The Government of Canada has since March invested over $100 million in more than 1,000 shelters, sexual assault centres and organizations providing supports to women and children experiencing gender-based violence. We've been working with these organizations very closely.
What we're hearing from them is that they are extremely appreciative of this critical support, which has allowed them to keep their doors open and to provide safe, critical supports and services to those who are experiencing violence during the pandemic. In fact, our funding has helped more than 700,000 women and children during the pandemic.
What we're also hearing from shelters and sexual assault centres is that they are seeing more frequent and more severe forms of violence during the pandemic than they were seeing prior to it. I think that's consistent with what we're hearing from police services across the country as well.