The Women’s Institute for Safer Environments (WISE) are well known for their uniqueness in providing services for the prevention and end of violence against women here in Ottawa. WISE is a non-profit women's organization serving the Ottawa area and working to end violence against women through community safety audits, and personal safety workshops. They were established in 1992. The organization was formed when multiple cases of sexual assault cases were being reported in the city. A group of women gathered in concern and response to these cases.
As time built up and their organization grew in awareness and members including men, they began to be funded an 18-month grant by the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton.
Today they are funded by the city. Their focus is to create change based on the experiences of women in the society. The issue this organization takes up is violence. In 1992, they changed the name of their organization from Women's Action Centre Against Violence (WACAV) to Women’s Institute for Safer Environments (WISE) as the organization evolved and the new name would be easier for the community to quickly grasp their mandate and purpose. WISE reaches a wide range of people through social media platforms like Facebook where they promote their upcoming events.
They also have virtual hangouts during the pandemic where they cannot do gatherings in person. I argue that the WISE has been effective in establishing a safe environment against violence in the environment for women.