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Ending Violence

If you need immediate support, the following resources are available:

KUU-US Crisis Line: 1-800-588-8717 — 24/7 support for Indigenous people in B.C.
Métis Crisis Line: 1-833-638-4722 — Available 24/7.
Youth in BC: Online chat is available from noon to 1 a.m. at YouthInBC.com.
B.C. Mental Health Support Line: 310-6789 (no area code) — Connects you with your local B.C. crisis line, 24/7.
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Crisis Line: 1-844-413-6649 — 24/7 support for people affected by missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.
National Indian Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419 — 24/7 support for former Indian Residential School students and their families.

BCAAFC – TELUS Mobility for Good Program

In partnership with TELUS, the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship centres (BCAAFC) distributes mobile phones to Indigenous women and girls who otherwise would not have access to cellular communication. The phones will come with one year of nationwide talk and text as well as data from TELUS.

Learn More about the Program

Photo: Leaders at the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC), TELUS, and Prince George Native Friendship Centre commemorate the new partnership between BC Friendship Centres and the TELUS Mobility for Good program at the BCAAFC Annual Membership Meeting (September 23, 2021).

Path Forward Community Fund

The Path Forward Community Fund is a provincial initiative funded by the B.C. Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General and the federal government and administered by BCAAFC. The fund supports Indigenous-led, community-defined approaches to addressing gender-based violence through safety planning, healing, and capacity building.

Since the Path Forward Community Fund was created in 2022, more than $22 million has been invested into more than 100 Indigenous-led community projects.

Learn More about the Community Fund

Additional Resources

Counselling for First Nations individuals impacted by MMIWG2S+

Free counselling is available in B.C. to survivors, family members and anyone affected by the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. People of all genders are welcome, and individuals do not need to have status or live on reserve.

The program is administered by the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA). To access free counselling, contact a provider on the FNHA Mental Health Provider List directly to schedule an appointment. Providers bill FNHA directly, so there is no upfront cost.

For more information, see the MMIWG Counselling Program FAQs or contact the First Nations Health Benefits team at 1-877-477-0775.

The Road to Safety: Indigenous Survivors in BC Speak Out against Intimate Partner Violence during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres and Battered Women’s Support Services, joined by the Union of BC Indian Chiefs and the Prince George Sexual Assault Centre, released a year-long research project: “The Road to Safety: Indigenous Survivors in BC Speak Out against Intimate Partner Violence during the COVID-19 Pandemic.”

In partnership with the University of Victoria, these leading Indigenous and anti-violence organizations in B.C. undertook a research project involving surveys and first-hand interviews with Indigenous women and gender diverse people across the province to understand the experiences of intimate partner violence that Indigenous women and gender diverse people are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key findings include:

Pressures placed by the pandemic increased the frequency and severity of intimate partner violence experienced by Indigenous women and gender diverse people. 85% of survey respondents reported an onset of intimate partner violence during the pandemic, and 77% of survey respondents reported that they experienced an increase in intimate partner violence during the pandemic.

67% of survey respondents faced challenges in accessing services during the pandemic, with 30% indicating that essential support services shut down. Growing waitlists to access services, inadequate access to transport and childcare, quarantine and isolation, racism and discrimination, and the involvement of MCFD and/or law enforcement agencies also prevented many Indigenous survivors from accessing anti-violence support services and safety.

47% of survey respondents did not have access to an Indigenous-run transition home or safe house with culturally safe and relevant supports and services.

Ending Violence

Ending Violence

If you need immediate support, the following resources are available:

BCAAFC – TELUS Mobility for Good Program

In partnership with TELUS, the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship centres (BCAAFC) distributes mobile phones to Indigenous women and girls who otherwise would not have access to cellular communication. The phones will come with one year of nationwide talk and text as well as data from TELUS.

Photo: Leaders at the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC), TELUS, and Prince George Native Friendship Centre commemorate the new partnership between BC Friendship Centres and the TELUS Mobility for Good program at the BCAAFC Annual Membership Meeting (September 23, 2021).

Path Forward Community Fund

Additional Resources

Counselling for First Nations individuals impacted by MMIWG2S+

The Road to Safety: Indigenous Survivors in BC Speak Out against Intimate Partner Violence during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Key findings include:

47% of survey respondents did not have access to an Indigenous-run transition home or safe house with culturally safe and relevant supports and services.

Read the report here.