WISE is partnering with the Ottawa Arts Council to bring you the 2023 Youth Arts Event. This poetry and multi-art competition invites youth between the ages of 13-18 to submit a piece on violence in any form (gender based, gang, political, verbal, neighbourhood, racial, …) from the perspective of “Survivor”. Deadline is October 30th, 2023.

WISE is offering a FREE workshop for women on basic car and bike safety and mechanics. 

WISE created a short video about intimate partner dating violence with our friends at Netroots UOttawa. 

WISE has relaunched a 1-hour workshop to engage boys around the ages of 8-12 in discussions about masculinity, gender norms, their relation to violence against women (VAW). 

WISE's Legal Education Program – emphasizing the notion that equality is not only gained through legal action, but through knowledge of the law and equality rights. The ultimate goal is to empower women to take control of their own safety and well-being as women are statistically more vulnerable to violence, harassment/stalking and sexual assault than men (Canadian Network of Women’s Shelters and Transition Houses, 2013). 

Do you work in an environment that makes you feel uncomfortable? Is your work station positioned so you are not aware of people arriving at your office space? Or, are there any specific safety issues concerning you at work?  If so, contact WISE to have a workplace safety audit done.    

Is there somewhere in Ottawa that you don't feel safe? Call on us at WISE to do a Community Safety Audit.  We’ve been working with individuals and groups concerned about safety issues for over 20 years Check out the benefits of a Community Safety Audit.

Personal safety is an important issue to all of us and WISE is dedicated to keeping people informed. For those interested in gaining a broader knowledge on this topic, we offer customized workshops just for you or your group.

WISE works with other women's organizations, community agencies, the Ottawa Police and others to collaborate on initiatives to end violence against women.

WISE participates in seminars, conferences and in- service training to incorporate the views of women and other vulnerable groups in the design and building of all sites.

In an effort to design safer environments for women, WISE collaborates with city planners, architects and local engineering firms. See here an example of WISE’S contribution during the time of design.

The Building Women Up Program is comprised of a 4-part workshop series designed to allow women to gain knowledge and skills in the area of basic home renovation and repair; with a particular emphasis on safety items.

Another project aimed toward Ottawa youth, is the Graffiti Removal Project. Youth, along with a facilitator, get involved in removing graffiti from public spaces where they hang out.

The Rural Engagement Safety project, conducted Community Safety Audits and facilitated Personal Safety Workshops for women and seniors in our rural areas of Ottawa. It is well understood that women and seniors in rural areas have concerns about significant issues with safety, maintenance, and mobility in rural areas of our city.

This is a specialized Personal Safety workshop designed for women who have experienced domestic violence. Women who take these Workshops have an opportunity to& join together and learn ways to increase their safety.

In this program, youth learn to take the leadership role in Community Safety Audits. See the photo here of one of our youth groups presenting their findings to a committee of Ottawa City Council.