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enhancewellnessm4y

A five year research project by VLMFSS, funded by Public Safety Canada.
Focus Group registration: https://ewm4y.ca/focus-group-registration/

Dec. 5 16 days of GBV: Digital GBV Intervention Dec. 5 
16 days of GBV:

Digital GBV Intervention Resources 
 
In the public health and anti-violence sectors, a transformative trend of digital interventions emerged as an alternative coping strategy, reflecting a growing awareness of mental wellness and the resilience of domestic violence survivors. 
 
Have you heard of the iHeal app? iHeal is a safe and confidential wellness app developed by researchers from Western University, the University of British Columbia, and the University of New Brunswick. It aims to promote safety and well-being by prioritizing women’s needs and choices. Supported by a nurse-led, equity-oriented, and violence- and trauma-informed lens, iHeal provides safety assessment, resources, and resilience-building tools for women and service providers 
 
You can download iHeal via Google Play, Apple Store or access their web platform at https://ihealapp.ca/

#EndGBV #NoMoreSilence #StandWithSurvivors
#16daysofactivism #16daysofactivismagainstgenderbasedviolence #noexcuseforonlineause #GBV #enhancingwellnessm4y #m4y
On behalf of the M4Y Project, we would like to ext On behalf of the M4Y Project, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Burnaby Family Life for hosting such a meaningful event.
We are deeply grateful for the warm welcome, the thoughtful coordination, and the opportunity to connect with your community.

Your commitment to supporting families and youth aligns closely with our mission, and we truly appreciate the space you created for meaningful conversation and learning. 
Thank you for giving us the platform to share our work and for fostering such an engaged and supportive environment.

We look forward to future opportunities to collaborate and continue strengthening our shared impact.
@burnabyfamilylife @vlmfss 

With appreciation,
The M4Y Project Team
December 4th 16days of GBV: What’s digital GBV In December 4th
16days of GBV:

What’s digital GBV Intervention? 

Digital GBV interventions are online tools that support survivors of violence achieving improved safety planning processes, less decisional conflicts, and better accessibility and equity for intimate partner violence survivors. They vary in mobile applications, web-based platforms, and online social media modalities. Yet, involving digital interventions to address safety and mental health also comes with limitations such as abusers' control, unstable or unreliable internet connections, inability to afford the necessary devices for virtual support, as well as a lack of culturally appropriate resources. 
 
Adopting the intersectional mixed-methods approach, EW-M4Y research aims to inform the development of an interactive web app that builds individual and organizational resilience within the diverse immigrant communities in responding to relationship violence through improved pathways to safety, resources, and self-empowerment.

#EndGBV #NoMoreSilence #StandWithSurvivors
#16daysofactivism #16daysofactivismagainstgenderbasedviolence #noexcuseforonlineause #GBV #enhancingwellnessm4y #m4y
CALLING FOR FOCUS GROUP PARTICPANTS! What is a Fo CALLING FOR FOCUS GROUP PARTICPANTS!

What is a Focus Group?

Ans: Focus group is a qualitative research method that involves gathering a small, carefully selected group of individuals to discuss specific topics through guided facilitation. The goal is to collect participants' perceptions, attitudes, and opinions on a research topic through interactive group discussion and sharing of ideas.

If you live in Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, South Vancouver Island or the Okanagan? We want to hear from you! 💌

Language: English

Who: Immigrant women (adults) or youth (19-25) from Chinese-speaking, Eastern European, Filipino, Persian/Afghani, South Asian or Hispanic communities

Where: Women’s focus groups will be held in person at confidential locations in Vancouver, Fraser Valley, South Vancouver Island, and the Okanagan of BC. Youth focus groups will be held online

Participants will receive thank you gift cards for sharing your time with us.
Related transportation and childcare costs will be paid.
All steps will be taken to ensure safe and confidential participation.

Questions?
Contact us at 604-655-4760 or research.m4y@vlmfss.ca

We look forward to hearing from you!

#enahncingwellness #m4y #focusgroup #callingforfocusgroup #immigrantwomen #immigrantyouth #britishcolumbia #canadá
December 3rd. 16 days of GBV: Cyber-victimized yo December 3rd.
16 days of GBV:

Cyber-victimized young adults were more likely to have experienced forms of victimization such as stalking, doxing, trolling, sextortion, and sexual harassment. If you are experiencing online sexual violence, there are resources available: 
 
Digital Literacy, Internet Safety & Online Empowerment Education: 
https://www.thewhitehatter.ca/ 

BC Intimate Images Protection Service: 
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/public-safety/intimate-images/intimate-images-support 
 
Cybertip.ca :
Canada's topline for reporting online child sexual abuse and exploitation 
 
