The Inuktitut-language family violence crisis line is for women and children who are in crisis and looking to leave an abusive situation. (Photo by Daron Letts)
Inuktitut-language crisis line a means of escape for women and children
On-call Inuktitut-speakers ready to help callers navigate away from family violence
Inuktitut-speaking women and children have another place to turn to if they experience violence at home.
YWCA Agvik Nunavut Society launched an Inuktitut-language family violence crisis line in May.
Inuktitut-speaking women and children who are in crisis and looking to leave an abusive household can reach the line from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. seven days a week. Inuktitut-speaking staff are on call to listen to callers and provide help with information and action.
“If people who are in danger know that there is someone who speaks Inuktitut to reach out to, they would reach out more,” said Sherri Robertson, executive director at YWCA Agvik.
“It’s really hard when you’re stressed out to express yourself even in your first language, so to do it in your second language is even more challenging.”
Women in Nunavut are the victims of violent crime at a rate more than 13 times higher than the rate for women in Canada as a whole, according to 2020 statistics from Women and Gender Equality Canada.
YWCA Agvik is part of an international organization protecting the rights of women. In Iqaluit, 34 staff provide transitional housing and supported-living services to women in need, as well as their children.
The society operates the Qimaavik Family Violence Shelter, a 24-hour emergency shelter and crisis intervention support for women and children fleeing violence. The shelter offers access to services for trauma and displacement caused by violence and abuse.
Qimaavik means “a place to run” in Inuktitut. The facility has a capacity for 26 women and children.
“Even at times when we are full, when you’re in danger we take you in,” said Robertson.
The Inuktitut-language family violence crisis line is 867-222-4553 from 8 p.m. until 8 a.m., for women and children who are in crisis and looking to leave an abusive situation. Overnight, those speaking English can also call that number or they can phone 867-979-4500.
During the day, help is available in Inuktitut and English by phoning 867-979-4500.
Hopefully someone will monitor the statistics to identify whether the new number is used and whether there is adequate staff to support it.
On another note, regarding “…according to 2020 statistics from Women and Gender Equality Canada.” why are we getting stats from that source rather than a reputable one?
Also, regarding, “YWCA Agvik is part of an international organization protecting the rights of women” why are we using international agencies when we have all of Canada and Nunavut’s resources?
Is the agency funded by “international” money rather than Canadian taxpayers?