I'll speak in English if that's okay.
We have seen intimate partner violence leave or leave for people who are survivors of violence have some effectiveness. Job-protected leave is particularly important for people who are working.
Leaves are less helpful for many survivors who aren't in the workforce and who perhaps didn't have access to it. Some of the most profoundly impacted instances of intimate partner violence are folks who were prevented from engaging in the active workforce, so that may not be the best solution for folks in that situation.
As I said during my remarks, my view is that we have to shift our focus to what happens after the violence has reached a point that results in someone leaving, in the need for leave or worse, in the worst of cases. We have to switch our focus upstream. I would rather see leaves and resources being invested in prevention and in helping people get out of the situation that they're in.
One of my colleagues talked about the YWCA program. I think it's called the NESS program—the national emergency survivor support fund—which is a really small amount of money. We're hearing from survivors who say that the couple of thousand dollars made the difference. It was first and last month's rent. That money allowed them to fix their car so that they could leave. That small bit of help was what they needed to get out the door the last time and really leave the situation behind.
That echoes the recommendation that came out of the inquest in Renfrew county that took place a number of years ago. Recommendation 19 was for a similar fund. It would be a low barrier, easy-access fund referred through service providers in the community—not necessarily the justice system, because we know that many survivors don't go to the justice system looking for help. They go to other places in their community, whether it's shelter services or other services for survivors.
These are small grants. To be honest with you, these are hugely impactful for many people. The difference between staying and going can be really as simple as a few thousand dollars. I don't mean simple, but from a cost perspective, that's the best $2,000 a government could ever spend, if that's the difference and if that's what is holding someone back.