Standing Committee on Justice Policy on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)
Despite substantial financial investments by the Province of Ontario in addressing IPV, we face significant challenges in achieving measurable results and ensuring stringent oversight. The issue is not the lack of funding but how these funds are utilized. Current strategies often lack the accountability and rigorous evaluation needed to demonstrate their effectiveness, resulting in inefficiencies and limited impact.
Lack of Measurable Results and Stringent Oversight
Many existing programs receive funding without stringent requirements for measurable outcomes. This leads to resource wastage and limited impact on communities most in need. To address IPV effectively, funding must be tied to measurable results and subjected to regular, transparent reporting and random checks. This will ensure accountability and maximize the return on investment (ROI) for public tax money.
The ORA Approach: Effective, Measurable, and Scalable
At ORA, our approach is both effective and measurable. Our Positive Male Identity program addresses key relationship issues and violence against women by fostering respectful and responsible behaviors among men. By focusing on economic stability, we reduce the stress and conflict that often lead to IPV. Our comprehensive job training and placement services have successfully helped participants achieve stable middle-income employment, significantly reducing IPV incidents among our clients.
In the first year of our program, none of our 61 clients have been arrested or charged with IPV. This remarkable outcome underscores the effectiveness of our economic stability initiatives in preventing IPV. Our program's success is measured through regular police record checks, enabling us to quantify the ROI for each dollar spent and provide tangible evidence of our program's impact.
Scalability
Our program is not only effective but also scalable. We plan to expand our Training and Monitoring Centres to new locations across Ontario, including Downsview, Barrie, Cobourg, Kingston, and Cambridge. By securing the necessary funding and implementing rigorous accountability measures, these centres will serve as models for future expansions, demonstrating the effectiveness of comprehensive integrated programs in reducing IPV and other forms of violence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we urge the committee to prioritize funding for programs that can demonstrate measurable success and implement rigorous accountability measures. By focusing on economic stability and positive male identity, we can create sustainable change and break the cycle of intimate partner violence in our communities. The Oaks Revitalization Association is committed to this mission, and with your support, we can ensure that public funds are used effectively to achieve meaningful outcomes.
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