Two nonprofit organizations are coming together to combat gender-based violence in Saskatchewan specifically targeted at black women.

Recently, Future Black Female and the Truly Alive Youth and Family Foundation hosted a roundtable discussion with local service providers such as the Saskatchewan Health Authority, Family Services Saskatoon, The Open-Door Society, and Global Gathering Place.

Anthony Olusola with TAYFFI says in Canada, 42 per cent of black women report experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) or domestic abuse, but there are no Saskatchewan-specific statistics available – yet. The goal of the discussion was to spread awareness, gather data, and bring together service providers which can equip victims with the right tools.

“We are using a multi-pronged inter-agency action plan to name the issue and then solve the problem that exists, as well as work toward preventing occurrence.”

He says prior to colonial infiltration, people of African ancestry revered and respected women, but something has changed. He notes that there are two other factors that perpetuate these types of violence: recent migrants coming from a culture where women are not respected, and the acts of migrant youth who are trying to fit in.

These are the types of systemic issues that the group hopes to identify and hopefully develop solutions for in the coming months and years.