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A First Nations-led wildfire evacuee centre in B.C. is taking steps to ensure survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) receive the unique support they need.
“When evacuees do get registered, their accounts and their information are confidential,” said Tyrell Williams, emergency response director for Shxwhá:y Village, about 80 kilometres east of Vancouver.
“So they’re not open to the public to go, and for anyone to go and like, try to find them.”
Intimate partner violence is the most prevalent source of violent victimization against women, accounting for 45 per cent of all violent incidents reported to the police.
A 2021 study found one in six Indigenous women had experienced at least one form of IPV in the past year, and 86 per cent of 2SLGBTQ+ Indigenous women had experienced IPV in their lifetime compared to 59 per cent of non-2SLGBTQ+ Indigenous women.
A UN report says climate change intensifies social and economic stresses that fuel rates of intimate partner violence, and estimated one in 10 cases of IPV will be linked to climate change by the end of the century.
Although the report’s estimates excluded wildfires, it said wildfires were one of the climate disasters that increase drivers resulting in intimate partner violence.
Williams said Shxwhá:y Village provides a range of services to all evacuees fleeing fires and has cultural supports for Indigenous evacuees like crafts, drumming, songs, and elders.
Between 70 and 80 families checked into Shxwhá:y Village’s evacuation centre.
Tyrell Williams, emergency response director of Shxwhá:y Village, says the centre has supported evacuees who are in intimate partner violence situations, but isn’t able to give details due to confidentiality. (Tom Coule/CBC)
“We have done our best to create a safe space, and we’ve had all different types of resources on-site and ready to step in when they see fit,” said Williams.
Williams said the centre has supported evacuees who are in intimate partner violence situations, but wasn’t able to give details due to confidentiality.
‘It doesn’t stop’
Ann Davis Transition Society is one of the many service providers connected with Shxwhá:y Village’s evacuation centre.
Robbi Leach, director of programs at the transition society, said staff at the evacuation centre will reach out to Ann Davis to help support individuals that need extra care.
“Being uprooted and moved from where you are in a traumatic situation is, as we know, traumatic as it is,” said Leach.
“But when you are a woman fleeing with children or by yourself or gender diverse… you don’t always have the security of knowing what supports are out there after this happens.”
Leach said survivors of intimate partner violence are dealing with an immense amount of stress not only because of an evacuation, but also because of enduring ongoing abuse.
“What’s happening the day before the emergency, is happening the day of the emergency,” said Leach.
“It doesn’t stop.”
An opportunity for escape
Angela Marie MacDougall, executive director of Battered Women’s Support Services in Vancouver, said the wildfire evacuation process often provides additional opportunities for abusers to exert control.
“I’ve talked to women who talked about how they’re getting an earful of abuse from their abusive partner while they’re trying to just register into the receptionist,” said MacDougall.
“There’s other factors of access control over the emergency, if there’s any emergency assistance, if there’s emergency hotels, withholding financial information…. It’s scary for many people, and the situation is already traumatizing.”
Angela Marie MacDougall is the executive director of Battered Women’s Support Services in Vancouver. (Ben Nelms/CBC)
MacDougall said sometimes an evacuation situation creates an opportunity for people to escape their abuser because of the greater access to resources at the evacuation hub.
“All those kinds of outreach resources that come to a centre, it may be a way to kind of hide … accessing other services, too,” MacDougall said.
Leach said Ann Davis Transitional Society once supported a woman who fled her abuser during the catastrophic flooding in Abbotsford, B.C. in 2021.
“First and foremost, everything is upheaved. Right? So it’s like get going, get out,” said Davis.
“When you’re looking for an opportunity to get away… opportunities don’t come as often as we would think they would.”
As of Wednesday there were 19 evacuation orders in B.C. due to wildfires, five issued by First Nations communities.
A spokesperson for B.C.’s Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness said in a statement Emergency Support Services (ESS) staff are trained to support evacuees fleeing intimate partner violence and has recently changed funding requirements.
“Recent improvements to ESS allow more flexibility for evacuees to make their own decisions about how to meet their needs, including the option of receiving $200 per night instead of hotel room referral,” said the statement.
If you’re in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911. If you’re affected by family or intimate partner violence, you can look for help through crisis lines and local support services.