Haldimand & Norfolk Women's Services

06/08/2026

❤️🩷🧡💛💚💙🩵💜 Love Builds the Bundle💜🩵💙💚💛🧡🩷❤️

Love Builds the Bundle is a 2SLGBTQIAP+ toolkit and training created by the Ontario Native Women's Associate and Ganohkwasra Family Assault Support Services.

Information and Education about LBTB can be found at www.onwa.ca/love or by contacting our LBTB program at (519) 445-0216

06/02/2026

Home is supposed to be a safe haven. But as the housing crisis worsens across Canada, the lack of safe, affordable housing is trapping survivors in violent and unsafe conditions. 🕊️

According to OAITH’s femicide data, an overwhelming 79% of victims were killed inside or directly outside their residence. Without real, affordable housing alternatives, leaving an abuser is becoming an impossible choice for many.

This crisis is also fundamentally altering family structures. Ontario is now home to half of all residents living in multigenerational housing. While pooling resources can be a positive choice, research shows it is only successful when individuals have true autonomy.

When economic desperation forces families together, it places intense financial and caregiving burdens on older adults. These shifting power dynamics are known risk factors for elder abuse and femicide—often perpetrated within the home by family members, including adult sons.

We cannot talk about ending gender-based violence without talking about housing. Our policies must change to prioritize housing as a fundamental human right. ⚖️✊💜

🔗 Read more about how shifting housing norms impact survivor safety at the link in our bio.

SafeHousing housingrightsarehumanrights

05/30/2026

✨HNWS and the Justice for Women Review Team are at Haldimand and Norfolk Pride today in Jarvis!✨

Come visit Chantel and Sydney inside at the Jarvis Community Centre to win some rainbow swag to celebrate! 🌈💜

05/28/2026

Our Annual General Meeting takes place on Monday, June 22nd at 6:00pm at the new Hagersville Library + Active Living Centre. All are welcome! Please RSVP to let us know if you plan to attend. Hope to see you! 💜

05/28/2026

Shout out to VLG insurance Group in Delhi for the donation of food, toiletries and a generous cheque! Your support makes a difference in the lives of women and children in our community. Thank you! 💜

05/22/2026

Consent must be freely given.
Consent is reversible.
Consent must be informed.
Consent must be enthusiastic
Consent must be specific.

Thank you Assaulted Women's Helpline for sharing this post.

05/19/2026

In Canada, May is recognized as Sexual Violence Prevention Month—a time to reinforce a simple truth: we all have a role to play when it comes to preventing sexual violence.

Take action today and...

- Educate and share knowledge.

- Learn about local resources.

- Understand and reinforce using consent and respecting boundaries.

- Believe and support survivors in their journey and respect their needs.

Sexual assault remains the only violent crime in Canada that is not declining, even though it is widely underreported. Less than 6% of sexual assaults are reported to police (Stats. Can, 2019). Many choose not to come forward due to a lack of trust in the legal system—often shaped by systemic barriers and the painful reality of the possibility of not being believed. Recent cases and media coverage make it clear that awareness alone is not enough. It’s time to move from conversation to meaningful action—action that prioritizes prevention, supports survivors, and works to rebuild trust in our systems.

At HNWS we are here to support you, believe you, advocate, and stand by you. We are here to hear, listen, and assist you on your journey, with you taking the lead.



Reach Out:

HNWS 24-hour support line: 1-800-265-8076.

hnws.on.ca

Find an Ontario Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centre: www.sadvtreatmentcentres.ca

HNWS provides sexual assault therapy, immediate support following sexual assault, and awareness education throughout H&N.

To learn more about our programs, visit hnws.on.ca

05/19/2026

On May 15th 2026, the Supreme Court of Canada recognized intimate partner violence (IPV) as a distinct act from other forms of violence by creating a new tort. This follows the decision of Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia and advocacy that took place. Recognizing this allows survivors an easier access to compensations for harms experienced. This new tort of family violence is a major step forward for survivors of IPV and easing their experience on their journey.

See below how the LEAF (Women's Legal Education and Action Fund) supported this step forward.

Breaking - Today, the Supreme Court of Canada decided to create a new tort of intimate partner violence (IPV) in its decision in Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia, recognizing IPV as distinct from other general forms of violence, such as battery and assault, and making it easier for survivors to access compensation for the harms they experienced.

In a decision that is markedly feminist and intersectional, the majority specifically cited LEAF’s argument that access to justice matters when deciding whether to create a new tort.

We are thrilled by the outcome of this case and what it means for survivors. At a time when misogyny is becoming more and more mainstream, this decision marks an important advancement in recognizing and opposing gendered harm.

Read our full press release: https://www.leaf.ca/news/supreme-court-delivers-a-landmark-victory-for-survivors-of-intimate-partner-violence/

05/17/2026

May 17th is the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). Let’s stand with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and support one another with diversity, equity, inclusion and justice to make a safe, inclusive and welcoming community for all.

Check out the post below for some further information and a link to the Egale Canada page for IDAHOBIT 2026.

Today marks the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT)— a global moment to stand in solidarity with 2SLGBTQI communities.

This IDAHOBIT, the call to action is more pressing than ever. Together, we must confront anti-2SLGBTQI hate and discrimination to ensure the safety, dignity, and well-being of 2SLGBTQI communities everywhere.

We can achieve this by using Egale’s tools and resources to counter misinformation and disinformation, plan for safety amid rising hate, and equip ourselves and our communities with knowledge to understand and counter 2SLGBTQI hate.

Learn how at egale.ca/idahobit-2026

05/15/2026

A big shoutout to VandenBussche Irrigation for recognizing and supporting local organizations as part of their “Back to Our Community Campaign”.

Show some 💜 to Haldimand & Norfolk Women’s Services through your comments on their post below- for every comment $100 will be donated in your name to the charity you select!

Shelters like HNWS are often underfunded, and community support truly makes all the difference in helping us continue our work.

Thank you for your support!