contact with shelter
teams in case of need or danger,” said Manon Monastesse, Executive
Director, Fédération des maisons d’hébergement pour femmes. “All
the more so in this time of the pandemic, during which it is
advisable to stay at home and go out as little as possible. Phones
are tools that allow women to communicate securely and discreetly
with shelters.”
“We know that the pandemic has had a significant impact on
women,” said Mathilde Trou, co-responsible for political issues,
Regroupement des maisons pour femmes victimes de violence
conjugale. “Thanks to these cell phones, the women in our care
and staying in our shelters will be able to stay in touch with
their loved ones and continue their efforts, without having to
worry about the minutes they have left on their phone. This is
invaluable help and will be greatly appreciated.”
“A phone is a crucial link for isolated women to maintain
contact with their loved ones and our support services during the
pandemic,” said Gaëlle Fedida, Political Affairs Coordinator,
Alliance des maisons d’hébergement de 2e étape pour femmes et
enfants victimes de violence conjugale. “Having safe phone lines at
their disposal, ones that are unknown to their abusive spouse,
allows women to concretely move forward towards a new life without
violence.”
If you are a 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 shelter and its crisis line
on sheltersafe.ca/quebec.
In addition to today’s announcement, Rogers previously announced
donations of 300 phones and plans to keep Quebec youth connected to
mentors. These services have been extended by another six months to
bridge connectivity needs during this second wave of COVID-19. This
includes phones and plans to organizations like Big Brothers Big
Sisters of Greater Montreal to allow “Littles” to stay in regular
contact with their “Bigs”, Pflag Montreal for virtual peer
mentoring sessions for LGBTQ2S+ youth and their families, and for
virtual youth education programs offered by YMCA of Quebec and the
Fondation pour les élèves de la Commission scolaire de la région de
Sherbrooke.
About Rogers Rogers 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.
For more information:Rogers Communications,
media@rci.rogers.com, 1-844-226-1338
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