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Report To: General Government Committee
Date of Meeting: December 2, 2024 Report Number: LGS-039-24
Submitted By: Rob Maciver, Deputy CAO/Solicitor
Reviewed By: Mary-Anne Dempster, CAO By-law Number:
Authored By: Pinder DaSilva, IDEA Officer
File Number: Resolution#:
Report Subject: Intimate Partner Violence - Support of Bethesda House
Recommendation:
1.That Report LGS-039-24, and any related delegations or communication items, be
received;
2. That the following actions be taken to support Bethesda House in their efforts to access
resources needed to help prevent Intimate Partner Violence (IPV):
a. The Regional Councillor for Wards 1 & 2, as a member of the Regional Health
and Social Services Committee, is asked to support Bethesda House in their
delegation to the December 2024 meeting;
b. The Regional Councillor for Wards 1 & 2 is asked to advocate to the Health and
Social Services Committee on behalf of Bethesda House and their request for
funds to support two additional beds;
3.That the IDEA Officer be directed to:
a.Provide Letters of Support to Bethesda House for their future funding
applications, highlighting the need for resources and funding to support victims of
Intimate Partner Violence;
b. Continue to dialogue with Bethesda House, to identify future opportunities to
collaborate in support of victims of Intimate Partner Violence;
4. That Clarington Community Engagement Staff continue with the following outstanding
actions, arising out of the recommendations of Report LGS-003-24:
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a. Plan and host an Intimate Partner Violence Roundtable in December 2025 with
community partners to bring awareness and discuss potential community-based
solutions that will address the lack of resources;
b. Propose a funding stream, as part of the 2025 budget, within the Community
Funding Program, which supports community safety programs, including IPV,
especially in rural areas of Clarington;
5. That this resolution be forwarded to all Durham MPPs, the Ontario Ministry of the
Attorney General, the Ministry of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity, Durham
Region Council, all lower-tier Durham municipalities, and Durham Regional Police
Services Board; and
6. That all interested parties listed in Report LGS-039-24, and any delegations be advised
of Council’s decision.
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Report Overview
Arising out of a delegation from Bethesda House, this report provides recommendations to
implement actions to support Bethesda House in their efforts to access resources needed to
help prevent Intimate Partner Violence (IPV).
1. Background
Clarington Actions
1.1 Clarington is committed to providing a safe, diverse, inclusive, and vibrant community
for its residents. Strategic Priority C.2.5 is committed to “supporting the proactive
management of community safety and well-being” and includes the following actions:
Collaborate with Durham Regional Police Services – Community Safety Advisory
Council to support the proactive management of community safety matters.
Support the development and implementation of the Community Safety and Well-
Being Plan (facilitated by Region of Durham).
Prioritize initiatives to improve community safety and well-being.”
1.2 In March 2023, a jury made 86 recommendations to the Province resulting from the
inquest into the murders of Carol Culleton, Anastasia Kuzyk and Nathalie Warmerdam
who were murdered as a result of intimate partner violence (IPV) in 2015.
1.3 In response to the jury’s recommendations, on June 12, 2023, Clarington Council
approved Resolution #GG-121-23, a New Business item brought forward:
That Staff investigate the recommendations of the Renfrew County Inquest
and report back on which recommendations could be implemented by the
Municipality of Clarington
1.4 In response to the above Resolution #GG-121-23, Council considered Report LGS-003-
24 on February 5, 2024, outlining the actions that the Municipality would commit to,
including:
Arranging training, in 2024, for front-line staff who may encounter IPV situations;
Incorporating a reference to IPV within Clarington’s 2024 Reconciliation Action
Plan.
Promoting and sharing public education campaigns to promote awareness about
IPV including, where available, in multiple languages and formats;
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Identifying/creating, by end of 2024, private confidential spaces in libraries and
community centres, where victims of IPV could make phone calls to shelters,
police and victim services for support and guidance;
Co-hosting age-appropriate community awareness programs which address IPV
in 2024/2025;
Proposing a funding stream, as part of the 2025 budget, within the Community
Funding Program, which supports community safety programs, including IPV,
especially in rural areas of Clarington; and
Installing information and resources in recreation facility washrooms and
community message boards in 2024.
Staff have made progress on the above recommendations, with the last two bullets remaining
outstanding.
1.5 Report LGS-003-24 also included a recommendation that Council take the following
actions in an effort to help prevent Intimate Partner Violence:
Affirm that Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) has reached epidemic proportions;
Continue to advocate, to the Region of Durham, for transportation services for
residents accessing IPV-related support where public transportation is
inadequate, or not available;
Continue advocating for expanded cell service and high-speed internet
throughout the community; and
Continue to promote and support community safety outreach programs across
the Municipality.
2. Delegation from Bethesda House
2.1 Arising out of the February 5, 2024, GGC meeting, Executive Director of Bethesda
House, Laura Burch, was invited as a delegate to present to Council. Laura Burch
spoke at the May 6, 2024, GGC meeting, and presented several resource challenges
associated with their work, including:
In the previous year, Bethesda House received over 3000 crisis calls from
individuals in distress, seeking support from the torment of abuse;
Due to limited resources, recruitment and retention challenges due to wage
disparities for staff, and space capacity constraints, they had to turn away over
800 women and their children annually, leaving them vulnerable to further harm;
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In 2023-24 fiscal year, Bethesda House served 169 women and children in the
shelter, while the community counsellor and housing worker served 295 clients;
In Ontario, since November 2023, there have been 17 femicides, with 7 of those
in March 2024 and;
There is considerable disparity between the demand for shelter space and
capacity to accommodate those in need. Despite the population growth and the
need for comprehensive support in combating gender-based violence Bethesda
House is still only funded for 18 beds, significantly limiting their ability to serve all
those seeking safety.
