The COVID-19 pandemic has brought with it a series of new practical challenges for organizations providing social services across Canada, as well as increases in mental, physical and financial stress. As a result of the pandemic, recent data suggests that rates of domestic violence across Canada will see a 20-30% surge. Conversations with The Centre’s service provider partners and information sharing within the anti-trafficking field, highlight how the sector is continuing to provide both in-person and remote services as sadly, violence escalates, and the needs of survivors continue.
COVID –19 and human trafficking
Anti-trafficking advocates and survivor leaders, like Rhonelle Bruder, warn that children are at an increased risk for grooming, online exploitation and trafficking. Polaris, a U.S. based NGO suggests that trafficking survivors are also at an increased risk of violence as a result of a pandemic and, as such, social service organizations have been tasked with responding. The complexities of navigating COVID-19 add to the list of challenges already faced by community-based organizations, which include limited capacity in shelters and treatment centres, long waitlists for services, and a lack of affordable housing options, to name a few.
Research has shown that for a victim of human trafficking to safely leave their trafficker, there needs to be a plan to ensure their basic needs are met while apart from the trafficker. Covenant House Toronto recently published a detailed report that explores the barriers that exist for people exiting sex trafficking situations. While exit plans could include items that meet a person’s physical, emotional, and financial needs, meeting these basic needs is difficult when physical person-to-person contact has been highly discouraged by public health experts, and access to critical support services is restricted.
The Impact of COVID-19 on shelters in Canada
Violence against women shelters, youth shelters and transitional housing units have implemented COVID-19 screening measures as part of their general intake processes. In some residences, staff have taken on the role of cooking for the group to reduce potential contamination in shared kitchen facilities. Residents have also been asked to limit their access to the community. Shared accommodation among two or more residents must be rethought in the event that a client tests positive for COVID-19, and some shelters are providing private dorms to allow for increased social distancing. This will likely impact the shelter system’s capacity to accept new clients. Homeless shelters typically tend to serve a higher number of people daily, often in a large shared space, creating increased risk of COVID-19 transmission amongst clients and staff. Again, there is a recognition that reducing the shelter capacity means fewer clients being housed and serviced than before. Shelters have advocated for service users to be rapidly rehoused or given private spaces in hotels and other community buildings. As a result, some street-involved persons have elected to move back onto the streets for safety reasons. Individuals living with addictions may also have the added barrier of producing a negative COVID-19 test to qualify for admission to residential treatment centres. With limited tests available and guidelines that dictate who falls in the priority test population, individuals are not able to access in-patient substance supports like before. The current restrictions on movement may also be re-traumatizing for people who have left human trafficking situations or other violent relationships where surveillance of movement was a tactic of power and control.
The Shift Away from In-Person Service Delivery
Supportive organizations that would normally offer in-person peer support, drop-in hours, counselling, case management, mental health services, and legal services, have shifted to providing these key services remotely using various digital platforms including Zoom, text, web chat and telephone. In some communities, food and basic need delivery systems have also been established remotely. Providing remote services requires time and capital to purchase software and implement proper privacy standards. Remote services may also require additional staff training to ensure that service provision continues in ways that are trauma-informed and provide safety, respect and care for those accessing services. Direct service providers are adapting and working hard to meet the needs of clients, but the element of uncertainty of this pandemic creates a heightened chance that victims and survivors might fall through the system’s gaps.
A Federal Response to these Challenges
In early April, the Federal Government announced that it would provide $50 million in new funding to sexual assault and domestic violence shelters across the country, and $157.5 million to address the needs of Canadians experiencing homelessness. The funding will assist community agencies’ move to remote service provision/supports to meet the physical distancing regulations from public health officials. On April 21st, an additional $350 million was allocated to enhance community access to necessary social services, $15 million of which has been earmarked for an Indigenous Community Support Fund. Some Indigenous organizations serving urban Indigenous populations have been critical of the process and the lack of support for non-status and urban-based Indigenous populations. Provincial and municipal governments and various foundations have also been responding to the crisis with added social sector funding. Unfortunately, organizations who rely predominantly on fundraising dollars are experiencing challenges as they have been forced to cancel or postpone fundraising events. COVID-19 is, of course, also having a financial impact amongst many past and ‘would be’ donors. Donations of food and other goods have also been restricted due to public health guidelines and the inability to adequately sanitize items. Imagine Canada has compiled a list of resources for the not-for-profit sector during COVID-19, including pieces on the Emergency Community Support Fund and fundraising strategies during a pandemic.
It is difficult to say what the social service sector will look like in the aftermath of COVID-19. Like many private sector businesses, some social service organizations have closed, or may eventually be forced to close. Imagine Canada has projected a reduction in revenue for Canadian charities falling around the $9- $15 billion mark, which may result in the loss of 10,000 staffed positions. In an already under-resourced sector with significant gaps, this is alarming. While this is a time of significant difficulty and unprecedented change for everyone in Canada, community agencies have stepped up to these new challenges with humility, grace, and perseverance. We are inspired by the creative efforts being made to re-house people without housing, the compassion and commitment we see from partners towards those seeking support, the flexibility in creating new pathways to access care, and all those who are advocating for ongoing comprehensive supports and resources. The social services sector continues to be an essential piece of infrastructure in supporting communities across Canada, and we are proud to be partnered with them.
Additional Resources
Guidance for providers of services for people experiencing homelessness (in the context of COVID-19)
CNH3: Resources to help the homelessness sector respond to a COVID-19 outbreak
Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters: Interim Guidelines for Women’s Shelters During COVID-19
Imagine Canada: Keeping Your Non-Profit on Track
Imagine Canada and Grant Connect: Resources for Canadian Fundraisers
Response Framework for People Experiencing Homelessness during COVID-19