Intimate partner violence (IPV) and Gender-Based Violance (GBV) are recognized as critical public health crises, recently declared epidemics in 90 municipalities across Ontario. The establishment of the IPV/GBV Leadership Table in Windsor-Essex, highlights the urgent need for coordinated community responses. However, substantial barriers, particularly regarding resources, hinder the effective prevention and management of IPV. This project aims to leverage the insights and infrastructure provided by the Leadership Table and coordinate expertise across multiple educational institutions and social service agencies. The primary focus will be the co-development of an effective virtual training module to reach all levels of service provision, addressing gaps in existing training and fostering a holistic and proactice response to IPV. 

Bridging current gaps in IPV response, this initiative will establish a sustainable, integrated framework for addressing IPV in Windsor-Essex. Grounded in real-world applicaitons, the training will foster long-term changes across different sectors, resulting in increased knowledge and awareness among service providers, improved collaborative practices and policies, and enhanced safety and health outcomes for IPV survivors. 

Leveraged Funding
Thanks to the original WE-SPARK Igniting Discovery investment led by Amy Peirone, a network of IPV/GBV partners in Windsor-Essex mobilized to leverage nearly $2.5 million in provincial funding for a transformative initaitve. 

That funding supports Hiatus House's "A Hub Without Walls" project, which brings together more than 18 agencies to provide mobile, trauma-informed supports, education, prevention, and frontline cross-sector training. 

For Windsor-Essex, this means a more coordinated, survivor-centred system: services reach people where they are, barriers to access are lowered, and agencies can act in unison to prevent gender-based violence and better support survivors.

Media Articles

CTV News - $2.5 million going towards Gender-Based Violence Project

Andrew Dowie, MPP - Ontario Invests $2.4M in Hiatus House to Address Gender-Based Violence

Events

Amy Peirone and her team presented their research project and the importance of research at the WE-SPARK Cheers to Hope event in November of 2025.