Gender-Based Violence Task Force prepares for community engagement

The Task Force to End Gender-Based Violence is preparing to engage with survivors, community organizations and other groups as it develops initiatives aimed at preventing and addressing gender-based violence in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The task force met in St. John’s on Aug. 25 and 26 to discuss an engagement plan designed to bring a range of perspectives into its work.

Those perspectives will include survivors and people with lived experience, community partners, Indigenous communities, rural and remote residents, youth, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, persons with disabilities, newcomers, racialized individuals and workers at risk of gender-based violence.

As an initial step, individuals who want to share their experiences or organizations interested in making a presentation to the task force are encouraged to contact GBVTaskForce@gov.nl.ca.

The task force said further details about its engagement plan will be released once it is finalized.

The meetings also focused on several violence prevention and justice initiatives, including electronic monitoring, emergency protection orders and the need for post-release supports for people in Labrador, particularly those incarcerated for intimate partner violence.

The task force received updates from the Department of Social Supports and Well-Being on the province's Poverty Reduction and Prevention Strategy, as well as an update on the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program from the Department of Health and Community Services.

The Department of Justice and Public Safety provided an update on recommendations from the Policing Transformation Working Group report related to gender-based violence.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation also provided an update on housing, while the Public Legal Information Association of Newfoundland and Labrador and The Journey Project presented information about what survivors are telling them about healing, accountability and justice.

The task force says ensuring survivors and people directly affected by violence have a meaningful role in decision-making is central to its work.

The 12-member task force includes Georgina McGrath, Lisa Brenton-Lake, Dr. Elder Odelle Pike, Elder Charlotte Wolfrey, Stacey Hoffe and Mary Walsh, along with six members representing provincial government departments and agencies.

Its first public report is expected to be delivered in fall 2026.