Survivors of gender-based violence in Napanee and Kingston will soon have better access to legal and counselling support after the Ontario government announced more than $26.7 million in new funding over two years for shelters and Family Court Support Worker services across the province.
As part of this investment, Resolve Counselling Services will receive a combined $438,750 over three years to support its Family Court Support Worker programs. The Kingston office will receive $65,000 annually, and the Napanee location will receive $81,250 annually.
Executive Director, Stafford Murphy says that they plan on hiring more staff in order to serve more of the community.
These programs provide vital help to survivors as they navigate the legal system, including court preparation, safety planning, emotional support, and referrals to housing, counselling and community services. Murphy explains why this position is essential.
The provincial funding is part of a larger effort to protect survivors and expand access to emergency shelter spaces. More than 65 shelters, including rural, remote, northern and Indigenous-led facilities, will benefit, helping ensure beds are available when needed. Ontario shelters serve over 12,000 women and dependents each year.
“Our government is taking action to end gender-based violence in Ontario,” said Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. “This investment will help frontline agencies provide survivors with a safe place to heal and rebuild their lives.”
The province is also increasing annual funding for Family Court Support Workers by $2.7 million. In 2024–25, the program assisted more than 10,500 survivors at 43 locations across Ontario. Executive director Murphy says that finally gender-based violence is getting the focus that it needs.
Resolve Counselling Services says the funding will help meet rising demand in Napanee and Kingston, allowing more survivors to access timely, trauma-informed support when facing family court proceedings. Murphy says that this isn’t only a Kingston-Napanee issue.
The announcement builds on Ontario’s four-year action plan to end gender-based violence, backed by more than $1.4 billion in investments, and its renewed $345 million Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy.
Story by Alyssa Brush
