October 2, 2020
Province Seeks Service Provider to Deliver Residential Program for Men Affected by Domestic Violence
– – –Request for Expression of Interest Looks to Expand Residential Programming for Male Victims of Family Violence in Manitoba: Cox
The Manitoba government is issuing a request for expression of interest (REOI) for a service provider to deliver a residential program for men affected by domestic violence, Sport, Culture and Heritage Minister Cathy Cox, minister responsible for the status of women, announced today.
“We recognize that men in Manitoba experience violence caused by intimate partners and family members, which results in trauma and suffering,” said Cox. “We are expanding men’s programming to fill a service gap in our province, as very few organizations in our family violence sector provide supports for male victims.”
The minister noted the REOI puts an emphasis on residential programming, as there is currently a very limited amount of programming with a housing component offered to male victims of domestic violence. The province is looking to increase support in that area by redirecting funding through the Family Violence Prevention Program (FVPP) to develop a men’s support program with a residential component.
The FVPP provides funding to community-based organizations that offer special services for Manitobans impacted by family violence. The program has an overall annual budget of $11.6 million and provides funding to 31 agencies that implement 36 community-based programs and services.
“We are looking for innovative ideas and solutions from experienced service providers to create a plan that includes accommodations and supportive programming to help men impacted by domestic violence including those in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community,” said Cox. “Men’s programming is an important part of the service continuum to address gender-based violence in Manitoba.”
The province is looking for individual non-profit organizations, as well as programs or agencies willing to work in partnership with each other to meet the service delivery needs of the REOI.
The province will redirect $264,500 that it currently provides to The Laurel Centre for its Men’s Resource Centre, which runs an emergency shelter program for men. The Laurel Centre and the province will work together with selected organizations or agencies to guide the creation of a dedicated men’s residential program. The Laurel Centre will continue to receive government funding to support its mandate to deliver services to men and women who have experienced childhood sexual abuse.
The province will work with the successful candidate and The Laurel Centre to develop a transition plan and deliver men’s programming by April 1, 2021.
The province has posted the REOI on MERX with an application deadline of Nov. 3.
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