2.2 Following the Bethesda House delegation, Council approved Resolution #GG-072-24:
That the Delegation of Laura Burch, Executive Director, Bethesda House,
Regarding the Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic, be received;
That Staff engage with Bethesda House to review their recommendations to
compare with Clarington's IDEA Plan; and
That Staff report back on the collaboration with Bethesda House.
2.3 In response to these significant resource challenges, Bethesda House submitted a
proposal, in November 2023, to the Region of Durham to fund two overflow beds at a
cost of $49,467.60 per room per year. They have not received a fulsome response the
Region of Durham.
2.4 Laura Burch presented several calls to action to Council, including a request for
Council’s support to expedite the Region of Durham’s review of their proposal for
overflow beds.
Investment in Shelter Infrastructure to support the expansion and enhancement
of shelter facilities, ensuring that every survivor has access to a safe bed when
fleeing abuse.
Address the wage disparities among shelter staff to support the quality of care
provided to survivors. Fair compensation is not only a matter of equity but a
prerequisite for effective service delivery.
Expedite the review of the proposal for overflow beds, recognizing the urgent
need to bolster the capacity to accommodate survivors in crisis.
Community Engagement and Education, including the allocation of resources
towards community education initiatives aimed at fostering a culture of respect,
equality, and non-violence.
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Community Fundraising and Awareness Event: Attend and support IPV Epidemic
Awareness Event and Walk held at Durham Region Headquarters on September
21, in partnership with Herizon House, Y’s Wish, Denise House, Luke’s Place,
Safety Network Durham, and Victim Services.
2.5 Arising out of Laura Burch’s presentation, Council approved the following Resolution
#GG-072-24 at the May 27, 2024, Council meeting:
That the Delegation of Laura Burch, Executive Director, Bethesda House,
Regarding the Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic, be received;
That Staff engage with Bethesda House to review their recommendations to
compare with Clarington's IDEA Plan; and
That Staff report back on the collaboration with Bethesda House.
3. Clarington Legislative Services Staff Review
3.1 Legislative Services Staff met with Laura Burch and provided information on actions the
Municipality of Clarington has already taken to support Intimate Partner Violence:
I nformation and resources posters installed at recreation facility washrooms and
community message boards;
Identified private confidential spaces in libraries and community centres, where
victims of IPV could make phone calls to shelters, police and victim services for
support and guidance and;
Provided training to front-line and Management Staff in Community Services and
Clarington Public Library on recognizing and supporting victims of Intimate
Partner Violence.
3.2 Unfortunately, the majority of Bethesda House’s calls to action presented to Clarington
Council required financial resources that are out of scope for the Municipality of
Clarington. Therefore, Legislative Services Staff discussed supporting Bethesda House
with the following actions:
P rovide Letters of Support for future funding applications, highlighting the need
for resources and funding to support victims of Intimate Partner Violence.
Set up a meeting with Clarington Regional Councillors to discuss potential
actions Council could take at Regional Council meeting to support Bethesda
House.
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4. Clarington Council Actions
Legislative Services Staff, along with Clarington’s Regional Councillors for Wards 1 & 2 and
Wards 3 & 4, met with Laura Burch on October 28, 2024. At the meeting, Laura shared that
Bethesda House:
Has not heard from the Municipality of Region of Durham staff regarding their
funding request for the two additional beds.
Has not officially presented their request to Regional Council or at the Health and
Social Services Committee.
Has had recent conversations with Durham Regional Police Services and Ontario
Provincial Police who are both looking at submitting funding proposals in
partnership with Bethesda House.
Has been provided with a contact at the Premiers Office who Laura is
communicating with to submit a request for funds proposal to support additional
wages and resources to support staff hiring and retention.
The two additional beds that they are requesting funds for are currently being
used due to the high demand for their services. They are currently funding these
beds through fundraising initiatives, but it is not sustainable long term.
Arising out of the discussion, the following recommendations were developed:
Bethesda House present a delegation at the December 2024 Health and Social
Services Committee to request funding for the two additional beds. Councillor
Anderson is a member of the Committee and will support the request.
That Bethesda House explain to the Health and Social Services Committee that
the beds are not empty but being used as the demand is high but not financially
sustainable.
That Bethesda House reach out to Clarington Legislative Services Staff when
they require letters of support when submitting the requests for funding to the
Provincial government.
5. Financial Considerations
There are no financial considerations that impact the Municipality of Clarington.
6. Concurrence
Not applicable.
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7. Strategic Plan
This report aligns with Strategic Priority C.2.5 which states that Clarington is committed
to “supporting the proactive management of community safety and well-being.”
8. Conclusion
It is respectfully recommended that Council approve the Staff recommendations made
in this report to advocate to the Region of Durham to approve the funding request from
Bethesda for two additional beds at a cost of $49,467.60 per room per year.
Staff Contact: Pinder DaSilva, IDEA Officer, 905-623-3379 ext. 2563 or
pdasilva@clarington.net.
Attachments:
Not Applicable
The following interested parties will be notified of Council's decision:
Regional Municipality of Durham
Laura Burch, Bethesda House
Durham MPPs
Ministry of the Attorney General
Ministry of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity
Durham Region Council
Durham Regional Police Services