Terms of Reference

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Terms of Reference: EndVAW.ca

EndVAW.ca

1. Purpose

The purpose of these Terms of Reference is to define the scope, roles, responsibilities, and decision-making processes for EndVAW.ca, a website that showcases the work of Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC).

This initiative is grounded in principles of safety, dignity, equity, confidentiality, and trauma-informed practice.

2. Background

Women’s Shelters Canada is a national organization that brings together 16 provincial and territorial shelter organizations and supports the over 600 shelters across the country for women and children fleeing violence. This website has been developed to:

  • Promote the work of Women’s Shelters Canada to potential donors, media, and the general public
  • Provide practical tools, guidance, and resources for shelters
  • Showcase WSC’s policy and research publications
  • Receive donations towards WSC’s work

3. Scope of the Initiative

The website and associated resources may include:

  • Educational content on gender-based and intimate partner violence
  • Research and policy publications
  • Sign-up forms for newsletters, events, and trainings
  • Links to external supports and community services
  • Tools to support organizational learning and capacity-building

The initiative does not collect personal disclosures of violence, provide individual advice, or act as a reporting or support service. The website does not provide crisis intervention, counselling, or legal advice.

4. Guiding Principles

This initiative is guided by the following principles:

  • Trauma-informed and survivor-centred approaches
  • Confidentiality and privacy
  • Equity, inclusion, and cultural safety
  • Do no harm
  • Respect for lived experience
  • Clarity about roles and limitations

Privacy and data protection practices for the website are governed by the initiative’s Privacy Policy, which outlines how limited personal information is collected, used, safeguarded, and retained.

5. Governance and Roles

5.1 Project Sponsor / Lead Organization

The Project Sponsor is responsible for:

  • Strategic oversight and accountability
  • Ensuring alignment with organizational values and mandate
  • Approving major content and policy decisions

5.2 Advisory Committee (if applicable)

An Advisory Committee may be established to:

  • Provide subject-matter expertise
  • Review content for accuracy, relevance, and sensitivity
  • Offer guidance based on lived and professional experience

Advisory members serve in a non-decision-making capacity unless otherwise specified.

5.3 Content Contributors

Content contributors may include subject-matter experts, service providers, or individuals with lived experience. Contributors:

  • Provide expertise within agreed parameters
  • Do not provide individual advice or support through the website

6. Decision-Making

  • Strategic decisions rest with the Project Sponsor
  • Content decisions may be informed by Advisory Committee feedback
  • Consensus will be sought where possible; final authority rests with the Project Sponsor

7. Risk Management and Safeguards

The initiative will:

  • Avoid content that could compromise safety
  • Use clear disclaimers regarding scope and limitations
  • Prioritize survivor safety in language, examples, and tools
  • Regularly review content to ensure continued relevance and appropriateness

8. Review and Updates

These Terms of Reference will be reviewed:

  • At major project milestones, or
  • At least annually once the website is live

9. Effective Date

These Terms of Reference take effect on: 1 March 2026