The Refugee and Immigrant Family Strengthening Program (RIFS) provides information and orientation in a group setting to prevent the perpetration of family or intimate partner violence (physical, psychological, emotional or sexual) in clients’ lives and provides support to families and individuals exposed to family or intimate partner violence. This program model also includes one-on-one para-counselling, advocacy, outreach and referral services. RIFS staff may also accompany clients to some off-site appointments, such as meetings with Victims Services, lawyers, court hearings, and police reports.
Eligible clients are permanent residents, both newly arrived and those in their first four years of arrival. In extraordinary circumstances, non-permanent residents or clients who have resided in Canada longer than four years may qualify for RIFS services.
