Residents, workers, students over the age of 16 are being asked for their input on southeast Saskatchewan's capacity to support people escaping gender based and domestic violence.
Envision Counselling and Support Centre is heading up a feasibility study looking at the possibility of creating a shelter in the region. Executive Director at Envision, Lynda Rideout, explains this will serve an important need for domestic violence victims in the region.
“At this time, we are transporting people out of the southeast to either Yorkton, Regina or Moose Jaw if they are in need of a domestic violence shelter. The drawbacks of that are that there are times where people refuse to go and leave an unsafe situation because they simply don't want to leave their community.”
She continues saying the idea of building a shelter has been at the forefront for a number of years, and its finally time to see if it's possible.
Envision has a confidential survey open until May 9th as part of the feasibility study, being conducted in partnership with an intern from the University of Calgary.
“The results of the survey will be part of the content of the feasibility study, that just states from the community's perspective what that need might look like.”
Following the completion of the survey, the results will be compiled. Significant items and topics gleaned from the survey will then be taken before three focus groups at the end of May.
These focus groups will be hosted in Weyburn on May 27th, Carlyle on May 28th, and Estevan on May 29th from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Further information on these events can be found by contacting an Envision office.
Participate in the five-minute, confidential survey HERE.