Doorway to Safety
Project
The Doorway to Safety Project is a pilot initiative led by the BC Society of Transition Houses (BCSTH), with generous support from Amazon Canada, to help survivors of domestic violence feel safer in and around their homes.
Through the project, 3,000 Amazon Ring Doorbell and Ring Camera devices, life-of-device subscriptions and tech safety resources will be provided at no cost to survivors across British Columbia (BC).
How can the devices support safety?
For some survivors, a Ring doorbell or camera can be an essential part of a broader safety plan. Depending on the individual circumstances, the device may help survivors:
- see who is at their door without opening it;
- monitor activity around their home;
- document unwanted contact or activity;
- know what is happening outside their home; and
- feel more secure in their home.
A device may not be a fit for everyone. Survivors will be supported by BCSTH member programs to determine whether a doorbell and/or camera supports their safety plan needs and home. BCSTH will be distributing survivor-centred resource materials and delivering virtual and in person training to BCSTH members about the safe use of the devices.
Why is this project needed?
BCSTH heard from domestic violence support workers and survivors through training, member meetings and the Tech Safe BC project that security devices could support survivor safety, but that the cost and availability can be significant barriers across the province.
The Doorway to Safety Project is designed to reduce these barriers by providing both the devices and a life-of-device subscription at no cost to eligible participants.
Reaching survivors across BC
The project will be delivered across BC through seven regional pilot sites that include BCSTH members and one site led by BCSTH. These sites will distribute devices, resources and safety planning materials to BCSTH member programs in their regions.
BCSTH’s member network reaches communities across seven regions of British Columbia, including urban, suburban, rural, northern, and remote communities. This regional approach is intended to ensure the devices are accessible to survivors across the province, including those in isolated communities.
A safety-planning approach
The Doorway to Safety Project is more than providing a device. It is about making technology available as one possible tool in a survivor’s safety plan.
Anti-violence workers will help survivors consider their individual circumstances, technology needs, and safety concerns when deciding whether, how and where a device may be useful and supportive.
Doorway to Safety is a pilot project. What BCSTH and its regional partners learn through the project will help inform future work to improve access to technology that can support survivor safety across the province.
Connect With Us
For more information or to access devices, please email info@bcsth.ca and place The Doorway to Safety Project in the subject line.