For women around the world who experience violence in their homes, every day is an emergency. Every day is life or death. For these women and their children, the COVID-19 crisis presents complex health risks which go beyond the disease itself. 

With governments mandating social distancing and self-isolation, countless women and girls are even more isolated as they are asked to remain in the very place that is the most dangerous for them. 

Home. 

Grassroots feminist organizations knew what was coming. For some women, the lockdowns would mean increased frequency and severity of the violence they endure. For others, it would mean experiencing violence for the first time. Fear, anxiety and economic pressure amount to increased household stress, with women bearing the brunt of that stress while trapped with abusive household members. Moreover, with schools, workplaces, restaurants and community programs closed, women and their children have fewer places to turn to for refuge.

Your support will give Canadian women and their children direct access to life-saving services such as safe emergency housing, food security (food hampers, hot meals, etc.), safe transportation and trauma counselling.

Aura Freedom works closely with women’s shelters and drop-in centres in Toronto that are still operating during COVID-19 to support women and their children who are experiencing increased violence at home during this time. Our counsellors will also support women who are finding it difficult to navigate the current lockdown while experiencing trauma. 

We will focus on the most marginalized women, including Indigenous women, women living in poverty, migrant women and single mothers.

In solidarity,

The Aura Freedom team