The BC Society of Transition Houses has launched a pilot to provide Ring video doorbells and cameras to domestic violence survivors across B.C. at no cost.
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On Friday, the BC Society of Transition Houses (BCSTH) announced a new pilot program, “Doorway to Safety,” supported by Ring, aimed at helping survivors of domestic violence feel safer in and around their homes across British Columbia.
BCSTH says the project will supply 3,000 Ring Video Doorbells and Ring Cameras, including subscriptions that are set to last for the life of the devices, with no cost to survivors. The organization plans to distribute the devices through programs it runs, using the technology as an option within a broader safety plan for each survivor.
BCSTH executive director Amy S. FitzGerald said the partnership will enhance safety at home and described technology as a support for people rebuilding their lives. She also pointed to “Housing security and financial independence” as two of the biggest protective factors for survivors.
FitzGerald’s comments linked the program’s device distribution to practical risk-reduction as survivors move into new housing. The organization also framed the pilot as a response to the reality that leaving an abusive relationship does not always end stalking, harassment or fear.
Brooke Belkin, the BCSTH Board of Director’s Chair, Director of Youth, and Women Services for the Canadian Mental Health Association for the Kootenays, Cranbrook, said the pilot also addresses financial strain that can follow an escape. She noted that survivors may face a choice between paying for essentials such as rent and groceries and purchasing technology that could help them feel safer.
Belkin said having “another tool to help them know what is happening around their home” can provide “an important sense of safety and control” as survivors rebuild their lives. BCSTH also said the partnership will benefit its Bursary Fund.
BCSTH stated that the BCSTH Bursary Fund will be supported through the partnership, providing bursaries to women pursuing education, training, employment, and entrepreneurial goals. The organization said the fund has awarded $536,548 to 198 recipients, supported 20 businesses, and indirectly benefited 284 children.
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