Grants and Contributions:

Bridging the Gap: Exploring Forensic Evidence Self-Collection for Survivors of Sexualized Violence in Rural Communities

GV240268

$562,500.00

Mar 6, 2025 - Mar 31, 2027

This 25-month project aims to explore forensic DNA self-collection as an innovative solution to improve access to evidence collection after sexual assault in rural, remote, and underserved communities across Canada. Aligned with Call to Justice 5.5 of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, the initiative will examine international innovations from Australia, the UK, and Kenya, as well as domestic practices involving ongoing self-collection methods. Stakeholder interviews across number of provinces and territories will gather insights from legal professionals, law enforcement, front-line organizations, First Nations leaders, and medical professionals. A survey targeting the general public, including survivors, will assess perceptions and feasibility of self-collection. Key outputs include a draft forensic DNA self-collection protocol informed by literature, stakeholder feedback, and survey results. This protocol will be tested and refined through consultations and with healthcare providers. The project will culminate in a public webinar to share findings and gather additional input, ensuring recommendations reflect diverse needs. The final report will synthesize findings, provide actionable recommendations, and contribute to advancing equitable and accessible evidence collection solutions for survivors of sexualized violence across Canada. The supplemental funding will be used for in-person community engagement across the five identified regions of the project: Ontario, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Newfound and Labrador and Manitoba.

Women and Gender Equality Canada

Hanmer , Ontario, CA P3P 1G4

190-2024-2025-Q4-00039

Contribution

Grants and Contributions

Increase of agreement value

Aug 5, 2025

She Matters United

Gender-Based Violence Program

The purpose of the GBV Program is to strengthen the GBV sector to address gaps in supports for two groups of survivors: 1) Indigenous women and their communities, and 2) underserved populations (including women living with a disability, non-status/refugee /immigrant women, LGBTQ2S, gender non-conforming people and ethno-cultural women) in Canada. The Program provides grant and contribution funding to Canadian organizations to improve supports to help create long-term, comprehensive solutions at the national, regional, and local levels.