Deadline: 27-Oct-22
The Defend Dignity is announcing its Survivor Support Fund to provide accessible financial support to individuals who have experienced any form of commercial sexual exploitation in Canada, such as prostitution, sex trafficking, intimate images being shared without consent, camming, escorting, massage parlours, strip clubs, survival sex, and/or involvement in pornography.
Defend Dignity (dD) works to end all forms of commercial sexual exploitation in Canada. dD is an initiative of The Alliance Canada. Commercial sexual exploitation includes pornography, strip clubs, escorts, massage parlors, prostitution, survival sex, camming and sex trafficking. All involve the selling or exchange of sexual acts which undermine the dignity of women, men and children and are detrimental to a healthy society.
Defend Dignity works to end all forms of commercial sexual exploitation through:
- Raising awareness on the realities of sexual exploitation through events and resources.
- Advocacy for law and policy reform with all levels of Government and with companies and organizations.
- Aiding survivors through the Survivor Support Fund and First Response Bags.
The Defend Dignity Survivor Support Fund was created to provide accessible financial support to individuals who have experienced any form of commercial sexual exploitation in Canada, such as prostitution, sex trafficking, camming, escorting, massage parlours, strip clubs, survival sex, pornography and/or their intimate image(s) being shared without consent.
The age requirement to access the fund is 16 years of age and over. Defend Dignity recognizes that every application they receive for funding is significant. Due to the number of applications Defend Dignity receives and limited funds available not every application will be awarded funds. Defend Dignity encourages agencies/churches to reapply in the next SSF Intake session if the need is still relevant or a new need has emerged.
Funding Information
A maximum of $2,000 can be accessed per person who receives assistance from this fund per calendar year.
Acceptable Uses of the Fund
The Survivor Support Fund can be used to assist an individual who has experienced commercial sexual exploitation. The list includes:
- Paying off debt/fines.
- Paying pardons.
- Tuition for further education.
- Paying rent/utility bills.
- Household items.
- Computers/cell phones.
- Medical/dental care.
- Mental health supports/counselling/support animals.
- Obtaining identification documents and licenses.
Eligibility Criteria
The requirements for a referral to Defend Dignity Survivor Support Fund are as follows:
- The application must be completed and submitted by a staff member from a nonprofit agency or church within Canada.
- A completed application form.
- A letter from the survivor requiring the funds describing the need, the reason for application, and how the fund will be used.
Application Process
- To ensure you qualify with the criteria, you must read through the Fund Policy before applying.
- The application must be completed and submitted by a staff member from an agency or church within Canada.
- Submit a completed application form.
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The application includes a letter from the individual requiring the funds describing the need, the reason for application, and how the fund will be used. The applicant is welcome to have assistance in composing the letter if needed. This letter can be 1-2 pages long and should explain the following:
- A brief overview of the applicant’s story (no details required).
- Why the applicant needs funds, and what they are needing funds for specifically.
- An explanation of how the fund will support the applicant in their journey towards healing.
- A brief description of what other avenues the applicant has pursued for financial assistance.
- Why the applicant believes they are an appropriate candidate to receive this fund.
- An explanation of the accountability the individual will hold themselves to should they receive the fund.
- Anything else the individual feels is pertinent to their application for funding.
For more information, visit Defend Dignity.
For more information, visit https://defenddignity.ca/survivor-support-fund/