Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation
DISTRICT 6A Thunder Bay
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Women’s Advocate Program

Why do we need a Women’s Advocate?

OSSTF/FESSO believes that the union has a role to play in assisting members who are experiencing workplace sexual harassment, intimate violence, and abuse.  Research has shown that 1 in 3 workers have experienced domestic violence in their lifetime and 82% of those workers reported that domestic violence had negatively affected their work performance.  This violence does not occur just at home.  53% of those workers said they had experienced violence at or near the workplace.  37% said that it negatively impacted their co-workers and 5% lost their job as a result of the domestic violence.

What does the OSSTF/FESSO Women’s Advocate do?

Women’s Advocates are not counsellors.  They are specifically trained volunteers who can provide support for women who may need assistance accessing workplace supports and community services or resources.  The Women’s Advocate can:

  • Provide members with information /resources to support them in dealing with domestic violence/harassment;
  • Connect with the local BU to support members who need necessary workplace supports;
  • Assists members in connecting with local community agencies that can assist them;
  • Provide additional advocacy to members as required;
  • Act as a resource to the district and bargaining unit local leaders on issues around gender/sexual violence and/or abuse;
  • Provide information/training to the district/bargaining unit members on issues around gender/sexual violence and/or abuse.

A Women’s Advocate:

Someone who can listen and help when a member is:

  • Facing violence or abuse in their relationship
  • Experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace
  • In need of community resources and/or workplace supports
  • Listen, believe, validate and assist
  • Respect confidentiality
  • Support a women’s right to make her own decisions

 

Women Advocates in District 6A

 

Jennifer – (807) 252-5510

Lisa – (807) 627-4450