Minister highlights report - Assessing Violence Against Women: A Statistical Profile

Violence against women remains a serious issue in this province and across the country. This is the key finding in the report recently released by Federal/Provincial/Territorial Status of Women Ministers entitled Assessing Violence Against Women: A Statistical Profile. Sandra Kelly, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, agrees with this finding and is highlighting the report to raise awareness about the prevalence and severity of acts of violence against women. The information contained in this document is a useful tool for government departments, equality-seeking women�s organizations, academics and community groups in charting progress and identifying the direction for future action to end violence against women.

"Each and every year we stand to recognize the anniversary of the Montreal Massacre and the thousands of women who lose their lives to violence in our communities," said Minister Kelly. "It is a sad and somber occasion which emphasizes the need to work to end violence against women in our province and our country. The Assessing Violence Against Women: A Statistical Profile helps to increase our understanding of the issues with solid statistical data."

The report focuses on spousal violence and shows that in this province nine per cent of women have been physically or sexually assaulted by a current or former spouse in the last five years. Fourteen per cent of women have been assaulted by a spouse in their lifetime. Women are much more likely than men ( 43 per cent vs. 16 per cent) to be victims of the most severe forms of spousal violence, including being beaten, choked, sexually assaulted or having a weapon used against them.

The statistics provided indicate some forty per cent of respondents in Newfoundland and Labrador agree that their community has become more violent, with women, young people and those with higher levels of education being more likely to agree; 72 per cent of women and 64 per cent of men consider their personal safety before going out into a public place; and while most people feel safe at home and at work, women are notably less likely to feel safe at work than their male counterparts.

The majority of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have a high level of concerns about violence and abuse against women, particularly in dating relationships. There are similarly high levels of concern about violence and abuse towards children, with a strong recognition of the impact of domestic violence. Ninety-three per cent of respondents agreed that children who witness violence and abuse in the home are abused by seeing it happen.

Minister Kelly noted: "We have made important strides in understanding the issue of violence in this province with the establishment of the Violence Prevention Initiative and the March 2002 Provincial Survey of Attitudes Towards Violence conducted on behalf of the Women�s Policy Office. This report provides another source of information. However, there is still much to be done and we must continue to work with our community partners and our federal /provincial/ territorial counterparts on the national front to establish proactive policies and programs to end violence against women. The indicators provided in this report will help ensure our policies and programs are driven by an informed understanding of the issue and will help us track progress."

Media contact: Janice Lockyer, Communications, (709) 729-1341

2002 12 19                                      10:40 a.m.