Needhelpnow.ca :
Support youths removing intimate images or videos shared online under the age of 18

#EndGBV #NoMoreSilence #StandWithSurvivors
#16daysofactivism #16daysofactivismagainstgenderbasedviolence #noexcuseforonlineause #GBV #enhancingwellnessm4y #m4y
Technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGB Technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) 

Recent years have seen an increase in incidents of online misogyny and online gender-based violence. Indigenous youth, sexually diverse and non-binary youth, youth with a disability, and girls and women of colour are at greater risk of cyber-victimization. According to the Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence: BC Anti-Violence Worker Technology, Safety and Privacy Survey Summary Report (BCSTH, 2022), 89.06% of survivors have experienced TFGBV in British Columbia, Canada, and that may consist of “threats and harassment via text messages or social media, sharing of non-consensual nude images, location tracking and/or stalking.” Researchers called for collaborations among all involved institutions from medical, legal, justice, education, and community-based partners to take on a bystander intervention approach to mitigate online violence and abuse. 
 
What role do you play in preventing technology-facilitated gender-based violence? Share your ideas with us!

#EndGBV #NoMoreSilence #StandWithSurvivors
#16daysofactivism #16daysofactivismagainstgenderbasedviolence #noexcuseforonlineause #GBV #enhancingwellnessm4y #m4y
2nd December 2025. 16 Days of GBV: Why Speaking U 2nd December 2025.
16 Days of GBV:

Why Speaking Up Matters

Violence—whether physical, emotional, digital, or psychological—affects individuals, families, and entire communities. It often operates in silence, hidden behind fear, shame, or the belief that nothing will change. But silence is what allows violence to grow. Speaking up is the first step toward breaking that cycle.

When someone speaks up—whether they are a survivor, a witness, or an ally—they create space for truth, safety, and accountability. Speaking up can:

Protect lives by preventing harm from escalating.

Empower survivors to seek help and rebuild their confidence.

Hold perpetrators accountable, creating safer environments.

Encourage others to share their experiences and seek support.

Change norms by showing that violence is not acceptable, not normal, and not invisible.

Everyone has a role in this. If you experience violence, your voice matters. If you witness violence, your action matters. If you are in a position to support someone, your empathy matters.

Speaking up does not always mean confrontation—it can mean telling a trusted person, reporting through available channels, seeking help from professionals, or simply listening to someone who needs to be heard. What matters is breaking the silence.

Together, through courage, support, and collective action, we can create communities where respect is the expectation, safety is the standard, and violence has no place.

#EndGBV #NoMoreSilence #StandWithSurvivors
#16daysofactivism #16daysofactivismagainstgenderbasedviolence #noexcuseforonlineause #GBV #enhancingwellnessm4y #m4y
December 1st 2025. 16 Days of Gender Based Violenc December 1st 2025.
16 Days of Gender Based Violence.

Increased prevalence and severity of IPV, DV, sexual and family violence were found in North America during COVID-19. Indigenous women and immigrant women are overrepresented in facilities of safe homes or shelters. Here is a list of culturally safe shelters and outreach services available in BC: 
 
VLMFSS @vlmfss 
Vancouver & Lower Mainland Multicultural Family 
Support Services Society 
VLMFSS is a nonprofit agency that supports immigrants, refugees, visible minorities, and women without immigration status and children facing family violence within the Metro Vancouver area. 
Website: https://vlmfss.ca/ 
Phone: 604 436 1194 
 
Nisa Homes @nisahome__ 
Nisa Homes provides shelter and support to Muslim women and children across Canada including British Columbia 
Website: https://nisahomes.com/ 
Phone: 1-888-315-6472 

Atira Women’s Resource Society @freeofviolence 
Atira is a non-profit organization that offers safe housing, education, and advocacy to women and children affected by violence. Atira has a diverse staff that speaks over 35 languages and dialects. 
Website: https://atira.bc.ca/ 
Phone: (604) 681-4437   
 
YWCA Japanese Outreach Program @ywcavan @ywcacanada 
Assists and supports female Japanese nationals who live or are physically located in Canada outside of the Jurisdiction and are dealing with abuse from an intimate partner or homestay situation.  

For more information, please contact Kozue Ito at kito@ywcavan.org or (604)209-1808

#EndGBV #NoMoreSilence #StandWithSurvivors
#16daysofactivism #16daysofactivismagainstgenderbasedviolence #noexcuseforonlineause #GBV #enhancingwellnessm4y #m4y
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5-year research initiative • A project of Vancouver & Lower Mainland Multicultural Family Support Services • Funded by Public Safety Canada

Project Phases

For more information please email m4y@vlmfss.ca or call us at 604.436.1025 ext. 140
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