Emergency Survivor Fund

Purpose of the Fund

The purpose of the Emergency Survivor Fund (ESF) is to provide prompt financial support for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. The ESF is designed to help survivors in need of emergency support including safety, mental health, and basic needs. Applications are encouraged from any Brock community member who has acute needs related to an experience of gender-based violence or sexual violence.  

Application Review Process

The Gender and Sexual Violence Funding Allocation Committee (GSVFAC) was established to accept, review, and approve funding applications for the ESF. The GSVFAC is a diverse group of university stakeholders who use an intersectional, anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, and harm-reduction approach to review funding submissions for the ESF.   

Applications for the ESF are anonymized before review by the committee. Only the Human Rights and Equity Office’s Executive Assistant, the Gender and Sexual Violence Intake Manager, and a Brock Finance staff member will have access to personal identifiers. The Executive Assistant or Intake Manager will remove identifying information prior to presenting applications to the committee. Personal identifiers are not included in annual reports.

Eligible or Ineligible Expenses

There is no predetermined list of eligible or ineligible expenses for reimbursement through this Emergency Survivor Fund. Rather, the fund is purposefully designed to make funding accessible for survivors that may mitigate harm and/or meet any of their emergency practical and material needs.    

Expenses must be directly related to the survivor’s experience of gender-based or sexual violence.

Examples of eligible expenses include:    

  • Emergency child care  
  • Emergency relocation (e.g., moving costs, temporary housing, hotel stays)  
  • Transportation costs 
  • Safety measures (e.g., changing locks, security cameras, personal safety devices)
  • Medical services and medications 

This list is not exhaustive. All applications must be made in consultation with the Gender and Sexual Violence Intake Manager, who will confirm eligibility. Individuals may apply once every 12 months.

The ESF is allocated $10,000 per funding year (April 1 to March 31). There is a one-time annual funding cap of $1000 per application and a lifetime cap of $3000.   

Submit an Application

Applications are assessed on an as-needed basis, usually within 7 days of receipt. You must complete a consultation with the Gender and Sexual Violence Intake Manager prior to applying.

To begin the application process, please email [email protected].